Revered Rhapsodies

What it feels like to have spent almost 4 decades on our planet! It’s a strange blend of gratitude, better clarity, and a gentle kind of power. I don't want to prove anything. I feel whole in my own skin. I honour the girl I was. And the woman I have become.   Life teaches you this eventually, that nothing feels steadier than standing in your own approval. I walk differently now, not faster but fuller. My energy has become expensive now.   I look forward to conversations that don’t drain, but deepen me. Some days I crave silence. And on other days, I miss the noise I once escaped. Healing is just about sleeping well, minding my business, and saying no. It's also wifi, shopping online, and a friend who hypes you up. I have often felt that diplomacy isn’t a language I naturally speak. I lean toward straightforwardness.   I am still a fan of candour and always will be. I get drawn to people who mean what they say and say what they mean.   Those who speak with compassion...

I have always been a staunch advocate for clarity and stability. Life, in all its unpredictable glory, is already an intricate maze of uncertainties and ambiguities. Navigating through its unforeseen twists and turns often feels like a relentless mental workout. Therefore, I find solace in the predictability of the little things, the mundane yet significant aspects of my surroundings.   For instance, I am meticulous about keeping my belongings organized and in their designated places. The simple act of knowing where everything is—be it a pen, a vessel, or even a small trinket- imbues me with a sense of calm.   There is a quiet joy in being able to retrieve an item the moment I need it, sparing myself the unnecessary stress of frantic searching. Doesn’t it feel satisfying to know exactly where something is when you need it? For me, it’s like a small victory every time I reach for something and find it right there! This sense of order extends beyond my personal belongings. I lik...

Having grown up in South India where snow was a rarity, my first encounter with the snowy landscapes of Almaty, Kazakhstan was nothing short of magical. Almaty, nestled in the foothills of the majestic Tien Shan mountains , is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and abundance of outdoor activities, especially during the winter months. This was my first girl’s trip with my cousin, and the excitement level was boundless. We have been discussing our dreams of visiting countries and eagerly awaiting the right moment for them to materialize. However, as time passed, we realized that there is never quite a perfect time to embark on a journey. So on a whim, we decided to visit Almaty and experience the phenomenon of snow. Although not a great fan of spontaneity, I gave in this time. Too much planning could also be tiring and exasperating. For a few days leading up to the trip, we were enveloped in a mixture of anticipation and thrill. Uncertain of what to expect or how we would fare in...

Every Hajji/ Hajja- is a guest of Allah. As one of Allah's millions of guests in the holy land of Makkah last year, with immense gratitude and heartfelt joy, my husband and I set out for our spiritual journey. Deciding to undertake Hajj wasn’t difficult, but even with most arrangements in place, everything had to align perfectly in the end. We are eternally grateful to the Almighty for enabling our dream and guiding us throughout the trip. Hajj is an indescribable journey filled with heartwarming experiences, tests of physical endurance, profound revelations, and transformative insights. It takes place every year between the 8th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah.   Before we started, we humbly asked for forgiveness to all our dear and near for any mistakes or wrongdoings that we may have committed, knowingly or unknowingly. The very sight of the Ka'abah was breathtaking, as scores of pilgrims were circumambulating the epicentre of spirituality in unison and complete devotion. It brought ...

No, not the one you are thinking of. It is not about the mess we made at school. But, the real ‘mess’ or the canteen as we call it. Believe it or not, I actually looked forward to school lunches at the canteen every day. They were delectables served steaming hot to fill our palates. Even the veg curry with dal or pumpkin tasted heavenly. The same dish from home may not have the same effect on us. I unabashedly admit that I was an esurient being . Every day when I pack my children’s lunchboxes, my daughter asks me, ‘What's for lunch? ‘    I want to retort, ‘Are you going to school for food?’ But the apple doesn't fall very far from the apple tree, does it? On Tuesdays (if my memory serves me right), we had non-veg for lunch and a chemistry class right after. Talk about a risky combination! Bad timetable. You wouldn't understand unless you sat through that class.                                 ...