Pandemic resolutions

21 Dec 2020

21:26 pm 

Days have been different for a while now. And although this pandemic times drove us to the verge of insanity, it also made us pause and wonder.

It gave us a chance to stop and look at ourselves, to reprioritize and realise what's really important, to go back to basics and reconnect with not only our family but also ourselves. Every aspect of every single person's life had to be redefined, whether we did it for the good or for the bad, would ultimately decide our life post covid. 

It was challenging at the start, to be forced to redefine our lives! 

Some of us had very active social lives, evenings filled with friends at gatherings, weekends pre-planned with trips and shopping, and suddenly we weren't allowed to do any of that, how would we keep our connections while not being able to physically meet anyone!  

It was weird, so to say, to be at work while being at home. The very definition of zones had to be revisited. Home was no longer the cosy abode we slept in, on days we wanted to escape the reality outside those four walls. Now we had to bring the world inside, and find ways to tread the thin line of not being a workaholic but at the same time being productive. Well the missing chit chat and coffee breaks did give us more focus, but it also meant that we could be stuck in the continuum. Without segregating our days into various activities, while there was no variation in the place we were in, was proving more challenging than we had expected! 

 

We've decided that

We will find time to volunteer

There is a unmissable feeling of entitlement in the air! Like wearing blinkers, we have been focusing  too much on ourselves. We need to zoom out and start looking with our hearts. 

We will gift experiences rather than objects

Most of us have heard about climate change discussions, protests and what not. We nod our heads in agreement and go about our daily routines. The routines filled with plastic, polyester and pesticides. We need to look into our own shopping bag and rethink what it's doing to our lovely planet. 

We will normalise second hand gifting.

Living in a country like Australia has introduced me to decluttering and essentialism, and opened up arenas to donating to second hand did

The wait....

© Megha Kuruvilla @ Life's Vibes , [2009 onwards]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Megha Kuruvilla] and [Life's Vibes] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

"forming–storming–norming–performing"

"The forming–storming–norming–performing model of group development was first proposed by Bruce Tuckman in 1965, who said that these phases are all necessary and inevitable in order for a team to grow, face up to challenges, tackle problems, find solutions, plan work, and deliver results." Says Wikipedia

Many of us would've heard about this phenomenon in our workplaces. It tries to establish the fact that keeping a group of people together in the same team for a considerable amount of time eventually helps them perform better. 

Through the many short, long, near and far relationships in my life I've come to realise that this concept is true not only at workplace but in relationships too. Read on and see if you find the correlation too.

Forming as described by Mr Tuckman is the initial phase when people are positive and polite, they're excited about the possibilities ahead and looking forward to getting to know their teams members better. 

Don't you see the hints of the so called 'honeymoon period' there. Everything our partner does is adorable, even those things which goes completely against our personal beliefs and morals, might pass the test without a hiccup, during this 'blindly in love' period. 

After a bit of time together team moves into the Storming stage. This is when the team starts pushing the boundaries and conflicts arise due the difference in working styles. People might feel overwhelmed by their workload and new responsibilities are still confusing. 

For those of you who are married, I'm sure you'll see the correlation here straight away. The time when the newly married couple sets off to setup their new home. Slowly but steadily, we start seeing those habits that irritate us. The unorganised wardrobe, the messy kitchen, that one small ball of paper that didn't make it to the dustbin, but ended up right beside it with no way to get in and noone to pick it up!! 

These are the first few years, that sees a lot of changes all too sudden for the human mind to grasp. From being single and partying, to being married and even before coming to senses with the new schedules, some go on to pick up more responsibilities by stepping into parenthood.

Norming is the next stage. As the name suggests thankfully there's a normalcy that's setting in. This is described as the stage of resolving conflicts. Team members have got to know and accept each other and start leveraging on each other's strengths. 

Good news!! And for those of you who survived the storm in the previous stage, congratulations!! Now we know each other very well, all those nagging bits and pieces somehow fit in and makes sense. We understand what's going on behind the scenes and no longer need to take things personally when our partners set out into bouts of tantrums! We can breathe, and know that it's definitely not 'cos of us! 

Haven't you heard opposite poles attract, well it's true and we can finally see it in action right there in our own sweet homes. Once we realise our strengths, it becomes very easy to accept the weaknesses too. 

The final stage is Performance. The team can now work without friction and achieve its goals. It feels easy to be part of the team and even if people join or leave, it doesn't disrupt the performance. 

Voila !!! This is the ' happily ever after' that all of us dream of. The kind we see in age old couples who've grown old together. Have you noticed there's a type of peaceful rhythm in such couples, observe next time you see your senior uncles and aunties. 

