Journeys and Jottings
People Make Places - Issue 5
“The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.” Abraham Lincoln.
When the pandemic engulfed our life last year, I was at my wit’s end. I had a few personal challenges as well and my ability to cope with life literally gave way. That is when my therapist, Sukanya told me to focus on just one day at a time. It seemed like a rather simple phrase but it turned out to be a powerful mantra for me. It’s not that my anxiety vanished overnight, but every time I would find myself spiralling with catastrophic thoughts, I would learn to take one day, one moment at a time and hold on to it. I learnt to appreciate the flowers blooming in my garden, the birds singing at my window sill, the dappled sunlight on my wall, the warm cup of tea in my hands, the reassuring words of a friend, the comforting presence of family, the unconditional love of my pet. And I lived my life, collecting these moments like a precious treasure, stringing them together as days became months and now, to a year. It has not been easy. I would be lying if I said so. But it has given me a sense of hope that we shall overcome this most difficult phase of our lives.
Welcome to this issue of Journeys and Jottings. An issue dedicated to every volunteer out there, front line health workers, social media covid warriors . There are a few resources that I have collated, including some fund raisers, especially for the rustic and tribal people and details regarding child care support. This issue also focusses on mental health as I share some tips from my therapist, Sukanya to manage anxiety. In People Make Places section, we meet Aman Bahirvani, a very fascinating animal communicator, who has connected to a variety of animals from dogs and cats to crocodiles and snakes. And we go on a cruise to do some bird watching in Goa in 100 Stories of India. But before that, a little glimpse into an artist’s life and his inspiration.
Vincent Van Gogh and his series on Irises.
Pic Courtesy - Vincent van Gogh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Vincent Van Gogh, the celebrated Dutch painter was admitted to an asylum in France in the year of 1889. Initially, he was confined to his room but slowly he was allowed to walk in the gardens. An article that I read speaks of how the gardens inspired him to paint over 130 paintings, notably among them, the series on Irises. The writer says, “And it was here that he noticed, in a legendary act of concentrated aesthetic absorption, the gnarled roots of a southern pine, the blossom on an apple tree, a caterpillar on its way across a leaf and – most famously – the bloom of a succession of purple irises. “
Pic Courtesy - Vincent van Gogh, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
There are several interpretations about the paintings and the painter, but these words stayed with me. “ His Vase with Irises is no sentimental study of a common flower: it is the work of a pivotal figure in Western culture struggling to make it to the end of the day without doing himself in – and clinging on, very tightly indeed, with the hands of a genius, to a reason to live. “
Coping with Anxiety and Anger.
There is anger, anguish, anxiety but let us pray that we can get past this pandemic, one day at a time. Everyone has different coping mechanisms and there are no right or wrong methods. It is about what works for you but let’s all be a bit compassionate and not judge people. For instance, escaping from reality or forcing positivity doesnt help for me. Neither does dwelling in anxious thoughts or feelings or expressing my anger constantly. What really works for me is to accept and acknowledge what I am feeling right now. I either just write it down on a journal and then let it go. Sometimes visualisation helps.
I tried a Meditation Technique today with Headspace app using Visualisation. It was focussed on Wellbeing. I imagined myself starting my day in a personal space that made me feel safe and it was like my oasis. From sipping my morning cup of tea to going for a walk in the sunshine, it felt good for a few moments. And that is when I realized that Visualising a Sense of Well Being is a form of self care. And you don’t need to feel guilty about it. You are grateful to the universe for this very moment that you are safe and you are reaffirming the same to your body and mind. It’s about being kind and gentle to yourself.
A detailed thread that I shared on twitter about some of the tips shared by my therapist, Sukanya. She has also spoken about the same in this video
There is bound to be a certain amount of anxiety for everyone and do watch out for signs . The signs are seen in the physical body, our behavior , cognitive abilities and in our emotions .
Treat every toxic and negative thought as a hot potato and drop it. The moment the mind starts going into a spiral, think of a hot potato in your hand and drop it immediately .
Focus on healing yourself first and priortise self care. It’s ok if you are not productive . Remember that you are taking time out to heal yourself
Spend time with friends and family and connect with them online. Speak to them. It’s better than speaking to yourself
Physical exercises is a must . If you can’t walk in your apartment just move around or do some stretches every two hours. Do meditation or breathing exercises
Avoid social media if possible and don’t consume every news on COVID . You don’t need to update yourself with every update . It’s not a scorecard
Have a routine . A simple schedule . Dress up and have a cup of tea with your friend online . Or play a game with your family . Have a schedule that helps you deal with chores
Write a journal to keep track of your thoughts and patterns . Try a gratitude journal which will help you deal with the negative emotions
And maintain a balance between personal and professional spaces if you are working from home . These lines may blur and it helps to be a bit flexible
Focus on what is in your control and accept that right now, things are beyond our control.
