Category: Inpsiration

Inpsiration

Breathing Easy

Sanjay Sabarwal

take-a-breath-and-let-the-rest-come-easy-quoteBeen a few days back from London, and it hit me how crazy the past month has been. From two weddings, to moving, to being out of the country, there hasn’t been much time to reflect or do my habits of meditating, and working out or even going to work regularly.  For a while, I indulged in feeling guilting until it began to feel suffocating. I realized that I had this fear of slipping back into gaining weight and over thinking things or disappointing co-workers and clients,.  I paused, and really focused that this was a temporary break not me taking a step back.

Sometimes, I make up scenarios in my head that are way worse than reality, and I now get to take a pause, ground myself, and trust that I will always head back to my chosen path. I get to trust myself, but more important, I get to accept that nothing is in my control and I can waste time bemoaning how the present is, or accept for what it: now.

So I take a breath. Take it in. And trust that it will all work out. It always has.

Food For Thought, Inpsiration

#happilyeversood

Sanjay Sabarwal

1376f5d19b3952b945ec871ce97b3458Still abuzz from last night’s amazing reception ready for my brother-in-law Ricky Sood and his new bride Sabina Sood. It’s surreal to see how much love can come together in one room when so many gather to witness and celebrate the union of two who deeply love each other, and have shown that with time some bonds not only get stronger, but transform from dating to relationship to a life long commitment.

It was easy to take a moment and just be grateful for it all, to know that this too was another unique moment that should be lost to petty fights or emotional exchanges or perhaps it all added to the flavor of the weeks festivities. It all comes down to how everyone adjusts to enjoy a milestone in a way that is an inspiring reminder as to why so many mark this occasion with thunderous joy.

Each day of this wedding created so many moments that will leave lasting impressions on some or all. It’s easy to celebrate so much love when you see it in the couples eyes for each other. So Ricky and Sabina, congratulations once again and welcome to the family!

Inpsiration

Independence Thought

Sanjay Sabarwal

susanbanthony380664Even though I no longer think of India as my home, its appropriate that today it is it’s Independence Day. I unshackled a lot of baggage that include self-doubt, lack of self-worth and just plain stuckness in the past few years. That independence only came after being in a hospital room recovering from brain surgery.

I spent so much of my time not acting due to fear. Even an earlier stroke did not derail me from the path of doubt. Only when I was in hospital room again did I realize that I could either get ready for another visit or I could take steps to make myself a different life.  Yes, I knew a chronic condition I was unaware of caused it, but it also hit me that did not mean, it would define me. I would not live a life unlearned, unloved or lacking.

No longer do I wish to be a writer, a lawyer, a business person, being kind or fit. I do it every day. It may not matter what the end looks like, but the point is that I am living my vision rather than dreaming of it. And that, in itself, is Independence
.

Food For Thought, Inpsiration

Facebook Hiding

Sanjay Sabarwal

mask-truth-self-quotes3It’s hard to be on Facebook sometimes. When tragedy strikes or some kind of win ( NBA finals), I get a steady stream of opinions, thoughts, and fights that it makes me want to quit social media. It is this kind of barrage that makes me wonder when the lines for oversharing were blurred. It feels as if everyone (including me) has a megaphone and we are just blaring away our mouth. Yet am I truly listening anymore? More and more, I just scroll, scroll, looking aimlessly at the shouts and then after a few minutes shut it off.

It feels like an empty snack. You keep consuming but never feel full.  It also a form of avoiding and hiding.  Unlike social media, you cannot turn off life, but it sure feels that way sometimes when I close that app on my phone. I feel I have shut of a gusher of information and images that no longer bombard my soul .Yet then I go back again. But sometimes there are moments. Just a breath. I remind myself why I choose to be on social media. To connect, to remember, to know my loved ones are ok and to reminisce. I put down the judgemental and avoiding hat and enjoy social media for what it is not what I want it to be. Just like life.

Food For Thought, Inpsiration

Mini Break

Sanjay Sabarwal

breaktimepup690x400There is nothing like stepping out of my routines that reminds me of how much I have to look forward.  Taking occasional breaks can also show new perspective and also can give me the space to sort shit out. As many have noted, I can be task oriented and can sometimes miss the big picture. When I break that up, I often see what others already pointed out.  This is a long about way of saying that breaks are good, mixing up one’s life allows for new ideas or old ones to percolate and come to fruition.  Yet there is more to that.

I see now that whenever I step out of routine, it allows me to take pause and reground myself for what is important. This weekend proved that as much as tasks are important, it is just as important to do nothing. To soak it in, and count my blessings. The amount of gratitude I felt this weekend showed me how lucky I am to be living the life that I am. Best of all, I got to do it with my wife, and showed me that even a good time can be made better when you are with a loved one.

Family, Inpsiration

Differing Paths

Sanjay Sabarwal

af21ff902f0a8f8fc11d813ad28741c5 I often wonder what it would be like if my parents were like other Indian parents that I hear about. They never pushed me to go to a field, never told me not to read or be lost in movies and comics. Never told me what school I needed to get into. Never pushed me to be the best or make lots of money. Never taught me to love others as they are, not as they should be. Never hesitated to tell me how much they loved me. Never stopped encouraging me even when they disagreed with my life choices.

On days like Mother’s and Father’s day, I always feel this extra joy because it just means that perhaps, just perhaps, everyone else expressed the love and joy I feel for my parents daily. They did not push me on to a particular path, but rather let me stumble around for a while. I am sure it was like watching me ride a bicycle for the first time and they resisted the urge to come help me up whenever I fell down (which was often), but they trusted me enough to let me fail on my own so I could learn the lessons that I needed to for the future.

So I guess all I have to say is: Thank you.