They know each other too well, so much that they can not only complete each other's sentences but can just go through life like a well oiled machine, each one doing their own part and at the same time helping the other to chug along too. 

Kids would've grown up, either left home or brought in their partners to join as new family members. Work life would've changed due to retirement or change of career. Some even relocate from cities they've been living for decades to escape the busy-ness and slow the pace down. Many changes in health, wealth and what not, yet one thing won't be disrupted and they can fall back on would be the team they formed with that one person.

So, do you see the correlation?  

"forming–storming–norming–performing" , where are you at ? :) 

Marbled Banana Bread

Welcome..... 

As you all might agree, having a newborn to care for is a full time job in itself. But being the restless soul I am, I needed to feed my soul with other things to do inorder to feel productive. 

Considering the only time I get during the day to pursue such projects is the small nap times of my bubs, I am in search of things I can do in one hour stat. 

So here goes ... 

Banana Marble Cake

Recipe courtesy: https://www.recipegirl.com/marbled-chocolate-banana-bread/

This blog has detailed steps and a beautiful steps by step recipe which worked out very well for my one hour project. 

It turned out very yummy , my only note was to add more baking soda, as mine didnt work as well as I would've liked.

So for the first one hour project, Happy Tummies with Yummy Banana Bread ;) 

Think...but the opposite

Thoughts are always with us. No matter what we are doing, where we are or with whom, our mind is always on the go. Sometimes right there in the moment, but most of the times far away in a different world.

Although our everlasting companions, we rarely give credit to the power of thoughts. A small sad thought on a bright and sunny day can turn it into the most gloomiest for you! There might be a thousand good things happening around you, but in vain to cheer you up. 

I'm Robin Sharma's bestseller book " The monk who sold his Ferrari" this concept is well written. A simple act can change our lives, but being conscious of our thoughts we can turn our life around. 

Here goes  the concept of Opposition Thinking : 

Before i forget what it felt like....

23 July 2019

I just turned 35 !! "the mighty mid life" as i see it.

For someone who doesn't keep count of the year and babbles when someone asks her age, it was quiet coincidental that i counted it this year and found that i was at a milestone year.

As any other human natured person, i am also wondering how to make this epic milestone and true one. and needless to say , as every other human, i haven't the smallest clue !

As i tread down that path, today i am writing to put in paper the many rekindled thoughts, feelings and passions that came with my birthday.

This birthday, many of my usual circle of friends forgot about it. Whereas many who i haven't kept in touch reconnected with me.
My best friends from yesterdays past, took me down, rather kicked my a** down the memory lane to remind me of who we were, who i was to them and who i am!

To be frank, i never realised that i meant so much to them or that they ever missed me ! To find these girls actually looking out for me and trying to revive me into my old self was pleasantly shocking. They had no clue why i was aloof, i hadn't kept in touch with any of them , I've even missed important milestones in their life, yet they somehow knew from across the ocean that i was lost.

Friendships are truly like ships, when we are on the shore, they look motionless and directionless in the vast blue oceans, but the captain of the ship knows his/her destination. 
And to have such blessed souls as Captains of ur ships, is a lifelong promise that No matter what, and no matter which island u are stranded in, they will find you! 

Dedicated to my 3 beautiful friends : R,L,A





© Megha Kuruvilla @ Life's Vibes , [2009 onwards]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Megha Kuruvilla] and [Life's Vibes] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Into the depths!

18 Dec 2018 

The Puzzle

It's like pieces in a puzzle, some are bright and beautiful while others are just there cos they need to play their role. Many times you being one of the pieces beds to be stuck with another to help form the whole picture. And if it's just one of those dull background pieces you stuck with, you'll be in awe of the rest and find yourself wishing you been on the other side of the picture.
But the truth to withhold is that, even though the other side is brighter bolder and more beautiful, you still wouldn't have fit in there.

It's the same in life. We sometimes want to get away from the norms we surrounded with. There are other more exciting and bolder horizons we see, places we wish we'd been, people we fall in love with, lives we'd wanna replace ours with. But think about it, there always are these small but perfect curves and edges on you that fit perfectly with those in your life. On its own they may look like a fault, but when put together with another piece, it frames the perfect picture.
Not as one but as two you fit in and find your purpose.

The four horsemen

https://youtu.be/1o30Ps-_8is

What is Instagram!

The first time i set my eyes on Instagram, i was baffled.

A pile of pictures, which cannot be saved, reused nor bookmarked for later. What do people use it for then i wondered!

So, to confess, my first reaction was to logout at the same speed that i logged in and forget about this whole pile of beautiful pictures!

That said, today Instagram is a proud part of my profile. Eventhough I'm not into the big numbers, i love it.

For those of you who are not yet inspired, here is why you should definitely try it out....

