Life is short. Make every hair flip count. All we have is now.
The profound truth that life is short and all we have is now is oddly heart-breaking—to think that this moment we have will never come back makes me feel a bit lost. Does it make you feel that way, too?
This week, the world lost a wonderful human being in Kobe Bryant, American basketball player, who was just 41. It was overwhelming to see how much he is loved. Life is short.
And then, there are the personal losses of those who didn’t make it to the news. Unexpected losses that hit them from nowhere right in the middle of their routine.
It got me thinking.
- I can never afford to take anything for granted.
- I cannot complain about anything because when I stand back to look at it, it seems insignificant compared to what’s going on around us.
- I must constantly appreciate everything I’ve got right now.
- I must tell my loved ones that I love them, every single day!
Because life is short. All we have is now.
We do not know when tragedy will hit us. We do not know how long this happy moment will last. What we can do is cherish every little thing and fully live in the moment.
I tried my best to do that this month.
♥
January 2020 began with travel. I was off to Chennai to attend my Uncle’s 80th birthday celebrations. It was a lovely experience. He is much loved in the family and the event was well attended. I got to meet cousins I hadn’t seen in decades. It felt good.
I wanted to wear a silk saree but didn’t have a matching blouse that fit. I didn’t allow that to deter me, though. I pulled it off with a crop top for a blouse. And was told it looked great. I am glad I had the guts to do it. I am so grateful for my Uncle, who was my pillar during my childhood. I would not be the person I am today had it not been for his loving nurturing, especially after my Mom returned home to her cup of peace.
I sometimes feel sad that he’s the only one still around among my Mom’s seven siblings. But I am also grateful that I have nice memories to treasure. And I can’t believe that in a week, it will be ten years since my Mom passed away.
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On 7 Jan, I accompanied my son back to college, as I’ve done every year for the past five years. It was bitterly cold and rainy but I didn’t want to miss the trip, as this is his final semester there. It is lovely to spend time there. I stay in a hostel room and eat at the mess with the students. I walk around on the campus, enjoying nature and especially the poplar trees, watch the puppies and the peacocks wandering around and my heart fills with joy.
I meet friends there who welcome me with bear hugs and have a pleasant time. I returned home, very conscious that all we have is now. This time next year, we have no idea where my son will be—so we intend to make the most of every minute we have with him.
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I am grateful to the wonderful guy who home-delivered hoodies for my son for the winter. I had shopped at his outlet two years ago but was sad to see the shop was no longer there. Managed to track him down and was thrilled when he offered to drop off what we wanted. Grateful for that. He is a wonderful person and supplies quality stuff. If you are looking for t-shirts, hoodies, corporate clothing, etc. he’s the man. Let me know if you need his contact details.
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By the way, we started a tiny meditation practice at home. At 6 p.m. we set the alarm for 11 minutes and sit with our eyes closed. It’s a wonderful feeling. Of course, I sometimes doze off. When the alarm went off after 11 minutes my husband and son burst out laughing. When I asked them why, they said I was snoring. Ah well. Sleep is meditation too, right? Yup.
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After excruciating pain in my feet – heels to be precise, I finally went to the doc to check it out. Turns out it is plantar fasciitis, which is very common. Got cushioned footwear and have started doing some specific exercises that are supposed to help. The pain is worst when I get up after I sit for a while. Hoping it slowly eases off. Grateful I am able to do something about it.
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Sticking with the theme that life is short, I finally bought a new phone. It seems nice. Has a good camera, I believe. Hoping to catch some good photos when I travel with it. It feels strange when all the apps open quickly after my super-slow old phone. Funny how we get used to things, complain about them and put up with them for as long as we can!
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On the crazy side, we are going through the rounds of fridge going on the blink, plumbing work dragging on and a bunch of other things. Life goes on. I am consciously holding the thought that all we have is now as my mantra as I tackle everything, trying not to get too annoyed. Waiting on a plumber or technician? Most irritating thing. Sigh.
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January seems to have gone by too fast, or is it that I’ve been running around a lot? Whatever. Grateful for all that was, is, and will be. For the things that didn’t work out as I anticipated, I am grateful for the learning. For the things that did, I am grateful. The biggest lesson this month is that life is short.
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I felt thrilled with some of the kind messages and responses I received on social media. Feels so good when people acknowledge my work and tell me that it helps them.
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I am grateful to my friends and family for being my support system.
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Well. I am looking forward to February.
Remember, life is short. Make every hair flip count!
All we have is now!
How was January for you?
Join me for the January 2020 Gratitude Circle blog hop.
Write your post. Add your link to the linky below.
How to participate:
To join the Gratitude Circle blog hop, you can write about anything that made you feel good. It is not mandatory to write about your personal life. Or list personal things you are grateful for. You have the freedom to share anything that made you feel good. A happy event. Something you saw. An experience. A place. Something that brought you happiness. A lovely book you read that filled you with joy. Anything. I repeat, it need not be personal at all.
- Write your posts.
- Add the badge.
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18 comments
Miss Kobe Bryant. I very very agree with you, life is short and life is hard, all we have is just now. Try to live good every minute.
