June was overall a good month. Writing that feels good, doesn’t it? I have been writing gratitude posts for over a year now, and I realize that starting by writing something positive gets the positive thoughts rolling. So here are the wonderful things that happened:
Socially, June was a nice month. Had a few get-togethers with friends. Meeting over some good food, indulging in laughter and chatter has to be good for the heart and mind. My mil dropped by for a week bringing a load of mangoes from her backyard (the last of the season). One more reason to gorge on mangoes. 🙂 My diet and fitness stayed on track this June (pats myself on the back). I also incorporated Yoga (pranayam) in the routine to help me keep allergies at bay. Except for illnesses or extreme fatigue, I exercised regularly. And since I cook, eating healthy is not so difficult. I experiment with different types of foods, and most times I can rustle up a complete meal in less than an hour. I have recently got a help to come in the evening and chop veggies. Fingers crossed that she stays. And she has been a huge help in letting me spend even lesser time in the kitchen while doing a complete meal with salad.
Meals bring me to some thoughts on food. I am doing this weekly series where I share lunch box meal ideas. Do follow the hashtag #LunchwithVaya on my social media handles. I have realized after following other mums on social media and also among my friend circle that many of us ignore incorporating protein in our children’s diets: roti and sabzi or idli/dosa and chutney are not complete meals. Please do pay attention to adding some form of protein in your child’s tiffin. Incorporating protein in every meal keeps them satiated for longer and provide them complete nutrition. I have also been having more millets like ragi and jowar rotis. My mil told me a method to make them softer and I am going to try them soon.
My presence on social media is quite sporadic. And, it will only continue. It was among my resolutions since last year and I am glad that I am sticking to it. I enjoy friendly interactions and that’s about it. Rants, vitriol etc. I have no patience for. Best are updates that are goofy or bring a smile to my face. I am also doing a fair bit of reading both online and offline. Recently read Baaz by Anuja Chauhan. She does the romance really well and I love her strong female protagonists. Yes, her novels feel a bit repetitive. And this one even more so. The climax disappointed me. Overall, worth a read once.
Meanwhile, I have been spending some time in the rooftop garden watching with delight flowering beans, bhindis, even melons. The husband is doing such a great job, and it provides me fresh produce to cook with and a connect with nature. We regularly give away saplings. We also compost our own kitchen waste that we use for our plants. Recently, I have joined in the community initiative to compost waste. Hopefully, we can help in our own small way. Staying close to nature makes us more compassionate towards our environment. Try initiating your children into it. It is very rewarding.
The tooth issue has reached some sort of culmination. It is at peace currently and I have been asked to leave it as is. So grateful. This entire tooth incident that dragged on for 6 months and caused me a world of pain and anxiety taught me a valuable lesson about worrying. I am a worrier. I worry about everything minor and of late, I have begun calming myself down when I find myself going down that road. I must mention that I am feeling better when it comes to idle worries. We can handle things with fortitude instead of spending all our energies on worries. I guess all of us know this, but it is worthy trying to stop yourself if you find yourself worrying incessantly.
The kids are settling down with more than a month gone by in their new classes. The younger son has his first PTI today, and I am looking forward to meeting his new teachers. I have some issues with how some of them behave and react, but that is food for another blog post. Next week is elder son’s PTI.
June was also my dad’s birthday and when I called him to wish him on his birthday, I asked him about what he had planned for celebration. And he said that he planned to celebrate the fact that his mind was alert, his health was good and that he still did work that he enjoyed. Amen to that! When I need my dose of positivity, I speak to papa. I have rarely seen him deterred by adversity, and he has weathered a number of storms.
That left me thinking, do you think we are weaker or complain way too much or just that we put it out there? Is it because just like we blame the younger generation, we feel entitled to having a life that is easier and devoid of angst? Food for thought, eh?
With half year speeding past, let us all look at making the most of the rest of the year.
Join us at Vidya’s gratitude circle this month.
Main Pic courtesy: By FCSCAFEINE by Shutterstock
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