• First and foremost, it doesn't need any sort of preparation. Click and post is all that it takes. 

• You don't have to tinker your vocabulary or find the right words, what you see and feel is what you share 

• Its the expression of your true self, the truest it can get. 'cos it reflects the world the way YOU see it. 

..... And mind it, its not the same no matter even if the scene is the same. Two of us, can click the same pic, yet capture different emotions, moments and feelings. The Lens clicks, what the heart sees.

The magic in innocent moments,
The bling in extravagant notions, 
The Rich, the famous and the nobody. 
All who crossed your paths, and made impressions on ur hearts can be captured and shared with the world... 
... as my Instagram tagline says.... "The world, as i see it..... No Filters applied! "

So check my profile out, and start your own too .... Happy Clicking :)

-MK

© Megha Kuruvilla @ Life's Vibes , [2009 onwards]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Megha Kuruvilla] and [Life's Vibes] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Once Upon A Train Ride.....

3-Jan-2018

Standing in the train I look at the compartment next to mine.
The faces staring at me but not seeing mine.

There's a bubble around each one of them, a vacuum made of the masks they wear.
Masks which keeps the truth nowhere near.

As the train turns, they disappear into the curves of the tracks for a fraction,
and then back again with their stares to crave for our attention.

The mirages on the glass walls makes it hard to realise who's on which side.
Sometimes they are here and sometimes gone offsite.

And I can't help but wonder, how similar it is to our life's paths.
People and places, masks hiding their true self.
And the way the truth unfolds,
.. sometimes bitter.. sometimes sour!

-MK

© Megha Kuruvilla @ Life's Vibes , [2009 onwards]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Megha Kuruvilla] and [Life's Vibes] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

The New Year is Here!

2 Jan 2018 

On this new year, when all boasts about new beginnings and new opportunities. when all are busy planning new plots and making new resolutions which they hope to keep... this is what my wish is for all of you ....
May we have the opportunity to realise whats worth and whats not.
May we have the courage to accept our realisations and act accordingly.
May we see the true worth of each of our acts and words.
May we know the depth of impact we make on others.
May we have the power to love, respect and keep our loved ones Happy.
May we not forsake our duties and ignore our Loved ones.
May we Love .. to be Loved ....

-MK

© Megha Kuruvilla @ Life's Vibes , [2009 onwards]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Megha Kuruvilla] and [Life's Vibes] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Sometimes in life...

31 Jan 2016 

Sometimes in life God gives you everything you've ever desired for.
Evry single prayer you had as a child seems answered.
Evry single breakup seems worth it.
Evry single failure seems inspiring.
But then God gets bored and he plays his next move. 'Check' !! You are the centre of the world, but then soon you're going off the board!

At that very moment, you find yourself on a pedestal surrounded by people who loves you with all their heart, who adores you for the simplest things , who, inspite of no efforts from your end, feels cherished just by your presence in their lives.
It's shockingly unbelievable at times.... When people whom you hadn't even considered till then , burst into tears, all for you. When those for whom you haven't done anything swears their life by you..
It's both a proud yet painfully realistic time.

Like how life unleashes itself just before death, you realise the true valuables in your life. You awaken to the meaning of your existence. Your Life's purpose is revealed in the faces of those beautiful hearts.

And then you really know, why you'd been alive all this while..

What do women want??

28 Sep 2015 

When it comes to choices of life partners each of us have a different set of specifications.. Or so it seems. One wants the tall handsome hunk while another look for a humorous heart... When one gives importance to the feeling of being secure with a good bank balance, another prioritize being able to build a life together.

Every eye, every heart is unique with their unique choices, isn't it??

Yes?? Or maybe no???

The choices we make might be based on different factors. Love, life, romance, money, companionship... On goes the list. But at the end of the day what do women want?? What is it that makes them so complicated that no one seems to understand the age old question?!
So here's what it takes.....
Every women, fair or dark, tall or short, urban or rural , young or old.... Each and every women needs 'a Man'.
'The Man' who sees the lady in her. Not the wife, not the gf, not the mum of his kids, but the beautiful, elegant, yet childishly shy romantic in her.
'The Man' who adores her not for the things she does for him, but for the way she is to the world.
'The Man' who sees her as a companion, the one he can talk his mind to. The one he is not scared to hear the truth from.
'The Man' who lets her respect him. Never letting her down. Never disrespecting her choices.

Around 90% of us women go through life without knowing the true man. Such men are only myths they teach us as kids, the type that appears only in fairy tales and life's no fairy tale! Pauses the age old voices.
So the majority of us don't wait fr the right person, after all they do not exist! We settle with the  first decent one from the lot who seems bearable. And that's that!

