What Would You Do, Mommy?!

October 7, 2023 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

Asked my 9 year old daughter with curiosity.

Alright, let’s play a game, I announced to my family.

My daughter quickly kickstarted the game: Mommy, would you rather take off your clothes in a mall for $1000 or take $100 for doing nothing?

I froze in my car seat. My heart skipped a few beats as my mind replayed the words “take off clothes” and “$1000” a million times in those 30 seconds.

“Mom!!” she shrugged my right shoulder from the back seat.

Trying hard to keep my cool, I adjusted my voice, hiding the traces of shock on my face. Without turning back, I responded, “Ah yes, I would just take that $100”.

Wow, what a predictable response!! I guess my creative mind disappeared into thy parent hat!!

She continued with a winning smile[like she already knew what I would choose], “Mom, you know, you could have easily won $1000 by taking off your clothes inside one of those trial rooms in the mall”.

I couldn’t help but laugh. With a sigh of relief, dropping all that tension I was holding back, I said, “Ah, that’s smart. But how would you prove that to the person who bet on you?”

I saw her thinking horns becoming big as she raised her eyebrows with confused eyes.

My husband shook his head in disapproval as he understood my game plan from across the driver’s seat.

It was the moment of truth. The curious girl was waiting to absorb anything I said like a sponge.

Do you know something better than being smart? It is being right!! I declared. She listened without blinking her eyes.

In situations like this, losing the bet is the right thing to do! I concluded.

But how would I know what is right? She wanted to clarify further. If you were me, what would you do, Mommy?

That’s simple. I would ask myself, what should I do? And then there is this part of me that would…“Oh, I know…the devil and the angel side”, she interrupted.

Yes, that’s right!! Always listen to the angel side of you! She will only let you do the right thing! I finished off the beautiful conversation that made my day!!!

My favourite part of parenting is imparting wisdom to kids when they ask us the most surprising questions.

The truth we plant in them today will help them flourish and prosper, even when we are no longer around to watch them!

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What Made You Happy Today?

September 28, 2023 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

Share it and inspire someone else!

Some days, I wake up with a burst of energy with my happy hormones scattered all over my body and mind. I feel grateful for everything big and small: From my morning cup of coffee to the blue sky that never loses its charm.

Today was one such day. I woke up feeling great and thankful that my heart is still beating to the tunes of the universe. I finished my morning run and was all set to make all the big differences in others’ lives with my smallest act of kindness. Yes, I made French toast for my husband and kids 🤪

The phone ring interrupted my thought process. My sister had just called to mention how my conversation with her yesterday boosted her morale and left her energized. Of course, I replied without hesitation.

I spoke with a couple more friends, offering them an instant mood fix coupled with unlimited laughter. What better day than today to share my aura with everyone around who needed it.

I felt too good that I went out of my way to grab the phone from my husband to talk to my in laws. And I spoke non-stop for 20 minutes straight to my mother in law telling her she is the best! And I truly meant it!

It is amusing how we are able to look at people only with love and kindness when our heart overflows with joy. I was unstoppable with my energy that I could run a thousand more miles, complimenting every person I met on my way.

There is something exceptional about people, that we can notice only when we are fully content with ourselves! Thanks to the dopamine rush that kept working its wonders on me!!

What a fantastic life, we have in front of us, that is waiting be appreciated!

While I am still trying to figure what clicked on my happiness switch today, why don’t you tell me what made you feel great today?

Please share it in the comments.

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I See Myself in My Happy Place

September 27, 2023 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

In response to Dancing Elephants prompt 52 of 52

This story is written in response to the prompt “Walking down on
Memory lane”.

I love prompts like this that make me reminisce with joyful tears!!

I just followed the instructions here by Dr. Gabriella Korosi:

“Close your eyes and think about the sweetest and most beautiful Memory….What is the first memorable experience that jumps out at you?”

So here I am, closing my eyes in the ten-minute break between work, wondering what would be the first memorable experience my mind chose to throw at me.

I see her. My haven. Once my safe harbor. The place I kept going to as a teenager. Whether happy or sad, angry or confused, afraid or not, I saw myself sitting there with deep thoughts.

