in tulA with Hyma

 As humans I believe we have evolved by growing alongside each other. In the early years of civilisation by sharing knowledge, learning from each other and inventing things from the necessities of the time. Once civilisations expanded and societies progressed, humans started competing with each other. Divisions in society began with classifications of people basis work they did in turn leading to some jobs being considered superior to others. Thus was born division of labour! So, what does this have to do with FOMO?! Well, its my take and anyone is free to disagree. Classifications basis work, education, wealth etc lead to people settling in different homogeneuos groups forming their own societies. From here on, the intrinsic nature of humans seem to be on living with the society. Anyone who thinks differently was called a rebel or revolutionary. So, society seems to have been built on the very concept of FOMO -Fear of missing out! What is FOMO? It can be understood as the desire t...

As I was pondering over the various topics to write about, my maid casually dropped one on my lap as she was leaving the house. My usually bright and smiling maid looked noticeably tired and dull. Its become my practice to have a shot of coffee while i make a cup for her every morning. Upon inquiring, she mentioned about feeling exhausted as she is on her monthly cycle. So I told her to rest a while and made her 2 hot dosas along with the coffee.  Gratitude completely washes over  when you witness what just a simple meal can do for a tired body and how, many people work so hard to earn that one simple meal. 2 dosas and a cup of piping hot coffee in, 30 minutes of ranting out. My maid went on to describe how off late she is feeling exhausted and lazy. She went on to say she has palpitations and an unfounded fear at the slightest sound or noise. In as many words as she could she was describing to me about all her peri menopausal symptoms.  As I have battled most and more of...

All of us, when we ponder deep, will be able to find that one thing that soothes and comforts us. To me it is the swing at my home! Gifted by my father to my lil one(her first gift from her most fav person in the world), its even more special😍 Thinking back, it seems like I have grown up with swings all around me. Where I grew up in Madras, we had a swing at the backyard of the house. When I travelled the length and breadth of Kumbakonam or Mayavaram in my childhood, every house in every village or town had swings at the homes.  Swing was and is an integral part of my everyday life. Even though am surrounded by chairs and couches, I still go for the comfort of the swing. The breeze wafting through and the oscillating movement not just calms my mind but brings back beautiful memories along with. Have fond memories of just swinging, listening to stories from my kollu Patti (great grand mother),  learning English and hearing panchatantra stories from Thatha (in the end we have t...

My dear daughter is slowly turning into my life coach. The other day, for the very first time, we ordered food online and enjoyed a calm dinner at home. While enjoying the warm food on the table, she says to me ”Amma, you should pamper yourself like this from time to time. Order food home, go to a spa and dance to some music etc”. I wonder why you never do it?” That kind of caught me off guard and I realized how am always busy doing things around the house but probably not taking time out for myself except once in a while with my friends”. What she meant was, to take time out for myself, with myself. My own me time. In a world of social media explosion, am sure most of us have come across reels, shorts, videos or podcasts talking about how we should be kind to ourselves and love ourselves unconditionally. This is something I have been trying to get my mind around. What it means to love yourself and be kind to yourself. Why would anyone need to do this? Isn’t love to be received by us...