Journeys and Jottings
Issue 60 - Happy New Year . A milestone birthday. Little notes to myself. Gratitude
“Someday you will be old enough enough to read fairy tales again, “ CS Lewis
That made me wonder - Is there an age for fairy tales? As I start yet another journey around the sun, this time entering the fifth decade (thebigfiveO) I am grateful for all the love. I realized that I am as always filled with a childlike curiosity, full of awe and wonder and always craving for a new adventure, a mystery, some fun, and want to explore faraway lands and listen to fascinating stories. And I love fairy tales and can read them anytime, anywhere.
Happy New Year everyone. As the new year dawns and the warm winter sun seeps in through the window, lighting up my succulents which are nodding to the warmth, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. A heartfelt thank you to all of you who are reading this newsletter, especially those who have paid generously and supported my work, and to the little community of wonderful writers here who continue to inspire me.
It’s that time of the year again when you start afresh, realign your priorities, let go of anything that doesn’t serve you anymore, and move on with new intentions and resolutions. The word for me is liberating. I feel like turning the page is the best feeling in my life. I feel like I am ready for a new chapter, letting go of old patterns and moving on to something more meaningful and real.
Last January, I penned these little thoughts at the start of the year and they continue to be my pillars this year as well. But I still added a little more this year.
Dont just have fun, BE Fun
Dont burn or build bridges
Make time and spend more of it with me
Be gentle and compassionate to me
Silence is strength. Build more resilience
Life is a slow dance. Enjoy the rhythm.
Actions precede feelings. Be more consistent
No validation is required.
Be mindful. Only the present matters
Practise gratitude. Trust the universe.
Most importantly, taking things slow and steady, being consistent and focussed. Be more of the tortoise and less of the hare. Show up but slow down. The journey is the destination. I don’t want my day to be a string of to-dos. Imbibing the spirit of the moment, giving myself enough time to savour the day, making room for more empty spaces, decluttering and letting go, focussing on simplicity, and allowing myself to be silly, surprised, sing and laugh more and enjoy the simple joys of life.. this is my wish for me and all of you this year.
Have a wonderful year everyone. Looking forward to connecting with all of you more often this year.
Support my work, please
I do hope that you enjoyed reading this issue. Looking forward to your feedback as always. As mentioned earlier, if you would like to collaborate do drop in a message here.
And if you did like reading this issue, would appreciate it if you could upgrade to being a paid subscriber. It costs less than $1 a month and around $10 for the whole year. It would go a long way in supporting me and my work.
We are going to keep the flow of conversations going and I would appreciate it if you would share my newsletter with your friends and family.
See you soon! You can also read my travel stories on my blog and follow me on my social media.
Blog - www.lakshmisharath.com
Twitter - www.twitter.com/lakshmisharath
Facebook - www.facebook.com/travelwithlakshmi
Instagram - www.instagram.com/lakshmisharath
What a beautiful and reflective post! The emphasis on being fun, building bridges instead of burning them, and taking time for oneself is a refreshing perspective on personal growth. Looking forward to connecting more often this year as well. Have a wonderful year!
A fellow believer in fairy tales, magic and everything evoking awe. Welcome to the golden years ✨️ Nice, soothing tone to your first composition of 2024.