Book Recommedation - The Anxiety Toolkit by Alice Boyes
100 Stories of India
There is always a sense of intrigue when you begin a journey in the dark. There is a certain rawness, a dense silence that you can feel in the wild. The bushes crowd around you; it is cold and dark . I shiver a bit, reaching out to a cup of chai to keep me warm and reassured. For a moment, my senses are lulled by the chill morning breeze. I look around and see the shadowy outlines of the coconut trees standing tall, lit by the moonlight.
It takes a moment to sink in. I am in the jungles of South Goa, waiting for the drama to enfold as another day dawns in the wild. It is the wee hours of the morning and I have an early morning date with the birds, not in the forests, but in a river. I am not a morning person, but the lure of catching a day-break on the river bed was motivation enough to drag me out of bed in the wee hours of the morning.
People Make Places
I met Aman Bahirvani a couple of years ago when Cookie flew away. Cartoon followed suit, along with his mate Baby. Cookie, Cartoon and Baby were cockatiels that I had fostered and they came into my life when I was going through a very difficult period. Cookie and Cartoon reinforced my faith in life and then along with Baby gave me unconditional joy until they decided to fly away. I was broken but I heard of Aman, a pet communicator through social media and reached out to him. He told me to let them go and that they were safe and taken care of. I have never really been into pets - dogs, cats or birds. But something changed in me. I started taking care of strays and felt a lot of compassion for them. My husband and I along with a few friends started feeding a pack of pups in the park last year when the lockdown began. And Aman helped me track a couple of them when they disappeared. Eventually we brought Raju, one of them home as he was semi paralysed after some drunken monsters hit him with glass bottles and a huge stone. Aman helped us communicate with Raju at every step - from hospital to home and has changed us into pet parents.
A lot of people do not understand how animal communicators work. I dont either. Most of them are sceptical. But my friends and I have seen his work and it is rather amazing. I decided to introduce him to my subscribers as I found his communication with animals rather fascinating. Aman is a canine behaviorist, dog trainer and an interspecies telepathic communicator with thousands of hours of training and consultation under his belt. He has founded an initiation named 'Pet Academic Center', an elite club for pet parents and animal welfare workers. Aman can be reached on instagram as Mr.Bahirvani
1.Can you tell us the role of an animal communicator and how it helps both the pets and their parents ?
An animal communicator is the missing link between a pet parent and their pet. Animal communicators have learned the art of communication without the use of traditional elements like verbal speech or gestures. With the help of rigorous practice, telepathic communicators are able to converse with landscapes, plants and animals. With the help of these skills they can help parents have a deeper connection and understanding of their pets. Using the telepathic medium to assess situations related to animals has proven beneficial for many families, as it decodes their pet’s non-verbal behaviour with logical explanation.
2.Who inspired you to become an animal communicator ?
The first time I heard and saw an interspecies telepathic communicator in action was Anna Breytenbach. In her video she was communicating with a black leopard named Diablo. He was rescued by an ex-policeman turned conservationist who dedicated his life toward the care for big cats like Diablo. Most of the Big Cats were rescued from zoos and hunting farms. Anna was called to speak with Diablo as he was vicious and out of control. She spoke to him using her thoughts and images and watching her so focussed yet calm made me wonder. Was Diablo actually listening? After a while Anna spoke about her interaction with Diablo and she revealed information that was disclosed to her. At this point I was completely amazed! This communication made me realize the depth with which animals can speak. After Anna’s conversation I watched the leopard and he was calm and content and this turned me into a believer!
3.Can you share some of your experiences with us - especially an unusual one.
Last year I was approached by a rescue group to communicate with a crocodile who was stuck in a poaching trap in Goa. The rescuers reached the location after they were called by the locals and by the time they cleared the surrounding area, the crocodile was missing again. They were concerned and wished to know what happened to it. During my conversation with the crocodile she revealed that she had seen the steel wires before and even though she didn’t know it was used for poaching, she knew it would harm her and so she was trying to break it when she accidentally got herself trapped in it. When she saw the rescuers arrive she assumed it was the poachers and panicked, in this moment she luckily snapped out of the wire and could escape. She revealed that she cut herself inside her jaw and the left side of her stomach but she was clear that she doesn’t need humans to intervene. She requested me not to get officials involved in that location as they will sell her instead by saying crocodiles are a threat to the villagers. Her message to the rescuers was to stay patient with other animals and not to trap them in the name of rescuing. I’ll never forget this conversation as it made me see the soul I speak to and almost forget the species. We humans are so compelled to think we know best that we have lost any and all connections with other species.
