The Things I Love Doing Alone

 

The Things I Love Doing Alone

 

 

Shopping—Aside from grocery shopping, I love shopping, especially when I'm alone. When it comes to clothes and accessories, I enjoy taking solo trips. I can take my time, avoid being swayed by someone else's suggestions, and choose whether to buy or not. Unlike grocery shopping, the load is never too heavy.

Dancing- I have 2 left feet and cannot bring myself to dance in public. I am overcome by an unimaginable sense of shyness and fear that I am doing it all wrong. Being home alone is a completely different story. There are days when I switch on music, literally let my hair down and strut my stuff. I know nobody's watching and couldn't be bothered whether I look like a monkey or a bear or whether I’m doing it right or wrong. Just moving to the rhythm of the music gives me a high.

Reading—happiness is curling up with your favourite author when you’re home alone. I enjoy reading and reading minus the distractions is taking happiness to another level.

Writing - Writing needs concentration, and I do it best when alone. Ideas are more forthcoming in the absence of sound and movement. 

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Exercise - it’s fun to exercise in a group or with family and friends but going on that solitary walk also appeals to me. I can walk at my own pace, in my own time and enjoy my own company.

Watching TV/ Binge watching - Binge watching shows that I love all by myself is just so cool.  My husband and I have vastly different choices, and alone I can enjoy the show to the fullest.

Enjoying your own company is great. There are times when you want to be alone, or you have no qualms about doing stuff alone, or there is certain stuff that you love doing alone. 

#I'm participating in BlogchatterA2Z challenge. 

Imagecredit : Pixabay. 
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The Things I Love About Life

 The Things I Love About Life

 

Despite the many forms of ugliness prevalent in the world and the curve balls and lemons that life throws at me, testing my resilience and strength I love that life is still good to me and offers me so much in terms of beauty, joy and connection which makes the journey worthwhile. I enjoy all the material trappings that life provides, but there is so much more that doesn’t’ cost a penny, that life allows me to enjoy.

"What do I love about life?"

 

Family and friends:

I was born into a family that loved and cared for me. My parents inculcated values that have held me in good stead. I have been blessed with a good spouse and two great children. Despite the many challenges that we have faced, we are still family. I can boast of some beautiful friendships that have stood the test of time, distance and other factors. Life is beautiful. Besides loved ones, life sometimes sends strangers in strangers to help you. Such memorable moments. 

 

The beauty of nature:

Life has allowed me to enjoy the beauty of Mother Earth. From the oceans, forests,  mountains, flora and fauna to the trees outside my window, it truly is a beautiful world. It’s lovely to wake up to sunshine each morning or to gaze at the silvery moon and the stars at night. I love the walks I can take in the numerous parks and gardens, as I commune with nature. 

 

Learning and Growth:

 Life has presented me with quite a few lemons, but with each lemon, there has been an opportunity for learning and growth. Each challenge has made me wiser and stronger. Life does not stunt my growth. It allows me to forge ahead, to try again and try the new.

 

Food:

I’ve never gone to bed hungry. Besides home food, I  also enjoy the luxury of trying out various cuisines at home and when dining out.

 

Adventure and travel:

I am a travel buff and life allows me to explore my motherland and beyond treating me to scenic beauty, monuments, adventure, new cultures and perspectives.

 

Creativity and Expression:

Life offers me mediums to create and express my thoughts. To name a few, there is art, music and writing through which I can convey my thoughts and emotions to the world.

 

Laughter and Smiles:

Life ensures that precious moments bring a smile to my face or big fat guffaws of heartwarming laughter.

 

Hope:

When I plunge into darkness and despair, life sends me those precious glimmers of hope which help me stay afloat. These beacons of light guide me during the fiercest of storms and give me the courage and strength to keep moving.

Books 

life has provided for the bookworm in me. There are so many books and so little time. A book a day keeps the blues away. Life has given me books in all forms. I'm spoilt for choice. 

Only focusing on the difficult parts of life, is miserable. Finding joy in life is going to make me happier and healthier.

 

What are your favourite things about life? 

This post is part of the BlogChatterHalfMarathon2024

Image credits : picture gallery of ' yours truly.' 

 

 

Food As A Language of Love

 

Food goes beyond being a means of sustenance. It brings people together. It fosters bonds of love, care and kindness. “The way to man’s heart is through his stomach, said somebody and thus wrote my Father to my mother, “Your every dish is a poem," in a recipe book that he gifted to her.

How does food create a language of love?

§  Cooking Together – Preparing a meal with someone, whether it is parents cooking together or parents and children or siblings or friends or newlyweds - Amidst the cleaning chopping and stirring, a rapport is built and bonds are strengthened.

§  Sharing meals – Family meals spread positive vibes and bring the family closer. Leaving behind or even sharing the rants of the day, family come together to share and bond over food. It is also an opportunity to thank the one who prepared the meal which is often the mom.

§  Cultural connection – Food celebrates cultural diversity. The lunch hour in workplaces resembles a restaurant with different cuisines to relish. I fondly recall the school lunch hour where we ate from each other’s lunch boxes meals so lovingly prepared by our mothers. Devilled eggs, Jhaal Muri and endless cups of tea were among the food items over which we created and strengthened our bonds of friendship in the college. 

§  Occasions – Birthdays anniversaries, and milestones all call for celebration and what is a celebration without food? Food may be an integral part of a memorial service celebrating the departed's life. As a birthday remembrance, a lunch was organised to celebrate the life and times of my recently departed mother–in–law who incidentally, cooked some awesome food.

§  Comfort food – Comfort food may not always be healthy but it is connected to love and warmth that you may be in dire need at some point in your life. 

Food is therefore a fantastic language that speaks of love in so many different ways.  

 

Image Credit - Freepik images

#Blogchatterfoodfest

Love, sweet love #Remembering Love Bloghop

I Love You         

 

You’re the love of my life,

My source of joy, my inner strength,

My dream every night.

 

You’re the light I seek,

The friend I want to keep.

You understand,

You make no demands.

 

You listen, you appreciate,

Yet you’re my toughest critic,

That’s a blessing I don’t want to forsake.

 

We share our dreams and our fears,

Helping each other through the years,

We argue and disagree,

Yes, love is not easy.

 

I’m flawed and so are you

But the love we share

It is sweet and true.

 

And so I say, again and again,

I love you now and forever more.

My lover and my partner,

Together we shall soar.

Tips to help you improve your love life.

§  You prioritize your partner’s happiness before your own.

§  You love unconditionally, quirks and flaws and work around them to ensure a peaceful and long-lasting relationship.

§  You allow your partner enough time and space for themselves.

§  You’re both, your partner's toughest critic and greatest fan.

§  You believe that actions speak louder than words.

§  You tend to your unwell partner, even waking up in the middle of the night, despite being tired.

§  You stand by the love of your life in their darkest hour and celebrate their achievements.

§  You share a laugh with your sweetheart, not at their expense.

L

L Love is a beautiful emotion, but not as straightforward as we would like it to be. 💑Relationships need to be sustained and never taken for granted. 💓So if you are in love, may you continue to appreciate and cherish your partner and if you are looking for love may you find the love of your life.💘

HHappy Valentine's Day!💕

TThis post is part of the 'RememberingLove'BlogHop hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed.