Category: Inpsiration

Food For Thought, Inpsiration, Journal

Wrapping up January 2018

Sanjay Sabarwal

It feels as if I just celebrated the end of last year and now one month in 2018 has passed. More and more often, the months go by and I struggle to maintain or create new habits and it hits me that as long as I strive to be the best version of myself, I cannot worry about what is pending. It is a constant reminder to love the moment, and not allow my mind to make up a story of how things really are. It is easy to slide into negativity or despair, or take each moment for what it is and keep working at it.

It is easy to criticize and berate myself that I didn’t eat as healthy as I wished, didn’t work out as many times or failed to get more clients, or allow myself breathing room and accept that so much of life is out of my control and that all I can do is be the best version of myself, put my foot forward and take a step towards being myself. In these quiet moments, when I slow down, my mind also slows and does not barrage me with how much I am NOT getting done.

I breathe. I contemplate. I make to do lists. I put it all in a physical form, and then I feel myself loosen, and instead of dread I meet the week with anticipation.

Happy Monday all!

Family, Food For Thought, Inpsiration, Journal

Birthday Thoughts

Sanjay Sabarwal

I love the morning quiet. Especially one start starts with a birthday. It gives me time to reflect and it helps that it is in the first month of the year. As each year passes, I become more aware of how blessed I am with the life given to be me. It motivates me to not waste time complaining about what I don’t have.

As I slowly recover from my jet lag, I am still struck by the amazing trip to India, and how well we were treated by family. More and more I fall in love with a country I made fun of at one point or another in my life. Sure, it has its limitations, but when there are people who genuinely make you feel care about, all the negativity falls away. I never thought I would think of going to India as a good time, yet already I am missing it since being back on Thursday.

With each birthday, I see more possibility and realization that constant change is life.  I not only get physically older but also am reminded that each new day is a gift to do either tasks or to live a life of possibility. There is no right or wrong way, but I am determined to spend less of it in regret and more of it in appreciation. Here’s to another year done, and more to come.

Food For Thought, Inpsiration, Journal

Breathing in Gratitude

Sanjay Sabarwal

2018 has already shown itself to be a formidable. More than a few around me are dealing with health issues, and is a constant reminder to love the moments I have with loved ones.  It is never easy to accept that the easiest way to make God laugh is to make plans for life. So I continue to breathe in gratitude and remind myself that so much of life is transitory and only what I decide to hold on will remain. That means spending quality time with loved ones and others that bring you joy. Remembering that work is a means to an end not the entire thing. That each moment I spend in judgement rather than gratitude means less love.

As I near the end of my trip in India. I am struck with how much perspective distance can provide. I began 2018 with lots of resolutions, but forgot that while that’s great, it is important to also have the  why. As my loved ones deal with difficult times, it is a reminder to not lose sight of the truly important in life. So I begin today by breathing in gratitude, and being present in the moment.

Family, Food For Thought, Inpsiration, Journal

Leaving 2017 for 2018

Sanjay Sabarwal

As I sit here in India in the morning quiet, I think about what it is that I wish from 2018.  A lot of the resolutions I began and continued. I am proud of all that I accomplished, yet there is a deep hunger inside me that tells me there is so much more I can do. I want to continue being uncomfortable, continue doing things I never did before, continue my vision to be a published author, a successful law firm, and finally get to the bane of my fitness existence; the pull up.

I love the new year because it is a reminder that as with all ends, there is always a beginning, a change to do over or commit to new chapters in my life. There is so much to do, but it is not just for the sake of doing but to leave a legacy, to leave the place better than I found it.

As I left 2017, surrounded by some family, my thoughts went to my dad and aunt, and excitement at seeing my family in India very soon. It is fitting that I am in a country that gives me so much joy, feels familiar and unfamiliar at the same time, and reminds me of my history. I am reminded of my blessings, and I am full of gratitude for all that I have in my life. I leave 2017 sadder but stronger, and I begin 2018 with hope and gratitude.

Happy Monday and 2018 all!

Family, Inpsiration

Essential Time

Sanjay Sabarwal

Yesterday, we laughed so much our stomachs hurts, and it was just family. It is times like these that continually remind how blessed I am to have the family that I do. It is not strange to me to always invite my cousins to any event we are going to, and that most of us count each other as great friends. This week, I am excited to end (most) of the month with one of my favorite cousins and his family while we prepare to end the year in India and begin 2018 there as well.

More and more, it has become clear to me that it is essential to have recharge buttons set up in life that remind me of why it matters to do what I do. It is way to wallow in self-pity, frustration, and grief. But if done right, there are moments like yesterday when all you do is laugh and feel comforted by being surrounded by people who truly love you.

Happy Monday!

Family, Food For Thought, Inpsiration, Journal

Stretching My Mind With Gratitude

Sanjay Sabarwal

This weekend, I got a chance to go to two holiday parties, a brunch with my old leadership group and then ended the night with family time with my cousins. It was a great reminder that when I open myself up to new experiences, new relationships form, and older ones get stronger. I joined BNI out of a fear of public speaking and networking and my crossfit gym because of my fear of free weights. Thanks to the Legacy Program of MITT, I got a chance to reunited with my old friends, and it energized me to do more for 2018!

The previous week I attended my writer’s critique group holiday party where it re-energized my commitment to continue writing and begin submitting my work to contests. I realize now that it takes work to be part of so many things, but they all serve me in so many ways. I got a chance to volunteer much more than previous years, and I am grateful that I have adopted the attitude of getting comfortable being uncomfortable.

I want to live a life of transformation and giving back. I want intimate time with loved ones, but most of all I want to live a life of my creation that is not filled with regret, doubt and resentment.  Yes, there are rough days. Days when I don’t feel like getting out of bed, or even facing my fears. But it is on those days when I get up that I am better for it. Failure is an option, but it doesn’t have to be the default choice.

Happy Monday!