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Rebecca Cook's avatar

Oh! I almost forgot. We live in the states in a small town and we had a pretty good Indian Restaurant that we went to for YEARS. They just closed!! We are trying other Indian places but they just aren't hitting the mark. But one does come close, the one with DOSAs. OMG. I am completely hard-over-heels for dosas. I was looking up how to make them earlier today.

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Mohika Mudgal's avatar

Soul Food indeed!! I'm sorry to hear the Indian Restaurant shut down!

My dadi makes dosas for me sometimes & they're even better. Although, not as crispy, still delish! If you're ever in Delhi, India, I'd love to host you for a South Indian meal at my home with my grandmother.

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Rebecca Cook's avatar

OMG!! Wouldn’t my husband and I just LOVE that!!

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Rebecca Cook's avatar

Oh, Mohika. How wonderful. I feel just the same, and it's easy when you're older to step back from external praise, from the expectation of praise. You are young, learning this now is so important. Good for you!

I think you will like a couple of things-- https://kikijthompson.substack.com/p/nothing-against-buddha

and one of mine from Poetry month-- https://kikijthompson.substack.com/p/nothing-against-buddha

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Mohika Mudgal's avatar

Thank you, dear Rebecca for such a thoughtful & loving comment. I make it a point to read mosttttt of your work! Thank you so much for looking out for me!

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Rebecca Cook's avatar

Thank you, Mohika. I am so glad that I found you!

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Aakriti's avatar

I'm also on a mission to find happiness in me...this was a really lovely read :)

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Kshitij's avatar

This was so lovely to read, Mohika! You have a way of making simple moments feel really special. Reading this made me smile :) 🌻

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Mor's avatar
Apr 16Edited

"We’re so busy perfecting ourselves that we forget the best version of us is the one that’s most alive."

Oh, how true! For way too long, I've been trying to "be the best"; failing to recognise that the moment I start believing external ideas of what best is or should/shouldn't be, I engender a courtroom-like tussle in my mind. Those ones of us who become too fixated on the idea, or too addicted to external validation, they become pawns on somebody else's chessboard. Break the rules, be the real, happy you even if that makes you "bad". Delulu is the solulu!

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Mohika Mudgal's avatar

Mor, yes! It’s amazing how much lighter life feels when we stop chasing “best” and just let ourselves be. Being true might look “wrong” to others but who cares?

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Mukta Naik's avatar

Your writing makes me feel good, gives me hope....if this is not the purpose of being here on Substack, what is? Keep going!!

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Mohika Mudgal's avatar

Thank you so much... this means a lot. I sometimes wonder if the words are reaching anyone; so to hear this, it’s everything. I’ll keep going, promise.

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Sally Burke's avatar

Hi Mohika, I love reading your posts probably due to you being true to yourself. I sometimes think, why should I dress up to go to the supermarket, and quite often I don’t primarily because I figure I will make their day anyway by being joyful and treating them as I want to be treated, and let’s face it, they couldn’t give a hoot in regards to what I am wearing. And as for being joyful, that is how you have made ME feel today.

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Mohika Mudgal's avatar

Hi Sally, this made me smile. You’re so right; it’s not about what we wear but how we treat people. I’m really glad my words brought you joy today. Yours did the same for me :)

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Abhishek Singh's avatar

I had Dosa yesterday and it was invented to make us feel good.

Agreed on not chasing external validation. Have been trying this, but it is more difficult than I thought. But I'm sure I'll be able to bring it to controllable level.

Also, love your daily observations packed with mindful learnings. Keep them coming! :)

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Mohika Mudgal's avatar

Haha yes, dosa is definitely comfort in food form! And I hear you, it really is hard to let go of that need for validation. But even noticing it and trying is a big step. Thank you for the kind words, Abhishek...means a lot! I’ll keep sharing :)

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Jane Baker's avatar

Wise words but I hope this little bit of external validation is acceptable!

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Mohika Mudgal's avatar

Haha Jane, this kind of validation is always welcome! Thank you for reading and for making me smile :)

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Karma lhendup bhutia's avatar

Good morning 🌅 just as usual loved your writing..

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Mohika Mudgal's avatar

Good morning, Karma! 🌞 So happy to hear that! Thank you for always reading and sending kindness my way :)

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