Skip to main content

Crossing forty is fun and now I'm loving it!

As I battle winter's blues with cozy blankets and warm sweaters, I can't help saying that during my teenage years, I always dreaded turning forty years old. Two years ago, I panicked as my health took a bit of a real hit and my stress levels soared. Now in fact, I am loving it! [READ: Say a Little Prayer for Me!]

                                                                    [Image: Reshot.com]

I no longer feel the need to prove anything to myself or to others. I am at peace with the person I am. Every day, I feel that the whole Universe is opening up to embrace me, watch me grow into a being that is constantly evolving. 


                         [FOLLOW MY BOARDS ON PINTEREST] 

Turning older has made me very cautious about the kind of people I spend my time and conversations with. I stay away from "energy vampires" - sometimes we all run into people who are so full of complaints and negative energy that once they leave, their vibes drain our positive energy! Nowadays I keep a safe distance from 'energy vampires' simply because I want to protect my energy.

The past few years have taught me that every interaction and relationship is based on a valuable exchange of energy. Now I value my energy and that of others more than ever before. The truth is that I enjoy more freedom today in my personal space than I ever did as a teenager. I don't have to worry about what "friends say about me" because it no longer defines me. I make my own choices and I am always ready to face the consequences. Wish I had gone through this phase during my teenage years instead! 

When I step into the sun lit path, I send a prayer of gratitude to Swami for the light that warms my skin and the joy it brings my heart. On evening walks, I send love energy to the moon, the stars and the night sky. 

The faces of the people I love and respect swim like a blur of moonshine before my eyes and I say a prayer of gratitude for all of them. 

The best part is that I can live the life of my dreams.  Today, I have matured emotionally and spiritually. The self-critical, self mocking voice in my head has mellowed to one that embraces self-love and self-nurturing.

Whatever I do, I remind myself of Swami's beautiful teaching, "Be simple, be sincere. " [READ: Lost someone you loved?]

                            [FOLLOW MY BOARDS ON PINTEREST] 

The best gift we can give ourselves and our loved ones is authenticity in everything we say and do.  [The Wisest Lesson I learned in 2018] 
                    

                           [FOLLOW MY BOARDS ON PINTEREST] 

I'd love to know what phase you are going through at your age! Do write in!

If I may, let me just tell you this: The present is precious, so I pray that you are enjoying every moment with your Self. And if you love to read real-life inspirational stories, here's one that you shouldn't miss! DO READ: The Amazing Story of Peddabottu

Never thought I would love crossing the age of forty. But now I'm loving it!

Comments

Aravind Balasubramanya said…
This is so beautiful to read. I felt calm and serene within and am actually looking fwd to my 40s now. Thank you so much sister.
January 27, 2019 at 2:33 PM
Swapna Raghu Sanand said…
Dear brother @AravindBalasubramanya, it's great to know that you found this post beautiful to read. It is what I had hoped for based on my own roller coaster ride with the 40s.
February 14, 2019 at 2:15 AM
Vishnu said…
Welcome to the 4 0 club Swapna. I appreciate the wisdom and calmness here. Also, the older we get, the more we know what we want out of our lives and are more able to live in alignment with our truth. Peace and regards - Vishnu
February 25, 2019 at 10:28 AM
Post a Comment

Most LOVED 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 bor...
181 comments
Read more

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...
1 comment
Read more

Secrets & Lies - A Book Review

We all have secrets. Over years, they become memories, a little jaded, a little faded but definitely there. Lots of memories that are stashed away come alive when you read Jaishree Misra's latest novel, Secrets & Lies , a book that grabs your attention from page one till the end. I The novel revolves around the age of innocence and the growing up of a bunch of school girls who studied in St Judes', one of Delhi's most famous Convent schools with an Irish Principal, Miss Victoria Lamb whom the girls christen as Lamboo. The four girls in the novel are great friends but their dreams are shattered with the entry of a new girl called Lily. Later, they try to move on with their lives, hoping to forget Lily but haunted by her forever.  There's Bubbles, who had been fat and bad at studies but hails from a wealthy business family. Her ambitious parents arrange her marriage to Binkie, who is the only son of a multimillionaire in London. What touches your heart is tha...
11 comments
Read more

Guest Post by Raji PV: What I love about Singapore

♥♥ This is the second Guest Post on Petals in 2015.  I thank my former colleague Raji PV for sharing her personal writing on my blog. Raji, as I know her, is a lovely person and a dedicated mother with an angelic, soothing presence. Her simplicity and humility inspire me. In a nutshell, I am blessed to be in her company. Thanks for writing, Raji! ♥♥  The first time I landed in Singapore, I was pleasantly surprised by the lush greenery all around. Gigantic trees lining both sides of the road  met overhead high above the road. The change in scenery was too stark not to notice, as we arrived from Delhi. The sceptic in me did not expect it to last  more than a few miles; but guess what, I was overjoyed to have been proved wrong! Greenery in Singapore The beauty of Singapore lies in its ever-spreading green robe, both planned and natural, that stretches across the length and breadth of the island. Best of all, Singapore goes that extra mile in protecting its natural...
8 comments
Read more

The Amazing Tale of Peddabottu: How she battled all odds, took leadership roles and defied conventional norms in a unique way

When we first come into the world, we mark our entry with a big cry.  The wise ones say that we loathe to leave the safety of the mother's womb. As we grow up, we learn to seek happiness in the things we do. We find different ways to be happy.  The wise ones says, ''Pain makes you strong.''   The truth about happiness is that it teaches us nothing, whereas pain nudges out of our complacent comfort zones.  It teaches us to reflect, look within and find the answers from a zone that we are not usually familiar dealing with. [Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: https://svara.substack.com/] Pain and sorrow manifest in our lives differently and across different phases but how we react to it defines our the direction of our life. A newborn child undergoes pain when vaccinated but will a mother stop her child from being vaccinated simply because she doesn't want her child to undergo pain? [ Must Read: A Dad's Advice to the Daughter He loves ] So, there ...
1 comment
Read more