Two Decades of Writing
Some gifts are marvelous in how they keep giving. Writing is one such gift: a gift that enables us to find light and joy in our lives. Just like that, this month marks two decades of my blogging journey. 20 years or 1040 weeks in which I wrote 1-2 posts a week, every week. (#syzygy)
Read also: Why do I write?
Two decades in which the husband and I filled our lives with children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends – young and old, colleagues, mentors and mentees. Many of whom made an appearance on the blog in some form or another. (#MyFamilyandOtherAnimals) I am always grateful for this journey of love, joy, friendship, and learning. The blog is a reminder for me that our extremely ordinary lives are filled with extraordinary moments and people.
A Tall Order
Chronicling all our lives is a tall order given the chaos and activity surrounding our modern lives. Yet, this little place in my mind always looked and mined for moments of reflection, growth, joy, and laughter, to record in my little blog. In recording these moments, I felt we were reliving these moments of beauty, and savoring them over again. Even as we worked, grew, read, wrote, painted, danced, traveled, hiked, biked, ran, walked, enjoyed the eternal gifts of nature, and relished the spots of solitude that came our way, we were growing older.
I spent a beautiful walk one evening reflecting on some of the extraordinary things that life has taught us, and that I learnt through the art of reflection, reading, and writing.
When finally the epiphany came, a startled blue jay squawked and gave me a baleful look before taking off to saner pastures.
Want to hear it?
As young adults, we are conditioned to crave fame, money, looks etc. But during the past two decades, we have all come to realize that working towards their less glamorous cousins: renown, wealth, and well-being are the secrets to happiness. Building habits around lasting happiness meant that indulging in the steady and sure work of building relationships, gaining education and experience, generating wealth, and focusing on mental, physical and spiritual well-being were the secrets.
We have enjoyed living in a time of relative international peace and cooperation thus far. I don’t know what the coming decades will hold for all of us. The world order is changing after all. But through it all, I hope the quiet reassuring ways in which we have led our lives thus far will help us. I hope the finer aspects of living will continue to enthrall us, give us hope, make us resilient, and do the best by those around us.
Thank you to my readers
Of course, the whole journey might’ve sizzled out if not for those of you read what I wrote. Many of you sent me further reading materials, or told me hilarious anecdotes knowing it is blog-worthy material.
To all of you who not only acknowledged, but also encouraged my efforts – thank you. I am eternally grateful – please continue to encourage me with your greatest gift of attention.
Nourish-n-Cherish 