The moment I was there, my wavering mind almost always halted, and all I could feel was the unshakeable thought: Everything will be fine.

There was something so strange about this place that it always made me feel at the top of the world. It treated me like the most special person on this planet. Anything and everything that mattered to me counted: My thoughts, feelings, and desperate emotions that were waiting to burst. It made me believe the world is waiting for me to show up. It convinced me that I am enough!

No matter how I felt when I went there, I remember floating through cloud nine in seconds. I counted my blessings here. The joy of having a beautiful mom and my first card to her that said, “Thanks,” with a cute puppy face popping out of the red roses [But hey, I warned you I was a teenager 🙃]

I discovered the MTV music channel, the only thing that knew what I wanted: The power of English pop music!🤩

It saw my first heartbreak as I compared my feelings to the sinking Titanic, singing along with Celine Dion at the top of my lungs: My heart will go on. In my mind, nobody else was watching me [Remember, a teenager?! 😉].

I undoubtedly enjoyed my moments sitting in that place where the only thing in my control was the remote. I vividly remember the sad faces of my younger siblings, prettier than that puppy on the card. They would yearn for me to leave the place so they could watch some TV, too.

After every failed interview, it assured me, I was yet to be seen and my day would come.

No matter how I was when I went in, the place always made me feel elated. As I hopped on to it, the swinging motion of back and forth made me realize life’s ups and downs. All we ever have to do is just hang on to life itself and savour the present!

The beautiful bamboo swing that was hung in the center of our large living room was my happy place! A place, I would choose to be in a heartbeat.

PS: It went on to see my first love [not the puppy one 🤪], my first job, and many more life milestones. When my parents moved to a different city, they gave away the swing. I am sure someone somewhere is floating on cloud nine now 😆

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A huge shout out to all the beautiful authors who made my morning:

An article about kindness by Annelise Lords points out there is no love without kindness:

View at Medium.com

How to react to someone who is crying by Libby Shively McAvoy is super insightful that says people who cry are connected to their higher self:

View at Medium.com

And here is a lovely one with a beautiful prompt from Suzie Alexander:

View at Medium.com

You Deserve What You Want

September 21, 2023 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

Because you are worth it!

The best moments in life happen to us during the most ordinary days!

On this beautiful day, my husband and I were out for a long drive around the beautiful hills of Palos Verdes in the city of Los Angeles.

He stopped at the Starbucks drive-through on our way and meticulously ordered what I would want for that weather and time of the day. His predictions far outweighed any AI’s precision.

As he handed over my coffee, he played my favorite number from the playlist and continued driving. His impeccable charm took my heart to the doors of heaven to thank my aligned stars. I told him in a quiet voice that I was so lucky to have him. Thanks to coffee for always bringing out my best side!

His response to my comment rather surprised me. He said, oh, Not a big deal. You have always been good at telling me what you like and don’t. You have no idea how much that spares my energy from trying to gauge your mind. I know what makes you happy or sad in a heartbeat.

That was an interesting perspective. It reminded me of all the times I had been specific about my needs and wants.

This one time, when we were newly married, we had our first rough argument while driving back home from a beautiful-until-that-moment long ride. I tried to hide my rolling tears by moving my head away from him as he planted his eyes firmly on the steering wheel. He suddenly pulled over the car at Starbucks and made a smart move by ordering something for me without asking me, like how husbands try to impress you with their choices.

A few moments later, a warm banana walnut bread with white chocolate mocha found its way to my table with him. I remember telling him in an anguished tone: At this moment, I only want a chai tea latte, extra hot. As I sipped some tea, I told him: Next time we fight, never buy me this banana walnut thing. It is only going to worsen my feelings for you!

Bingo! I was spot on, with not just the specifics but have articulated the consequences so well, too.

I have always been very vocal about what I want and have appreciated the outcome when I got it the way I like it!

At work, I always worked so hard, going out of my way to accomplish things that were not even part of my responsibilities. I craved to be noticed for my initiatives. I always planned for the right moment to ask for a raise or growth opportunities. That is when my Boss saw how well I had done. Unfortunately, that moment never came.