Lzabel Goulart recently posted…Best Mattress for Heavy People
I felt exactly the same Vidya. Jan started with some health problems to family members and I thought we should never take health for granted and take good care of it. Fortunately, we bounced back soon. The meditation exercises will really help. I started yoga in the evening, hoping to continue for the coming months.
[…] Linking up with Vidya’s gratitude circle. […]
It is a gentle reminder that life is not forever, isn’t it? We don’t talk about death and we always tend to think it’s not going to happen to us. But I do think that we need to make the most of the now. The meditation practice sounds great – I really need to practise mindfulness a but more. Hope you have a wonderful February Vidya!
Sanch at Sanch Writes recently posted…January 2020 Reflections
I so wish I could have seen you in that crop top and saree, you would have killed it I’m sure! You are hottie for a reason, aren’t you? <3
Kobe's death affected me in so many ways that I don't even know what happened to me. I was just aware of the man and wasn't his fan of anything, but the fragility of human life just hit me hard. I started taking better care of my health after that.
I hope your heel gets better soon, Vidya. We need you be up and running around as we've always seen you.
Wishing you a fabulous February!
Soumya recently posted…Action Replay + Gratitude List: January 2020
My mum has the same thing with her heels and yes exercises, soft shoes and rest works for her too. Hope you feel better soon. I agree that all we have is now. Life is too short for anything else. I have been reminded of this a lot in the last years and I make if a point to stay in the present and make the most of what I have. But at times, I do lose focus. I also dose off while meditating 😛 It’s funny how quickly I slip into sleep.
When you were up north, VT was also there and I know it was SOOOO cold. I am glad you were there with Vidur. Must have been such good times.
Wishing you a happy Feb, Vidya. Take care and keep inspiring.
Parul Thakur recently posted…Gratitude List – January 2020
True,incidents like these remind us how short is life and how we must make the most of it… now.
Where is the picture with you in crop top and saree? We demand to see it!! 😀
Oh yes, January had wings this year. Wishing you a fab Feb and take care of your feet!
Shilpa Garg recently posted…500 Women In Kerala Village Switch to Menstrual Cups For a Green Future #WATWB
The news of Kobe and his daughter was heartbreaking. Everything was fine and perfect at one minute and all gone at next minute! Life is too short and we should make memories by living it to the fullest!
Ashh Akanksha recently posted…NEW Suede Orris EDP by Molton Brown
The death of Kobe Bryant was a rude shock for all of us and a reminder of how fragile our lives are. These are wonderful nuggets from your life. I had to laugh at the mention of your snoring after meditation. I won’t be surprised if I do the same. Looks like you are popular among your son’s friends. I won’t be surprised as you have a very charming personality.
Rajlakshmi recently posted…Eka Pada Koundinyasana 1 | Fitness and Yoga
[…] linking this with VidyaSury’s #GratitudeCircle […]
The aches and pains of growing old….. I think it is only our positive attitude that helps things get better.
I read about kobe ‘s death, the picture of him with his daughter melted my heart – yes vidya life is too short and we must make the most of it and do what is best for us and those around us. I have some how learnt to go with what life has to offer, even though our plans may not work out. Every day I rise up with gratitude and conscious that all three of us are alive every morning and continue with our daily routine. Sometimes I too doze off as I meditate 🙂 Nice to hear that you went to chennai for your uncles’s 80th birthday – its a blessing to have lived till 80. Thank you for sharing, you are always inspiring and motivating vidya. May God grant you strength and healing to continue the good work..
G Angela recently posted…Gratitude List for January 2020
Life sure is unexpected and sudden when we are confronted with news of death- that too of a young person. I had no clue who Kobe Bryant was but now I sure do and it was through all the love pouring out on the internet. It was a very tragic death and hope they all find peace in the neverland.
Your trip sounds like something you really cherish Vidya – the campus sounds delightful with its animal as well as human inhabitants who love seeing you there.
The pain in the heels is familiar to me- its something that crops up for me too from time to time and I can be seen hobbling about till it subsides. I didnt know the name and am looking it up right after reading your post. The mediation practice sounds good fun – I have been trying to do a bit of this at my end too – you are right sleep is the best form of meditation and if you are able to achieve that then its just wonderful!
Wishing you a joyful and loving February ahead 🙂
Shalzmojo recently posted…#Gratitude-New Beginnings in January 2020
Life is short, indeed! We need to take time to appreciate the ones we love and to spend time with them. There’s no time like the present:)
I love the idea of 11 minutes of silence to meditate! I would probably doze off too!
Diane recently posted…Sustainably Yours Natural Cat Litter Review
Vidya, I always enjoy reading your posts, not only because you have a valuable message but also because your writing is rhythmic and soothing. Thank you for that. I’m inspired to try the 11 minutes of silence!! And so sorry you have plantar fascitis – I do too, and work with a chiropractor who fits me for Foot Levelers orthotics. Great, if pricy.
Beth recently posted…Cranberry Almond-Flour Pinwheel Cookies
I am actively working on trying to remember to make every moment, and hair flip, count too. I have also started meditating recently too. Best wishes to you.
Excellent post. You’re completely right. We need to start living in the now rather than worrying about the future or the past. They are both gone and unknown and there is very little we can do about them. Living in the moment is so much nicer because we aren’t constantly waiting for the next thing. I’m still learning how to quiet my mind and just allow myself to be.