the 'weekend' takes on an all new meaning...

i often think about how the 'weekend hype' has hit all of us - especially us 'office-going' variety.

its the thing we look forward to thursday onwards [ sometimes even tuesday onwards! if its been a particularly hard week ] :)

its probably because in the midst of running from one manic week to the hectic next, its that one time you get to do all the things that make life worth living.

there's so much you have to push 'to the weekend' - the list of things to do over the weekend just piles up!

that's because the weekend is a wonderful 2-days to relax, unwind, wake up late, no alarm clocks. an opportunity to catch up on family time, its the doing-nothing time @ home, to bathe the dog, clean the cars, go grocery shopping, stock up the fridge on meats, fruits and such, find out what your kids school diary looks like and help with the math homework [ if you're any good at it, or pretending to be! ], get connected with personal email, the luxury of updating a happy status on facebook, reading, writing, blogging, thinking.

rejuvenate.

listening to music, watching TV if that's your thing, taking walks, trekking, meeting friends, chatting up on the phone, catching up for a drink or a fun-night out, a play or a movie. renting DVDs and watching all the movies you missed. shoes and clothes shopping. polishing and repairs around the house. gardening. then there's the dreaded paper-work if you ask my husband ~ which i am loathe to do.

for me its nicer if you throw in a chance to do some socially responsible / community service. or a visit to the temple that my grand mother loved to spend time at.

then there are some indulgences - which is an occasional chance for a visit to the spa, a leisurely massage perhaps. the parlour a.k.a the beauty salon for a mani/pedi or to get your hair done. or all if its time for a complete engine overhaul!

and if you're not careful and try to do all of the above all at one you'll need the week to recover from the weekend!

indeed the weekend has taken on gargantuan proportions.

its because we choose to live these heady, busy and crazy lives where we live from weekend to weekend.

without us realising it, life is passing us by and we scarcely know it!

the week goes by in a haze of work, crazy hours, insane, arduous projects and assignments, skipped meals. and a scurry of emotions that we just don't have time to deal with.

easier said than done but its probably a good idea to take a bit of a step back, and learn to relax the pace.

to take time out even in the midst of all the chaos and make a list of things we really want to do. say. or achieve.

for our own mental peace and good health. before we reach a total burn out. i know so many people who have led these manic lives only to be burnt out so young.

oh yes. i'm going to put my weekend to good use.

i am going to use it to do some thinking. and pamper my mind, body and soul.

~ a

A day well spent...

It's Children's Day today, and I just knew I had to do something different.

So often I see too many children languishing on the roads, in slums and at traffic signals : begging at your car window, as you sit cocooned in your comfortable car, in moderated temperatures...

I feel and I know that it is our responsibility to something for all of these children; whose only fault is that they were not born in to homes like ours.

For whom the basics that we seem to take for granted like food, clothing, shelter, and eduction is a distant dream. Add to that the basic hygeine factors like a bath and toilet and clean drinking water.

I decided to do something special this Children's Day. I often volunteer with Sofosh and Akanksha : the lovely lovely children there fill me with joy and hope : and so today, I decided to spend some time with them...

When I asked Arjun, he immediately went along with the programme. I set up a collection centre at home and reached out to friends and family via email and Facebook, to send in books, toys, clothes and anything they could spare to share with these lovely people.

I was overwhlemed by the response and so we set out this morning at 9am to share the goodies and to spend the most precious commodity we had : time : with the children...

I have learnt that doing volunteer work requires you to just go there and 'be'.

I marvel the patience and grit of all the volunteers and facilatators.

I am in awe of their simplicity and passion.

I realise also that you don't need to go with any particular skill set.

All you need to do is make time, have compassion, and a willingness in your heart to do anything that comes your way.

So here's what I did : I made bunches of wool hair for the dolls the kids were happily painting and making. Then I took all of them to wash their hands and get cleaned up for the snack. Distributed the snack and clicked many many photos of all the sunshine happy kids and then got to be part of a mini drum circle and even got rewarded a cup of hot steaming 'chai' for all of this.

What I came back with is a smiling heart, happy in the knowledge that my son loves to be with me when I'm doing my thing like this : even on a Saturday [ which means sacrificing a late sleep-in! which mind you - for a teenager is a 'big' thing!] , and I came back with a bag full of rich and vibrant stories to tell and share at home...

Tell me your story!

~ a

Eternally grateful...

Today is a day for counting my blessings.

Sometimes I think its hard to do that.

Hard to be grateful for the things you have.

Especially if you stay focussed on the things that 'could have been' or 'should have been'.

But then if you take time out to see the pain and suffering of all those people around who are less fortunate than you, so much less fortunate - then you realise how much you have, so much of everything. In abundance. Love, family, friendships, smiles, intelligence, luck, education, family, friends, chances, opportunities, optimism...

So I decided to count my blessings today and remind myself how much I have to be grateful for.

• A son who I love so dearly, for everything that he is, says and does - and doesn't :)

• A husband who pampers me and silently cares for me, supporting and encouraging my every choice, decision - a rock solid pillar!

• Parents who are and have been loving, caring, attentive, intelligent, sharp, humourous, supportive, encouraging... who gave me a strong foundation of a sound education, values and a simple yet privileged upbringing, in so many ways...

• A sister and her family that are a constant source of inspiration. With her beauty, intelligence, determination, grit and endless energy, she makes me realise there's so much more to learn...
  

• I found a new family in my in-laws - and they became my strongest and most formidable advantage while facing some of my life's toughest adversaries and challenges. And in my mother-in-law I found an easy friend and confidante...
  

• A home that I look forward to coming, day after day after a tough and tiring day at work. It's filled with smiles, warmth and a nurturing environment for my son. And home-staff that keep it going, even when I'm out travelling, looking after the daily needs, keeping it spotless clean, and good wholesome warm food to come home to!
  

• And how could I forget a dog @ home - who loves me unconditionally whether or not I have a kind word or gesture for him.
  

• Friends I've made since childhood and cherished and friendships that have grown over the years, teaching me so many things along the way.

• Colleagues who sometimes became lifelong friends with whom I share an easy candour, banter and sharp conversations that keep me current, rooted and real.

• My work that keeps me on my toes, challenges me, gives me the mental and physical stretch that I so love, and so defines me. Its fulfilling and helps me meet so many intelligent, sharp, funny, accomplished, talented, and qualified individuals and teams.

• And then there are the weekends that I so look forward to - for the space they give me to relax, explore, read, write, spend time with family and friends, a visit to the temple perhaps, the spa if you will, a chance to network, talk, listen, share, care, walk leisurely, eat, drink, sleep, unwind, music, do some community service when time permits... and so much more!

So here it is. The next time you feel there's not much to be happy for or to count yourself among the lucky few, remember to take a step back and make your own little list of 'things and people I can count on', and a list of 'the joys and blessings that fill my life' kind of a list.

You'll be amazed at how much you have to be thankful for.

I did and I realised once again, I have so much to be grateful for.

Eternally grateful.