If I had a chance I would tell my 20 year old self... Listen Megha, there's gonna be someone who would melt your heart with the way he looks at you.
Someone who will give you the butterflies without asking for it. There'll be that special person whom you won't have to explain to. The one who will think the same as you and you'll be surprised that you didn't have to justify your actions!
That someone who gives importance to the companionship you share, the one who counts not the sex, not the looks, but just the moments you are together, cos after all that's what matters the most.
So all you beautiful ladies out there.... the next time you meet a probable partner material and you're finding it difficult to think amid all the adrenaline.. ask yourself these:
After life sets, when all that matters have been settled, when there's nothing left to be done but just live.... At a moment like that, can you imagine living with this guy in front of you?
To just wake up with each other and have nothing to keep you busy than each other. To be in a world where no one else exists but just you and him. Will you be happy there? Will you be mad ? Or just madly in love?? .....
Be sincere to yourself and the fairy tale will find you... All the best my darling Ladies... ! :)

                                                    ******************




© Megha Kuruvilla @ Life's Vibes , [2009 onwards]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Megha Kuruvilla] and [Life's Vibes] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

When you're not there.....

When you're not there, it's as if the day went by but I didn't live it. !!







© Megha Kuruvilla @ Life's Vibes , [2009 onwards]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Megha Kuruvilla] and [Life's Vibes] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You are the only one!!!!

The only one I want is you.
The only one I dream of is you.
The only one that's constantly on my mind is you.
The only one I live for is you.
The only one that makes my day is you.
The only one that makes me feel loved is you. The only one that makes me look forward to tmr is you.

Yet the only one I still need is you.
Yet the only one I yearn for is you.
Yet The only one I miss is you!!!

© Megha Kuruvilla @ Life's Vibes , [2009 onwards]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Megha Kuruvilla] and [Life's Vibes] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Truly.. Madly... Deeply !!!

When I don't get to c u around... I hate it..
When you're not here to share my random thoughts.. I hate it
When my heart aches at the thought of your smile... I hate it
When I count every moment to the day I'll get to be with you again.... I hate it

When above all the hundred things in my day, I find a million reasons to miss you... I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!!

But still my love....
With all the aches and all the hurts.....
With all the bad moments that accompany the awesome ones....
... i just totally, madly, deeply Love being in love with you....

© Megha Kuruvilla @ Life's Vibes , [2009 onwards]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Megha Kuruvilla] and [Life's Vibes] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Forgot to be me ....

"I tried to be everything you needed me to be... .but  i Forgot to be me! "

The One !!!

There is something missing in me.
Something that's important, maybe the most important to me.
Something that would add meaning, a reason to my being .
The thing that would give me sleepless nights and yet make me feel content about myself.

Every day, every moment of my life I'm in search of that One thing, even when I don't know what it could be!
Is it love? Is it fun? Is it going to the extreme to feel the adrenaline rush..? Is it companionship..? Is it the need... the craving for appreciation? ... Is it solitude... ? I don't know! I have no clue...
I'm just waiting ...searching for my awakening.
I'm walking with my hands stretched out, as if in the dark. Careful of my each step, stopping... feeling each thing I touch on my way... Making a mind map as my fingers tread the maze.

The Letter.....

4 Feb 2015 

Yet again tears rolled down her cheeks. Yet again she made a quick attempt to wipe them away, for the fear of someone noticing. It’s been a busy day, like many other days, home chores had kept her busy and office work had made her irritated. Enough was enough she thought and had glanced at her thoughts. There it was, hidden below many paper works, the letter… the only letter….

Neatly scribed in bold letters, were words of love from a heart she had bruised many a times. After so many years too, it showed the depth of his love, the sincere tone of simple words which captured one’s soul in a web of emotions.

It had left her spellbound and speechless the first time she had met him. A feeling never before experienced, an emotion never before aroused. She had sat staring into the darkness of the

night for an unknown length of time, as if searching for an answer to unanswerable questions.

It was obvious and she had seen it coming, she had even warned him against it and thought it would stay within limits. But as time and wind, it had soared up high, into the heights of her heart. A single moment of pleasure had touched her deepest end and left her changed forever.

Now after many days and months, life has changed from what was only the two of them. There are distances to be conquered, differences to be settled, needs to be met, cravings to be satisfied …on goes the list of unending demands, demands which are unavoidable and most essential for the survival of a relationship.

But amongst all this when she tripped and fell innumerable times, he didn’t let go. He stayed unlike many others who didn’t have the patience once she didn’t comply to their demands!

For all the love he showered on her, for all of the attention she received. For all those moments that he made her feel worth living… their love remains…and will remain forever!

************************

© Megha Kuruvilla @ Life's Vibes , [2009 onwards]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this
material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Megha Kuruvilla] and [Life's Vibes] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.