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Mi, I toast you with a tumbler of freshly brewed kaapi!

Reflections on 11 Things Every Woman Should Write Down Before the Year Ends

Reflections on 11 Things Every Woman Should Write Down Before the Year Ends

Mi, you would love this article at Oprah’s called 11 Things Every Woman Should Write Down Before the Year Ends.

I was charmed by what I read. While I am not one to pick up a pen and take action on posts like these even if I intend to, in my head, this time I thought, why not? And took a pen and took action.

The post begins with these lines “There’s no better way to celebrate the rich, full life you’ve lived so far…and the big, bright future ahead…than telling your story.”

Truly. So nice to take stock every once in a while – and the end of the year in particular. So here we go, Mi.

Reflections

1. What Younger You Would Like About Present You

You know I dreamed of writing for a living. And thanks to your encouragement, I am living the dream today. I was able to be by your side and have the privilege of caring for you when your health took a turn for the worse. For that I am ever grateful.

Now, I can’t think of “going to work” unless you count walking to my computer. Working from home is a blessing.Taking time off when I feel like. I enjoy dressing up as though I am going out and then I simply go sit at my computer (a desktop) – get my music on and start working! And? I get to have coffee when I want, hot lunch if I feel like it, cook when the urge takes me, tea with Sury when he returns from work – and be a full time mommy to Vidur. I wish you were here, Mi.

2. The Watched/Read It List

Right now, am reading three books yes I have to and you know it!

Error Code Love by Suman Bhattacharya

Just one more thing by Peter Falk (of Columbo series fame)

Summer Moonshine by P G Wodehouse

The last movie I watched? “The Terminal” starring Tom Hanks.

Definitely see a pattern there. Three books at a time. Romedies while I work..ah yes. Multi-tasking at its best! I am so sad you did not see the box set we got of Columbo.

As a child I kept a list of what I read, thanks to you, Mi. Now I am too lazy. Sometimes I enjoy reading the same book after years and I enjoy reading Wodehouse

3. The Mistake You Never Want to Make

Gosh, which one shall I pick? Remember how a certain relative would always scold us all the time and make us feel small, Mi? Each time it happened, I would resolve not to do that to anyone. Okay, so maybe I lean towards sarcasm, but I’d never make someone feel small. I would never kill their self esteem. Then, remember that lady who visited us with her kid to see our cupboard when we were selling things off before moving cities? We were shocked when the child hit her and she hit him back, and scolded him rather nastily. Even today, that scene is fresh in my mind and when I get really mad, I just say a prayer, calm down and then open my mouth. Gosh, I’d never want to say things that would hurt someone.

4. Your Ideal Outfit

Ha, ha ha – you know me. I always dream of wearing a sharp suit. Why am I not wearing one right now? Because it is warm in it. That’s why.

5. A Deep, Dark—Shhh—Secret

The secret no one would suspect about me – shall remain a secret. You know it, Mi, and that’s one person too many. *Wink wink* And this information makes my inner life feel brighter. Yeah!

6. The Most Unexpected Compliment You Ever Got

Ah, I actually have had several unexpected compliments me – and I think I see them as unexpected because I am a lousy compliment accepter. I am learning though. Remember how I never took it seriously if someone called me beautiful? Because I never believed it.

One moment that stands out totally for me is when Vidur was 3 years old. The TV was on in the living room. You and he were in your room, playing. Then, the song “Dheere se aaja re akhiyan me” came on TV. Vidur dropped everything and came rushing on his little feet to the living room, ready to climb into my lap, thinking it was me singing. Then he looked at my mouth and ran to the TV screen and looked closely. After a minute or two, he concluded it was me singing on TV. He couldn’t stop telling you and Sury how I sang on TV. What a compliment to hold close to my heart.


Another that I cherish is when I went to a job interview and the interviewer told me that one of my professional references had come through with the statement “Vidya is dependable. If you ask her to draw water from a stone, she will do it”.  I remember crying.

7. That One Quote

“This too shall pass!” yes, that’s the one. And because I cannot stop at one, “Everything is possible”

8. The Best Surprise You’ve Ever Had

My life is full of lovely surprises. Marrying a wonderful man is something that “warped” my life for the better, especially because I kept claiming I was not cut out for marriage. As usual, you were right. And I am glad you were.

9. Your True Happiness

My perfect happiness is a lazy Sunday afternoon, after a busy morning where everyone is rushing around to finish their share of the chores, amid jokes, laughter and music. Then, lunch together followed by each of us settling in our favorite part of the house to do our thang. I love those peaceful hours, and the light nap sometimes, often with my soles being tickled. Oh yes! And when you were with us, we would all watch a movie together, Mi. Remember how we all cried buckets watching Dosti? Sigh.

And of course, memories of you, and special moments with my friends.