4.Do you still find a lot of cynicism or are people more accepting ?
I see a change in the mindset of many individuals toward the concept of interspecies telepathic communication. After being mentioned by a few well-known personalities the concept of communicating with animals has surely gained interest. However, interest and intrigue bring with them a large amount of scepticism and that contributes to a failed communication. When pet parents are new to this concept we urge them to stay open-minded as this will help the animal sense some comfort and trust the communicator to disclose details. Sometimes pet parents are so sceptical that they end up sabotaging their own details with an aim to test the communicator. This doesn’t help either of us as the communicator will not receive accurate information.
5.How can pet parents help their pets during this pandemic ?
While we are all trying our best to stay healthy during these difficult times, we need to understand that our pets need mental stimulation as well. Pets show emotions of feeling depressed and agitated, we should acknowledge these emotions and try to find a way for them to feel safe, comfortable and loved. Many pet parents are unable to assess these emotions and that is where an Interspecies Telepathic Communicator can help. Get in touch with a well-trusted communicator who will help you decode your pet’s behaviour and assist you in building a deeper bond of trust and affection with your pet.
COVID Resources
It is heartening to see so many people coming together to help each other out, be it with home cooked food or mental health. There are also several others raising funds - for tribals, migrants and for remote villages. While I have shared a few resources in my last issue, I am adding a few more here. You can help in small ways - by assisting a neighbour, getting your domestic help or security guard get vaccinated and keeping yourself healthy.
COLLATED RESOURCES IN A FILE
A comprehensive and dynamic file of resources compiled by a dear friend, Mamta aka @silverlightgal on twitter. A huge shout out to her for her relentless work, despite her own personal tragedy.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UhpcbzFbG057s4KdpNbZAB62PkAyHFUijMB1CuYvzro/edit?usp=sharing
MEDICAL NEEDS FOR TRIBALS OF UMARIA
Another friend and traveller, Priyanka Gupta @guptapranky on twitter has along with her friends and IIT Alumni and the Additional Collector of Umaria has started this fund raiser and you can help them get oxygen concentrators .
https://milaap.org/fundraisers/support-with-oxygen-concetrators-to-people
SUPPORT TRIBAL FAMILIES IN THE BUFFER ZONE OF PANNA
Last Wilderness Foundation is seeking support to help 1000 families across 10 villages in the buffer zone of Panna National Park .
https://thelastwilderness.org/donate/
MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR THE IDU MISHMI PEOPLE IN DIRANG VALLEY
The last of the animist tribes living in the remote North East corner of Dirang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh need your help and support
https://milaap.org/fundraisers/support-the-idu-mishmi-people
CHILD CARE SUPPORT
Helpline numbers for you. Remember adoption is illegal unless its routed through CARA.
Stay at home and stay safe
I do hope that we will all overcome this phase together. Stay safe, stay at home, and get vaccinated at the earliest. Looking forward to your feedback as always. We are going to keep the flow of conversations going and I would really appreciate it if you will 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
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Hello Lakshmi,
This issue has come on a day when I am at my lowest since the pandemic began
Every single day for the last 03 weeks has brought only bad news and more- there is angst, there is frustration, there is despondency but in the midst of all this despair, you read about a noble soul helping the lesser privileged, a neighbor going that extra mile to cook for a Covid positive family, a group of friends collecting money to source an oxygen cylinder for the parents of another friend who is not in India and you feel blessed that humanity still exists. There is still hope that we will conquer this invisible enemy that is spreading so ruthlessly and causing so much anguish and suffering.
This issue has brought hope, particularly after reading about Van Gogh and his Vase with Irises. Every single painting of his that relates to Nature-Sunflowers, Poppies, Almond Blossoms and many more brings so much delight.
As each story seamlessly wove into the next, I felt the gloom and despair lifting and am now ready to face more challenges – such is the magic of your writing!
May tomorrow be a better day for all of us, a day when nobody suffers, nobody is pained and nobody loses a loved one- may tomorrow be a happier, healthier and safer day for everyone.
Thank you Lakshmi for this issue; more strength to you so that you continue to inspire us
Stay Safe, Stay Well
Regards
Aruna