Rekha's Ramblings

November is the month of Thanksgiving.  One of my friends shared this "30 days of Gratitude challenge " with me a few years ago and today's challenge is "Growth".  The dictionary defines “growth” as the process of increasing in physical size, amount, value, or importance. In other words, it’s not just about getting physically taller but also growing your values, what matters to you, what grows your self-confidence.  In my opinion, Growth is based on your environment, the challenges you face. Some people thrive and become a better version of themselves when put under pressure, some not so. It also depends on how willing you are to learn, to get out of your box, to adapt to the situation, your circumstances.  My personal growth has always been through introspection, how I can be a better person than I was yesterday. It’s a journey, I am still learning.  There are many who continue to inspire me daily. I know my weaknesses, my flaws, my strengths, and I am trying t...

  I was talking to someone the other day; they are new on our block where friendships are already formed. The community is small, it is hard to get a breakthrough. They were asking me how I did it. I seem to have a lot of friends. How did I get that breakthrough? I have had a unique journey when it comes to friendship and being a part of a circle.  First, I am a very straightforward person and what I say is not always pleasant, in fact, most times it is offensive and hurtful to someone who does not know me.  Secondly, I am blessed by three siblings who to this date are my best friends and hence, I did not have the need to have more friends beyond them until I went to college. My college class size was extremely small, and friendships were formed automatically.  But as life progressed, when I moved away to the USA, every day was a new challenge. It became even more difficult when I became a parent. Balancing work, being a parent to three children (including a set of t...

  Writing has always had a special place in my heart and its roots go way back to my childhood, to my father, my inspiration.  My father has kept a journal, a daily diary since he was, I believe 20 years old, sort of chronicles, at first of his life and then our lives. He would write down all he did every day and along with that, he would also write down community happenings, a little note of news, local, nationwide and or global events which occurred on that day.  He has a record of everything and anything that happened in our tiny community where I grew up and where record keeping was almost nonexistent. A tiny catholic rural community in India. He meticulously noted birthdays, anniversaries, and even deaths, along with details of dignitaries, clergy coming and going. He was a walking encyclopedia of our community's history.  He is well known in the community partly for that reason, as a historian, their source of information. They come looking for him when they ne...

 Writing has always held a special place in my heart. I find the act of putting thoughts and emotions into words truly liberating. But except for posting a little here and there on Facebook, I didn’t publish much. One of the reasons I hesitated to publish my writings was the fear of judgment and criticism.   So, you may ask, why now? Firstly, Now, I have come to realize that perfection is not my goal, authenticity is. Secondly, I was inspired. For years, I kept my writings hidden, unsure if they were ready to be seen. But encouraged by my sister’s gentle words and moved by a friend’s successful blog, I finally understood it’s never too late to begin. This blog will be my platform to share my unfiltered ramblings—without worrying about who reads them or what they think.  As the Hindi saying goes:  " कल करे सो आज कर , आज करे सो अब " ( Do tomorrow’s work today, and today’s work now. ) So, without further delay, I embark on this writing journey with a...

This is what was reflected through the windows of a local gym. Needless to say, I made it there but did not go inside today. I stood there and soaked it all in. Then walked around the neighborhood and soaked it all in even more. And while I was doing that, my daughter called to show me the fall from her window, at her college campus. Then my son texted me pictures of what he was looking at, fall from his viewpoint at his campus. I'm proud of myself today that I paused and taught them too, to pause and to appreciate little things in life. I hope you can pause, take a moment to appreciate little things around you. 

  Not too long ago, someone I deeply care about was going through a rough phase, feelings of loneliness and didn't know what to do, how to cope with it. Of course, we talked about seeing a therapist, counseling. While we were on the subject, he said “what do you know about loneliness, you always seem happy, I see all your pictures, you are always busy doing something. You are always smiling and happy." Hmmm, long pause.... What do I know about loneliness??? I know  plenty about being lonely, especially now, recent empty nester. My world revolved around my children and their activities. Now that they are gone, all the running around is gone. Sometimes it's very rough, especially on a weekend when everyone else seems to be busy but I am not. I wish I could show you how often I was sad and lonely....  I go through those days of loneliness, a lot. It was very rough and difficult at first. Now, I try to not be "alone" when I am lonely. I force myself to go out, be w...

  They said invoke the child within, go for a walk, nature can heal, nature is the best therapy. Until I got there, I mean at that stage of a woman's life, I had no idea, I am sure every woman who is there now is saying the same. I have laughed, mocked the women who were there and my sincere apologies to them. Until I got there, I thought everything was exaggerated, who puts their head in the freezer? And I am a healthcare professional, but it was all a hearsay until I myself was there. I failed to understand the gravity of this thing called MENOPAUSE. That is me now. I am that woman, my whole-body hurts, my joints ache, my head is in the freezer, a lot. And sleep, what is that??? I once took pride in my ability to remember things. But what is that now?? That is part of the reason everything gets posted on Facebook, it is sort of my memory book. I feel like I am a different person, I do not recognize myself in the mirror. But surprisingly when you reach that stage, ...