In fact, mindset determines how we respond to anything that happens to us, wouldn’t you agree? I have experienced that more than ever over the years as seemingly impossible events occurred. I mean, if someone had told me these things happened to them, I would have thought it was downright bizarre. But you know what they say—truth is stranger than fiction.
(Irrelevant here, but my husband’s version of this is truce is stranger than friction—which is very true of current times!)
But nothing is permanent, you know? Things change, moods change and like it or not, we move on most of the time.
Mindset is everything.
And my default mindset state is gratitude.
So let me present to you the mixed bag that was November!
As is typical of life, we get the rough with the smooth and I firmly believe that the smooth feels way smoother thanks to the rough.
Here we go!
Let me start off with a weird happening. My faithful 15-year-old laptop table decided to break. Yes, break! This is a mini computer table with wheels that I roll to whichever spot I like to park myself at home. So that fine morning, I wheeled it as usual into the part of the house that’s filled with sunlight. Halfway through, I felt a strange thing – the table seemed to swing from side to side. I hurriedly cleared it, removing the laptop and other stuff in the pull-out under it and carefully almost lifted it into the room. Turned out the part where the top is fixed to the sides had splintered a little. Thinking I was being clever, I thought why not remove the top and use the pull out as the surface. Well who knew the top was the thing holding the entire thing together? Yep, you guessed it. The table almost collapsed. I’ve now placed it against a wall where it wont hurt anyone for the time being until I decide what to do with it. Sigh.
So I thought I need a new table. After looking around, it suddenly occurred to me – why buy one? Why not manage without one? Because I can. I use my son’s desk. And all’s well with the world. Grateful to have a ready-made solution, even if I didn’t see it right away! Especially when I am keen on purging, right? I am glad I changed my mindset. See?
So yes, I’ve been clearing out stuff as well. It’s an amazing feeling when people receive happily. And let me tell you, it isn’t always easy to give away stuff. As the giver we might think, wow, I am giving away this fabulous thing. But there’s no rule the recipient should feel the same. Case in point: when I moved out of Hyderabad, I had three trunks full of books to give away and no takers during that time frame. Can you believe that? Truth. Grateful I have happy recipients. It means a lot to me!
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Grateful for samosas. Seriously! I am crazy about them and was delighted when my husband unexpectedly bought a couple on his way home from his meeting. This place from where he bought it is one of my favorites. I was having a rather exasperating day and this simply snapped me out of it. I sat and enjoyed every tiny bite! This happy feeling will tide me over until my next samosa which may or may not be next month. I can hope, right?
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Oh, by the way, my desktop computer crashed again. Raise your hand if you missed reading this during the last two months! Turned out this time the RAM was faulty and the OS would not load. Sigh. So, got that fixed. Grateful to have found someone nearby to do it.
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Saw a movie! Big deal, right? But no. I don’t go to the movies often but this one, I was eagerly waiting for it! Bohemian Rhapsody was everything I had hoped for. A biopic on the legendary Freddie Mercury, whose fan I’ve been since the 70s, it was brilliantly played by Rami Malek. I loved it.
I felt so happy! Are you a fan of Queen? Did you see the movie?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqVCyn_n7fW/
On the work front, I connected with an old associate and we will be working together again. So happy about this. And very grateful to be blessed with clients who are appreciative. I was just wishing for regular writing work and the Universe listened!
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I continue to enjoy working with my publishers and feel privileged to work with wonderful authors. Such a blessing! It isn’t always easy but nothing ever is, right? In the big picture, all is good!
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Oh yes, on the reading front, I am systematically checking off Allison Brennan’s books. I love it when an author creates series with the same character – and as I move from book to book, these characters feel like family. How fortunate am I to have more books than I could possibly read in this life time! Happiness definitely is a good book and coffee!
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During the days when my system took time off, I simply stepped out and had a good time with my friend. We enjoyed wonderful lunches together and then roamed around an area in the city that neither of us had been to. Then we put the finishing touch to it by checking out an exports surplus sale where we simply had to get some retail therapy. Happy memories. I am so grateful to have friends who like doing similar stuff.
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In the meantime, Bonusapp wrote to me saying they had featured my health blog Be Healthy, Be Happy in their list of top ten Indian fitness blogs. What a nice feeling to be noticed!
By the way, I light lemon lamps every Friday when I pray for everyone’s health and happiness. My friends believe in this so implicitly they actually send in specific requests. I am not religious or anything but I do have a couple of practices that make me feel good. So, when I posted a pic of it one Friday on Instagram, I received a few messages requesting me to post a pic every week. I thought that was so sweet! And lest I forget, someone actually messaged me to remind me today.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqjOJQQlfb1/
And, the biggest happening of November was *drum-roll* my son turning 21.
21!!! It seems like we brought him home just the other day and were nervous about handling this delicate little baby. Then we blinked three times and voila! He’s 21. I am grateful to be his Mom. I think he has helped me be a good parent as much as I’ve tried my best to raise him in the best way I can. It is heart-warming to see how much he is loved where he lives now. I can’t wait for him to come home for his break—which is from next Friday. Yay!
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There’s lots more to feel grateful for – you know how the little things build up into the great stuff!
One thing is certain, when things look bleak, I’ve learned to look at the silver linings because there’s always something good in even the darkest situation. Focusing on the good bits helps me keep my spirits up and yes, my mindset in a positive place.
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I am grateful for my life, my family, my friends, my work.
