Nowhere to go, nothing to do

turning scars into stars

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Hi friends!

I'm on the road right now and this is possibly my first voice note. So Hi!

You've been reading my words since the first or third of April, I believe and I'm happy to provide an audio version of my essays. I'd like to welcome all new subscribers as well. Since I'm on the road, I've been writing a lot in my journal and this is from 22nd June'24, Saturday. I wrote this at 9:30 a.m. & here goes.

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I’m half asleep as I pen my thoughts. We’re at Destine Villa in Kasoli.

It’s a stone & ivy laced, 4 bedroom home. On the inside it’s warm wood, decoupage in various floral prints on the wall, cat-proof sueded couches—maroon & olive, & vintage floral, & an army of my favourite fern pots all over the house. Some, bang in the line of sight. Others, waiting behind a doorway to be discovered.

We arrived yesterday around 4:00 pm, or maybe 2:30 pm!? Time eludes me. We enjoyed a hearty lunch of kidney beans & cauliflower potato veggies. Played badminton in the courtyard with mom, dad, & Vridhi. My masi became a referee as she can’t jump with her hernia.

I clocked around 12,000+ steps by the time I got to bed.

My view right now, is forest green leaves, brown bush mountains, and an occasional flower that decides to bloom & blossom—despite the blistering heat. We’re in the mountains, & it’s boiling still. This Peruvian Pink Lily for example, thriving in glory & showing off her tiger stripes to me.

This is a nowhere to go, nothing to do kind of holiday. I feel peace and relaxation in my body.

Vridhi & I are in the attic—the top-most storey in the villa. Outside, our room is a quaint library with books on rugby jokes. Didn’t find much to read that I liked.

In the book I’m currently reading however, Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do by Robert S. Schuller, he talks about possibility thinking. People can turn their problems into creative experiences with the help of possibility thinking. Their scars into stars, as Schuller describes. This speaks to me.

We can so easily make monsters of the littlest happenings in our life. What if we think, “How can I look at this with a new lens? I understand I’m currently experiencing raging emotions on a Richter scale of 12. Do I have it in me to step back, re-assess, and respond?”

I think I do.

Here is my list of situations in which I get frustrated. I am also writing how I can use possibility thinking to make my life experience, a slightly pleasant one!

1. I imagine my mind as a garden. Each problem is a stubborn weed. Instead of getting frustrated, I think about how can I turn these weeds into beautiful flowers. Maybe they’re the rare kind that bloom only under special care.

2. Stuck in traffic? Instead of fuming with my partner, I prefer to turn on my favorite music and have a car concert! It’s my stage, and Prithiv’s steering wheel drum solos are legendary.

3. How fast can I sort, wash, and fold my laundry? I set a timer, beat my personal best, and reward myself with a victory snack.

I think I’m starting to get a hang of this.

I’m not “Patience Patricia” yet, but I see the shift in humor. I worry a little less and laugh a lot more! I notice my environment and try to be as nonchalant as this crow I captured—drying himself after a fresh round of puddle hopping.

It’s my sister, Vridhi’s birthday eve tonight. She turns 22! So I’ll get going. But before I do, I want to thank you for listening or reading all the way till the end. If you liked it, consider leaving a 🧡 &/or sharing it with someone who may like it too!

Okay, thanks, bye!

Some reads I’ve enjoyed on Substack this week!

• Is distance Reiki energy healing really a thing or is it just woo-woo nonsense? by

  Deanna Thomas
  who writes with heart, keeps it simple, & guides the way.

• More than one thing by

  Caroline
  . She reflects on the contrasting aspects of her personality, embracing both her sardonic, introspective side akin to Wednesday Addams and her joyful, charming side reminiscent of Arlene Francis. She describes it as being human!

Nature is brimming with poetry, if you just take the time to listen. This 9-page guide offers everything you need to dive into the beauty of nature with a poet’s eye. From choosing the right location to engaging all five senses, this guide will help you unlock the writing potential hidden in leaves, birdsongs, and morning dew. Bonus resources included for even more inspiration!

Another way to show your love for my work is to share my posts, buy me a coffee to help me travel to America, & leaving sweet comments under my posts🧡