Instead of beating around the bush, when I proactively communicated to my manager that I wanted a raise or promotion, I got them instantly!

When I grew impatient with my best friends about how little they were available to me when I wanted to talk to them the most and how I was outgrowing our friendship due to our lack of common interests, the tables turned overnight.

I could recollect hundreds of such instances from the past, but to keep the long story short, Ask for what you want, and you will get it from the one who truly cares! If not, at least you will know the answer: That someone is not worth your time!

Amazingly, the more I am honest with others about myself, the more I fall in love with myself and those who value my interests, likes, and dislikes.

To clarify further, it is not selfish to put yourself first. The only way to truly love and care for someone else is to respect their time by letting them do what is more meaningful to you both.

I find it more impressive now when my husband, friends, family, colleagues, or strangers tell me what they want from me without inhibitions. Since they know I understand the language of authenticity so well, they are genuine with me and share all the good, bad, and the ugly. This elevates our bond and creates long-lasting, beautiful relationships.

The next time you want something, ask for it! You deserve it!

My wish for you today: May you always have the guts to speak for yourself and ask for what you want! You are worth it!

Life is too short to be wasted during the wait! Just ask!!

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You can support my writing journey by buying me a coffee here.

Read this inspiring story from Dr. Preeti Singh that I truly enjoyed:

View at Medium.com

Here is another one from Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles who never stops to amuse me.

View at Medium.com

Light Up Your Thoughts to Spark Joy

September 18, 2023 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

Even when everything else is dark!

I was going through waves of emotion that were well overdue. As I set the timer to vent my feelings, I got a call from a long-distance friend. The words that came out of her were drenched in painful tears. At that moment, she was in desperate need of hope, a reason to keep moving on. I was caught between fighting my thoughts and a good friend in despair reaching out to me from a thousand miles away.

I felt tricked for a moment. But there was no time left to pause and wonder if this was happening for real?![How can someone else somewhere also have similar feelings as me, and that too, at the same time?!]

Anyway, I started talking to her, asking for more details about what triggered her emotions, thoughts, and everything else that put her on the spot today. Halfway through it, her husband interrupted her to know if she was okay, as she had been laughing so hard for the last several minutes.

We both felt lighter after becoming weary of mocking the life situation that has put us in this state. The call gave us much hope and clarity about what was within and beyond our control.

The timer buzzed, and it was already time for me to move on to the next task in my routine. But what also made me feel good about this entire scenario was that even in my difficult situation, I chose to pick up the call and light up the day for someone else without any second thoughts.

This was one of those times when the universe conspired to show me the depth of my capacity. As I talked to my friend, I found myself telling her things and charging her with the positivity I needed for myself.

I was convinced that my problems were custom-made for me to realize my unique strengths! The thought made me feel so strong that I was proud of my problem at hand!! 😎

What makes me feel even more powerful is that I am not alone!

Not now! Not ever!

It feels incredible to know that I am being watched over. Through the darkness, even when it is just me sulking in the corner of the room, a ray of hope always finds me through a phone call!

What doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger! -Friedrich Nietzsche.

My wish for you today: Light up your thoughts even when everything else seems dark. Positive thoughts can transform your problems into a purpose only you can handle.

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PS: This article was originally published in my newsletter: Magicbytes.

If you are crazy about waterfalls like me, check this beautiful piece of art from one of my favourite writers Sharing Randomly:

View at Medium.com

Here is another lovely work from Sahil Patel that reminded me I am not alone dealing with life, getting in the way of my writing!

View at Medium.com

Tagging all my lovely friends and writers to let them know I am back in the game: Umme Salma, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Lanu Pitan, Dr. Gabriella Korosi, Yana Bostongirl, Kris Bedenian, Nancy Blackman, Art Bram, Drashti Shroff, Dr. Preeti Singh, Tim Ebl, Liberty Forrest, Author, Julie Gaeta, Victoria Gregg, Trisha Dunbar (She/Her), Srini, Pene Hodge, Indubala Kachhawa, Karen Schwartz, Katie Michaelson, May Y. Yang, 🔴🟡Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue, Author on Amazon, Sally Prag, Trisha Dunbar (She/Her), T Mann, Trista Signe Ainsworth, Indubala Kachhawa, Adelina Vasile, Zaha Hyatt.

