Arundhati's Blog

My roots are in India. I was born and raised in a cosmopolitan city in India.So all through my childhood,my parents encouraged me to be multicultural.We lived in a neighborhood belonging to families from different ethnicities.During festivals,shared sweets and greetings with them,becoming a part of their celebrations.My dad was a music lover and watched him end his day after work, relaxing to Lps ranging from Rabindrasangeet to Indian Classical to Western Symphony. Remember frolicking and dancing on songs of ‘Sound of Music’ often.
Growing up, when I was in college, had French as a language and noticed a lot of Mauritian students in class whose roots were from India but conversed with each other fluently in French as that was their national language. While pursuing my masters mingled with a lot of international students who attended our university because it was called the ’Oxford of East’. It encouraged my learning process while I stayed awestruck listening about their culture.
When I got married at 24 and moved to the West,noticed it’s not different here either. Me and my husband would go on long drives watching Halloween Decorations and Christmas Lights.Still remember once when I was expecting my son,strolling down a brick laden street at Alexandria,VA during Christmas,enjoying how the city glowed with lights enhancing it’s ambience and thought to myself,this is no different than Diwali-the Festival of Light that we celebrate in India. Today years later, when my neighbors and friends exchange treats and sweets on Christmas with me,it’s like reliving that childhood I once did.
A friend recently opened my eyes that while I’m learning Yoga today,isn’t it amazing that all my Yoga teachers are Americans. A few days back I read a book of Dr.Wayne Dyer who researched on Tao Tse Ching by famous Chinese philosopher LaoTsu and was awestruck at his knowledge.
Remember a song we would sing when we were kids,’It’s a small world after all’.

It’s strange how in this journey of life we come across so many people who inspire us with their goodness. Sometimes we are lucky to meet such inspirations in person and sometimes we stay awed but sadly limited by just reading their wisdom that they share.
If I reel back in time, most of my teachers have been my inspiration but back then, my mind was too flighty and distracted to actually grasp in, their wisdom. But today, I think with maturity in age and sense,the yearning for inspiration has deepened.
A friend, I have reconnected through emails after 6 years is one such inspiration.Her letters has been a source of knowledge and wisdom to me.They have become a bedtime read for me, every night.
My neighbors,one of whom warmly welcomed me to her club when I was new in the neighborhood and extended a gesture of friendship.Another neighbor and friend who hosted a party at home.Encouraging a sense of community by hosting neighborhood parties, every summer by all of them.
Every morning, when I head for my Pilates class,there is this child in me that is as flighty as it was , when I was a kid yet has this deep yearning to learn.
My Yoga and Pilates teacher of 3 years, is one such inspiration who through her practice of 30 years has inspired many like me, teaching not just body alignment, precision in form in ballet, Yoga, Pilates but also enlightening many minds with her goodness that exudes from her heart and soul.
My son’s first grade teacher, who has been imparting knowledge for years on to kids and is unaware that while I was volunteering in her class for just a few hours every week, learnt how life should be lived and enjoyed exploring our inner child.
There are endless such inspirations and wisdoms that pass through us, everyday.It’s just staying mindful to let the wisdom permeate through our souls that finally matters in our lifetimes.
Consider myself lucky to come across such inspiration in person.

Hello All Inspiring Members of BraveHeart Community.

Today, I complete 1 month and 3 days as a member of this Elite Community. In the spirit of honesty, when I joined this community, I never thought I would be able to explore myself so much in such a short span.

My loving husband has always been my inspiration and my push in all my dreams be it my love for Yoga, writing, singing in the name of creativity. So I have never really tried to go beyond my blinkers of my husband and very few close friends to explore them.

But this community as vibrant and as inspiring it is, has opened an avenue to me that 'Our World Is One unbiased of ethnicity and culture. And more importantly, it is like the comfort of 'Home' to me where I can just be myself and express myself without any judgment or opinions.

Thank You to All The Pioneers Who have contributed to start such a Nobel Deed and All the Loving Members who are Enlightening Us through Their Knowledge and Wisdom.

With Love,
Arundhati.

Last evening,watched the news of death of Michael Jackson.Nostalgia rushed in, of my pigtail days where we sang,'We are the world' in school choirs and embraced compassion in 'Heal the World' and swayed hips in ' Beat it' carelessly and many more such heart thumping songs he gifted us with.
He defined what human emotions are through his Euphoria.
Growing up, thank the media, heard cynical criticisms of his personal life. Watched how media ridiculed the legend of 'Pop'.Yesterday watched the same media pouring out words of compassion on his death. Was wondering angrily"Is there any logic in how hypocrite our media gets?"
At 33, all I want to think of is, how soulful this talented man was to turn events in my life starting from Puppy Love to embracing Humankind through his songs.
Now listening and watching,"Heal The World" on Youtube,pray to God that 'May his soul rest in peace'.

A friend fwded this Joke.Check it out.-
Men Are Just Happier People-- What do you expect from such simple creatures? Their last name stays put. The garage is all theirs Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. They can never be pregnant. They can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. They can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell them the truth. The world is their urinal. They never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. They don ' t have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never stare at their chest when talking to them. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle their feet. One mood all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. They know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. They can open all your own jars. They get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite them, he or she can still be their friend.

Their underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. They almost never have strap problems in public. They are unable to see wrinkles in their clothes. Everything on their face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. They only have to shave their face and neck.

They can play with toys all their life. One wallet and one color for all seasons. They can wear shorts no matter how their legs look. They can "do" their nails with a pocket knife. They have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

They can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

I am 33,married and mother of a son and have been practising Yoga for the past 5 years now. When I started practising Yoga and Pilates in my late 20s, it was entirely to achieve a sculpted body like Dream-Come-True Inspirations - Denise Austin/ JLo and many more such celebrities who matched my age and proved that it's not impossible to have a toned body even after our "full sagging maternal bloom"(a better term for overweight).
But over the years, thank the dedication and love for Yogalates and Meditation, I realised that it was not just a physical pursuit but was attuning my mind more inwards.Realised that getting in tune in that spiritual realm was enticing and appeasing just like when I fell in love for the first time with my husband. Now having been commited like marriage to Yogalates for the past so many years, I have learnt that just like the 'One Man In My Life' who permeates through my soul, I have the spirituality of Yoga and Meditation too that permeates through me to connect me to my True Self,chipping of the remaining dabbling superficialities that were prominent in my 20s.