Skip to main content

The Year That Changed Everything

2011 is an unforgettableyear in my life. It tossed up challenges that I’d never had to face before in my whole life. It was like making tea, custard toast, chicken do pyaza and packing rotis with sabji but never getting a whiff or taste of any of it till the end of the day coz one’s got two hands and both hands were doing kitchen chores and endless tasks. Got the drift?

Well, perhaps it was inevitable that some of the bread got roasted instead of toasted. It was also inevitable that the year roasted and grilled a few friendships too. 


No, honestly, I’d give my best to all relationships but sometimes things don’t work out because, well, birds of a feather tend to flock together. So, I guess plain pigeons don’t really stick with the eagles. Know what I am saying? And don’t place bets on whether I’m a pigeon or an eagle. 

So, between flying low and keeping close to home as well as juggling lots of work, it happens that I had to prioritize my peace of mind over everything else. 

Hell, it hasn’t been an easy year. But I learned to make decent food in little time. Now, isn't that something? Don't laugh, ok?

You should try the sinfully simple custard toast I make. You’ll dump decent food forever.

Isn’t that a temptation huh?

The Storms of 2011
In Orhan Pamuk’s book Other Colours which is basically a collection of his writings and essays, there is a chapter titled “After the Storm,” he writes.

 “It is in times of violence, times of storms, that we remember we all live in the same world. Later still, as I was looking at broken branches and bicycles that had been thrown from their resting places, this came to my mind too: When a storm hits, we don’t just understand that we live in the same world, we begin to feel as if we are all living one and the same life.”

2011, for me, was definitely a year of turbulent storms. Nope, my arms aren’t broken branches yet.

Adi’s bicycle is not broken.

I haven’t been thrown out of home yet.
  
But then, ‘what storm is she talking about’ is what you are wondering, right?

Storms that matter and leave an impact happen from within. They hit you the hardest because they have the power to. The power comes from within.

Remember, You are tested where it hurts most
From the written works of spiritual masters, I’ve read that you are tested where it hurts the most. For me, relationships matter a lot be it in real life. And that’s exactly where God chose to test me. I’d give myself a just-pass.

Gratitude & Thanks 
As the year ends and a new year begins, I believe in the ancient spiritual law that says, “The more grateful you are, the more will be given unto you.”

My humblest pranams at the lotus feet of my beloved lord and best friend, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba for His love and constant guidance. Without His love, 2011 would have seen me crumbling, spiritually. Bhagawan's love, compassion and guidance has permeated my life for over three decades. All my family members are grateful to Him for His tremendous love shown towards us. Thank you, Swami.

For those who are cynical, let me tell you that ‘faith can move mountains.’
Each to his own spiritual path.

I am thankful to my family and all my friends whom I know personally, then on Facebook, and Twitter for their love, patience and understanding.  I am grateful to you all for reading my blog, spending precious time to comment as well. It helps me to grow as a better person and I am so glad that we are connected through this blog. Thank you, dear reader and friend. Your encouragement is what gives me the impetus to write whenever there is time. 

A Buddhist Prayer for Each and Every One 
In accordance with the famous meditation prayer that the Buddha taught His followers, I too offer that to you and your loved ones:

By the power and truth of this spiritual practice
May all sentient beings enjoy happiness and the causes of happiness
May they be free from suffering and the causes of suffering
May they never be separated from the great happiness devoid of suffering and
May they dwell in the great equanimity that is free from attachment and aversion.


As rightly spoken by Avvaiyar, “What we’ve learned is like a handful of earth, what we are yet to learn is like the whole world.


Wishing you all greater happiness, prosperity and well-being in 2012.

Stay blessed always.

Comments

Pramoda Meduri said…
hi swapna, nice recap..

@No, honestly, I’d give my best to all relationships but some relationships don’t work out because, well, birds of a feather tend to flock together.

:) good description..