How was November for you?
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Please join me for the November 2018 Gratitude Circle. My loving thanks to all those who link up every month.
Grab the badge, write your post and add the post URL to the linky below.
18 comments
Yes, Vidya, just like you I was blown away by the Queen biopic. My 20 year-old hasn’t watched it yet and planning to go again soonest, with her.
I noticed you have been having a tech dysfunction for a while now, especially this year. Happens. For me it would mean maybe a sign to relish the real world more than the tech one. Or maybe I could be all wrong. Lol!
Congratulations on the listing. Not surprising at all. 🙂
Your lemon lamps are so beautiful. Are they made of lemon rinds? Tell me a bit more about this ritual. Sounds fascinating.
Love reading your gratitude list always. Warms the cockles of my heart.
Big hugs for a dashing December, and a splendid wrap up to the year.
https://natashamusing.com/2018/11/big-hearts-make-a-big-difference-givingtuesday-projectwhydelhi/
Natasha recently posted…Big Hearts Make A Big Difference: #GivingTuesday #ProjectWhyDelhi
A change in mindset is everything, truly. And thank you for the reminder 🙂
Such a lovely post! First off, wishing Vidur a very happy belated birthday. Wishing him continued happiness and success.
I loved the ritual of lemon diya, never heard of it before. How does one prepare the diya?
Aditi recently posted…Finding Autumn Magic in the New Forest | Aditi’s Pen
I Have been waiting for your posts vidya:) and glad that to read today:) true Mind set is everything, happy birthday to vidur once again. congrats to you for the award, and I love your lamp and also the concept. Thanks for being so generous – praying for friends is such a noble gesture,keep shining as this light. You are simply dynamic in the way you respond to issues in your life:)
Oh yes, I couldn’t agree more….A change in mindset is all that you need to change the situation, or at least how you live with it. And, of course, gratitude that nothing is permanent and that the Universe cares about you more than you can imagine!
Everything is transient and it’s something I try hard to remember especially in tough times. You’ve had a few tech issues this year but I love how you see the silver linings. I think having gratitude as a mindset is helpful; I’ve been trying a lot harder this year to develop it and keep it going. November sounds like it was a good month. You must be excited to have your son coming back home. I really wish I could’ve met you during my short trip here. Hope December is a fabulous month!
Sanch @ Sanch Writes recently posted…November 2018 Reflections
Reading your posts gives me strength every time Vidya. You turn the impossible Into positive with such beautiful thought process. I love doing my posts for this circle and look forward every month.
You are so right about mindsets – if only I could borrow some of yours for myself too
I went to watch Bohemian Rhapsody on your recco and so glad I did. It’s just superb and I might just catch it with my sister here again.
The lemon lamps are intriguing and I was wondering to know more about them to start this practice myself -Will message you for this.
Have a blissful and abundant December Vidya
shalzmojo recently posted…#Gratitude – A novel November
Really wonderful blog you have. You are appreciable for your good content. Keep it up dear.
You are an inspiration. And your husband is very clever. Happy birthday to your son! I should join in but not sure there will be time. I’ve been writing like crazy in November and am currently addicted to rereading and editing. 🙂 Be well!
[…] This is a monthly gratitude post on my blog and I am linking up with Vidya’s gratitude blog hop. […]
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I love reading your monthly news about what makes you grateful. It’s amazing how you find something to be grateful for even in adverse circumstances. I assure you I wouldn’t have taken a broken computer so calmly least of all found a reason to be grateful ( the son’s desk which as it turned out was superfluous). I do wish I could also find time to light lamps in the evening – there’s something so calming about that but I’m always so tied up with getting the kids ready for bed that the moment goes by in a flash. Perhaps it is something to work towards in the new year.
BellyBytes recently posted…Giving thanks for November # GratitudeCircle
Thank you so much Sunita! Glad you are part of the Gratitude Circle. I like to believe spending time with kids is a kind of meditation in itself. Joyful moments you can never rewind! As for the broken computer, it has happened so many times over the last two years I’ve just learned to live with it, deal with it. I enjoy my time offline and it has taught me to manage my time better! Thanks again!
Happy 21st to Vidur! I love your lemon lamps and the ritual What a beautiful one. And the computer issues? Not again 🙁
Congrats on the listing. I am not surprised. You are awesome.
Have a wonderful December with Vidur. I love reading you and you know I am grateful to you for showing me the way towards gratitude. hugs.
Parul Thakur recently posted…Gratitude List – November 2018
Thank you Parul! Thank you for your kind words. As for the computer issues—water off a duck’s back! I anyway spend more time offline than on, so have learned to deal with it. Hugs!
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Uff too bad about the table crashing and then the laptop. You seem to be having too much trouble with that for some time now, isn’t it? And yet I see you handle it with so much composure. Attitude really is everything. It’s cute that you’re grateful for samosas – I’d be too, specially if the Husband got it from my fav place. Lemon lamps is a sweet idea, seems to usher in positivity.
I’m glad the linky is still open and I can join in your Gratitude Circle. As always I’m happy to be able to do so.
Obsessivemom recently posted…Life’s better with friends #GratitudeCircle
Thank you so much for being part of the Gratitude Circle, Tulika! Yes, seems like technology and its accessories aren’t my BFFs right now, but I am sure this too shall pass. I guess I am cool with it since I only met the internet when I was around 34 years old. That too, a rudimentary version. Life is good – we just gotta look in the right places. Sending you love!