10. Your Favorite Failure

Quitting my corporate job before I got married was one thing. But being unable to take up a full time job made me feel like a failure, especially when we had our loans to pay and had a tough time managing our expenses. But had things worked out on that front, I would have never experienced the joy of working from home. I am so glad you and Sury believed I was super-talented and only had to pick one to make a career out of it, Mi!

*Cry break*

11. An Amendment to the Bucket List

I wouldn’t want to amend my bucket list. I dream of supporting an orphanage one day, Mi. I think I can do it. For now, I am trying to make a difference by supporting a few children. For myself, yes, I dream of traveling some more. I will. At this stage in my life, I like to look at a list I can work on and realize. And I thank you for cultivating the habit of making lists in me – and focusing my efforts on it.

That – indeed felt good!

It is time for a coffee.

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Vidya Sury

Writer, Editor, Blogger, Influencer. I blog/create content for businesses and edit manuscripts for authors and publishers. On my blogs, I write about all the things I enjoy in life: parenting, personal development, health and wellness, books, food, travel, gratitude, mindfulness, happiness. In my free time I play with my dust bunnies and show my diabetes who's boss.

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38 thoughts on “Reflections on 11 Things Every Woman Should Write Down Before the Year Ends”

  1. I have no words. I actually don’t. Each time you took a *cry break* so did I. Eleven things that have so beautifully etched your life on paper. I can not even point out what I loved best because each one was equally amazing. Your idea of a failure was actually the onset of the most wonderful decision. I cannot imagine my life in here without you blogging. And then your lessons from that incident of mother-child. God I made notes at that time.

    Vidya my love, this brightened my morning and made me feel so much better about my own life. *hugs*

    And now hopping on to write mine!!

  2. How effortlessly your words flow and you manage to take us back with these memories, Vidya. Now I’m imagining you in a sharp suit – worn just for no reason! 😉
    One word that comes to mind as I read this is: contentment. ♥♥

  3. This was beautiful Vidya…your life as you recount through these 11 things… Every post of yours makes me feel warm n bright n lovely…this one did too! Lv

  4. Luvely read Vidya! Woah hts indeed a glowing reco – water from stone huh .. Impressive!

  5. Simply beautiful reflections. I have read the entire post, twice! There’s so much of wisdom, learnings, memories, smiles and inspiration in these 11 things you have shared!! Thanks for sharing this with us, Vidya! ♥

  6. Second what Shilpa wrote above.. there is so much to learn from what you have written Vidya… Indeed a beautiful way to round of the year 🙂

  7. This is beautiful and soul stirring, Vidya. I love No. 6. Such sweetness from your boy.

    You’ve inspired me to create a similar list. Heck, you’ve inspired me to just plain CREATE.

    I love your words, your heart. Best wishes to you and yours for a peaceful and charmed 2014.

    1. Thank you, Lisa! I am delighted to see your comment and I’d love to see your list! You know you inspire me!

      Loved that photo of your grandson on Facebook looking at his own nose! 🙂 Hugs! I wish you a wonderful, wonderful 2014!

    1. Thank you, Sharon! 🙂 I am so glad you’re here. I thought of you when I wrote this post.

      I am truly blessed. Life has been a good teacher to me! Love, and Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!

  9. Such lovely memories, such wonderful knowledge, this was a different walk down memory lane with you given the golden nuggets of knowledge that you have shared in this post 😀

  12. Vidya, I am not ashamed to say that I did too take the odd “cry breaks@” reading this heart-warming post of yours. Thank you sharing those memories 🙂

  14. What a way to conclude reflections! I can feel each emotion come out so beautifully.

    Another of your posts that make the reader know a little bit more about you..and what a revelation! Lovely 🙂

  15. This is so beautiful, Vidya, but then your writing is just like you — warm, comforting and filled with love. Point number 1 is just like you were writing for me except for the taking care of mom part. I can’t imagine “going to work” either. Ah, I would love to dress in a sharp suit as well. God bless!

  16. Great reflections Vidya for this year. I loved all the points especially your dream of supporting an orphanage is truly inspiring. We can learn so much from you. Wishing you a prosperous New Year 2014.

  17. You have made all the right choices and the effortless manner in which the reflections have been penned show the rounded personality that you are, Vidya:) May the New Year bring more cheer and happiness to you and your family!

  19. We share point 1 🙂 Thanks to you and Shilpa, I made my list too. It is amazing how healing things are when you write it down!

    And I love the notification I have to tick before I post the comment. Yes! I did!

  22. Vidya, I normally comment any post I read..somehow, I don’t do that much on your space even though I read some of them. let me be honest with you, You along with Corinne and Shilpa has really inspired me to write down that list. I had been thinking, I didn’t do one post for the year end…coming here and reading this, gave me strength and thought to write mine 🙂
    Loved reading your eleven things, joyful 🙂

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