Wish u a happy new year..:)
Raji said…
Well written Swapna! Wishing you a happy, peaceful, blessed and wonderful new year!!!
Vidya said…
a wonderful recap.. Wish you a happy, peaceful 2012!
Priya Suresh said…
Happy new year wishes Swapna, regarding ur q'n about pulao,u can prepare them very well,but just before adding rice, add the yogurt and water mixture,bring them to boil and add the soaked rice, if you prepare this way,you wont risk anything..Also ur pulao will turn out prefect as like mine,hope this helps..
Thanks Pramoda, Raji, and Vidya for the warm, caring wishes. Wishing you all a fantastic year in 2012 too!

Priya, thanks a ton for sharing the tip with me. I LOVE your recipes and they've helped when inviting people over for lunch/dinner. Your recipes are 100% guarantee that it will turn out great. Thanks for commenting and for sharing that tip once again! Have a great year ahead!

Most Popular Posts

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences.  [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste.  You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this  new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being born

How do you light Deepam at home?

How do you light deepam at home? As a child, I loved watching the ritual of my grandmother lighting the deepam or the traditional lamp at home in the evenings. A sense of serenity accompanied her frail figure as she would carefully straighten every wick, dip it into the tiny puddle of oil and light the lamp. As my grandmother would read out the scriptures and chant the prayers, the fragrance of incense sticks and flowers added depth to the experience. In many Hindu homes nowadays, the lighting of the lamp (or the nilavilakku, as Malayalis refer to the traditional lamp in their homes) is not a regular practice. A lot of people have many questions around how to light deepam at home and which oil to use and so on. An important point to keep in mind - Maintain physical cleanliness and hygiene while lighting the lamp. Wear clean clothes while lighting the lamp. Frequently Asked Questions About Lighting Deepam at Home Collating most queries related to how to light the deepam at home, I'v

Gayatri Mantra as Panchamukhi: Get it right or let it go

Most people do not understand the importance of chanting the Gayatri mantra because they are not aware of its power. It is only when I began to read Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teachings that I learned how sacred and powerful the chanting of the Gayatri mantra is.    The Vedas represent the breath of God. The Gayatri mantra is the very basis of the Vedas. Try not to undertake chanting the Gayatri mantra as a light endeavor or as a hobby. It has to be chanted with faith, discipline and purity of mind and body. Be steady with your sadhana if you want to reap the spiritual dividend associated with the Gayatri mantra  and never once hesitate once you decide to do it.  Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba said that the Gayatri Mantra is referred to as Pancha Mukhi, the Goddess with five faces that represent the five pranas or life forces. Here's more on it. .  Also read: The Power of OM   Chant the Gayatri Mantra correctly: Pause Five Times Here are some important thi

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra: Meaning, Benefit of Chanting and Who can Chant the Mantra

Mahadmrityunjaya Mantra: Benefit of chanting this mantra There are very few mantras that are as powerful as the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. Do read my post: Does Mahamrityunajaya mantra really work?       Mahamrityunjaya mantra is believed to have the power to remove all sufferings, diseases and bestow the one who chants it with good health and long life.   It is also believed that constant contemplation of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra can help spiritual aspirants to overcome the cycle of birth and death. What got me fascinated about this mantra is something personal.  I learned this mantra from my father but it is my maternal grandmother who chanted it all the time and repeatedly told me of its tremendous power to protect. However, I did not chant this mantra regularly.  At the age of two, my son was taught some mantras by my mother who explained what it means to him and he became very enthusiastic about chanting the mantras. Following this, my mother taught him the Maha Mrityun

Saree Woes 2

Our earlier discussion on Saree Woes really perked up my spirits. A big thanks to all of you for pepping me up. Okay, here's the good news. There was an unexpected late night party that I had to attend in Gurgaon. To be honest, I haven't had the time or energy to attend any such parties after Adi was born. I was sure I wouldn't have the confidence to make conversation with the glitterati, let alone feel confident to carry off wearing a saree. This is one of those parties where you have to be dressed very formally. Well, at the end of a working woman's day, you hardly feel ready to attend one of these parties looking like a moron, right? So, with very little preparation and very few hours left, I called on all the gods in Heaven to help me look a little younger and prettier since I don't have the magic to look young all on my own. Although I was tempted to wear one of my awesome Kancheevaram treasures, I knew it would be very difficult to drape it without any h