Some days, the universe winks at you

Let me tell you the story of one such day...

February 11th, Tuesday.

Amidst hectic work, I made plans to meet a travel friend I had met in Varkala.

We met in a café, sitting facing the mountains—a contrast to the beach views we shared when we first met. And in both settings, the conversation flowed. It didn’t feel like months had passed since we last spoke.

We talked about work, travel, and life. After an hour, it was time to go to a monastery.

Just as we were paying the bill, the person at the next table turned to me.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I heard you were a content creator and storyteller,” he said.

It’s probably the first time someone from the outside has called me that!

Then he told me about a beautiful organization he and his team were building—a platform for artists, by artists. A space for the 90% who often go ignored, a place where they could come together, share, and celebrate their art. Singing, storytelling, poetry, pottery, and more…

I told him about my journey—how I was travelling to different places, learning new things. That my first stop was Kalaripayattu in Kerala.

“No way! I was planning to go learn that this year!” he said.

We couldn’t finish the conversation as it was time to leave for the monastery, but whatever was shared still made my heart smile.

Somewhere in this world, there are people who are similar to you. Who will get you.

The monastery was mostly closed due to Buddhist festivals, but it was still so beautiful and peaceful that we spent hours just walking around. Our conversation picked up right where we left it in the café…

Now, this girl is four years younger than me, her energy so bubbly it’s contagious.

The last time I met her, she was full of stories and plans for the future. On one hand, she was taking on adult responsibilities at an age when most people were still figuring things out. On the other, her stories had a touch of sunshine and rainbows—the kind only someone unbruised by reality can have.

I loved her for both. And secretly, I hoped she could keep those rainbow-tinted glasses on forever. But hey, we know life doesn’t work that way. I wondered how she would fare when reality finally chose to slap her.

Turns out, she grew up and showed up stronger.

The rainbow glasses had come off, but instead of mourning them, she took a breather, blinked a few times, and embraced the blues of the sky, the greens of the trees, the barren browns of the mountains. She realized that rainbows or not, all is still good. Beauty is still there, waiting to be seen.

Despite the cloudy sky and the cold winds up at the monastery, my heart felt warm.

Somewhere in this world, there are people who grow up and mature in beautiful ways when life challenges them.

The conversation continued in another café. A couple of hours, a hot chocolate, and a sunset later, it was time to say goodbye and head to our respective stays.

Now, as much as I’ve travelled solo, walking alone in the dark is still unsettling.

And as much as it looks like I’m doing a lot, I’m still very much broke—and painfully aware of it.

When heading to the café in the afternoon, I walked for 40 minutes. Partly to explore Bir’s streets, partly to get some steps in. But mostly to save money. So, I wasn’t thrilled about spending on a cab back.

While waiting for one, a local stopped—probably because I accidentally waved, thinking it was a cab. He offered me a ride.

He was a student, doing his master’s in microbiology, just roaming around aimlessly for the evening.

“But why not with friends?” I asked.

Apparently, his friends drank and smoked a lot, and he wasn’t very into it. So sometimes, he just took his car and drove around instead.

He gave me suggestions on places to visit, calmed me down when I was convinced we were lost (everything looks different after dark!), and dropped me off with a smile.

I don’t typically hitch free rides. I’m too shy to ask for help. If not by accident, I would have never stopped a local and asked for one.

But this reminded me—if I ever needed it, if I were ever too broke, the world still has kindness. There are still good people in it. And I shouldn’t hesitate to reach out.

As I got out of the car and waved goodbye, even the faint moonlight shone as bright as the sun. I felt safe, reassured in its glow.

Somewhere in this world, there are people who will casually help you out when they see you need it.

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Some days, some moments are like this.

They happen out of nowhere and remind you why you’re doing what you’re doing.

They give you the strength and motivation to keep going.

They reassure you of the goodness in the world.

And when they do happen, make sure you allow them to happen. Take it all in—with all your heart.

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Little Joys

“Joy is always around if only we pause to acknowledge it.”

With life's burdens and big ambitions, it's easy to overlook our everyday joys. let’s take a moment to acknowledge the small joys from the last week. Here are mine -

• Breathing the mountain air and watching the mountain sunsets every day!

• Read a beautiful book in four days!

  

• Took a beautiful walk in the neighbourhood.

• Drank a delicious cup of hot chocolate.

• Got a few messages saying that people are enjoying reading what I write <3

So, tell me… what were your little joys of the week?

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Stories from my journey

I shared a blog on my 3 months Kalari journey - Three Months of Kalari: A Journey of Movement and Mindset.

Honestly, I’m still not over that journey even though I’m super happy to be here in Bir and slowing down. Like I spent an evening here reading through the sunset and it gave me the idea of finally doing the things on my Slow Down Bucket List. I’m doing a reel series on it and for the first one - a reel on reading through sunset. I also posted a reel on City Premium, talking about the difference between living in the city vs a small town.