“I try to treat whoever I meet as an old friend. This gives me a genuine feeling of happiness. It is the practice of compassion.” Dalai Lama
Happy New Year everyone. May we all be surrounded by old and new friends always, but the only true friend resides deep inside our hearts. Let us nurture the relationship with the self this year, be more compassionate and gentle with ourselves. That is the only true relationship that matters - being authentic to ourselves and accepting ourselves with all the flaws and foibles. So the only resolution is not to break your own heart. “To fall in love with yourself is the first secret to happiness." -Robert Morely
I was heading out to meet an old friend in an auto-rickshaw on December 31 last year and the driver was both angry and sad and was ranting about the pandemic. I made sympathetic noises and let him speak as I felt that he needed a listener, even if it was a stranger to whom he could pour out his angst. As I reached my destination, I smiled at him and gave him a small tip, and wished him a happy new year with a smile. He looked me in the eye and said in Kannada, “ Forget happiness, all I want for you and me is health this year.” And that, my lovelies, is my wish for all of you, but it is topped with dollops of happiness.
Mindful Travel Amidst a Pandemic
Travel has always been a way of life for me, but the last couple of years have been rather challenging, especially on the personal front. I am not making any plans as yet but would like to slowly emerge out of my cocoon. I realized that a simple change in perspective and a little adjustment to my travel plans will help me discover new paths and also rediscover old haunts. For a traveller, it is always the journey that is the destination. And if you are unable to travel to exotic and far away destinations, here are some travel inspirations for you and some simple ways to travel and satiate your wanderlust And personally, these are my travel goals as well as I would like to make my journeys mindful and meaningful this year.
Become a tourist in your city - Document something new every week.
Picnic in your own backyard - A picnic basket amidst nature is just enough for some family time,
Travel around your hobby - Let birdwatching, trekking take you places. Travel for food. Discover hidden secrets as a heritage enthusiast
Travel for stories - There is a storyteller in each of us. So travel to meet people who will fascinate you and tell you their stories.
Do you have any more travel inspiration to share? Read this first post of 2022 in detail on my blog.
Feedback Please
Journeys and Jottings will be back in its full avtaar in the next issue. I am following my own advice and prioritizing self-care and taking this week off. Who else is still feeling the holiday blues? We are also working on a slightly revamped version of Journeys and Journeys. And if there is something that you would like to add, delete, modify or just give me feedback, please do leave a comment. Here is to new beginnings. Cheers !
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See you soon! You can also read my travel stories on my blog and follow me on my social media.
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