The Only Time to Live Your Best

August 17, 2023 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

is NOW

This story was originally published in Magicbytes, my substack newsletter.

I raced through the first half of my life without any second thoughts. The thought of taking a moment to just breathe tickled my brain. Who does that? Or at least I had no time for that.

I kept running through the maze of life cluelessly until I was forced to pause. I tagged the obstacles on my way as my life problems and worried deeply about the delay it would cost me in reaching my finish line. The only thing that mattered was how fast I could get to where I wanted to go.

Planning vigorously for the future, I caught myself repeatedly in the waves of anxiety. I never understood “slow down.”

I was busy ticking the checklist of my goals, one by one. Every Monday, I waited for Friday evenings. I was more convinced to be part of the larger group.

I dreaded that weekends went by like a flash. I wanted some more time to sink in self and take some more breaths.

When my daughter was born, everything changed forever. She took my life and fixed the parts I never knew were broken. She redefined me for good.

She has an innate love for nature. She enjoys going on nature walks. Swaying her hands, she listens to the singing birds. She collects peculiar rocks and shells on the beach. She stops to smell some flowers and gets excited to see the roly-poly bugs. With every step, she pauses to pay attention to everything around her.

She walks at her own pace, dismissing the concept of time. To my surprise, the world waits for her!

She dares to notice the subtle changes in the weather. Only to her curious eyes the rainbow shows up, even without rain.

I sit beside her with an empty mind, watching her tirelessly conversing with nature through her gaze, smile, and excitement. Unwrapping the wonders of the universe, she claims in her sweet voice, “Life is beautiful, Mommy!!”

I cannot agree more! My heart has never felt so full of joy!! I have realized the power of living in the moment!!

Life is happening in the NOW; There is no better time to live it fully.

My wish for you today: Pause for a moment, take a deep breath, and enjoy the million little things around you. Life talks to us in the most surprising ways! Wishing you a beautiful life!

You can support my writing journey by buying me a coffee here.

What Do You Choose to Do Today?

July 26, 2023 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

Fun or Funner?!

This story was originally published in Magicbytes, my substack newsletter.

The best thing about reading is that the words find their way to our unconscious mind in no time. Later at some point in our lives, when we need them, the inner voice speaks to us, the exact phrase!

My husband had booked a beautiful creek cabin in the woods for a weekend stay with our 1-year-old daughter and in-laws. After a solid 6-hour drive by car, we finally reached the place. We had an excellent meal for dinner, and once our daughter slept, we played with the deck of cards for the next hour or two.

Never in the last 4 years had we spent some time alone, just the four of us with non-judgemental minds. The only goal in the room was to have some good time. I will forever be grateful for that time, which helped me see the other side of my in-laws and how much fun they were capable of.

I went to bed, excited about the bunch of waterfalls we planned to visit the next day.

In the morning, I woke up a bit later than everyone else. My husband and in-laws couldn’t contain the excitement in their voices as they talked about the couple of deers that visited our doorstep earlier when I was asleep. I forced a fake smile, and stepped out the door with my coffee to get fresh air. I knew something was not right, and I did not feel great. My anxious mind reminded me that it was that time of the month.

I instantly fell sick, thinking of all the worst things that could happen during this weekend trip. What if I have the most severe cramps this time? Wait, I cannot get into the waterfalls now? What is the point of stepping out the door if I don’t feel well? Why should this happen to me at this time? What about my plan to click some beautiful family pics by the waterfall? The questions were endless.

As much as I hate to be a show stopper, I couldn’t as well ignore the scream of my hormones. I returned to my room, looking to wear some dark colors to match my feelings.

At that point, I realized I had two choices, not just one. I could either sulk, surrender to my hormones, lose the day at the mercy of my weak mind or continue with my original plan of dressing up, showing up, and making every moment count!

I picked the second option and pretended to ignore the discomfort, only to realize it was easier than I thought. The more fun I had clicking pics and walking into the woods, I totally forgot about the state of my body or mind. I allowed myself to be lost in the awe of nature. To this day, some of my best pics were clicked on that day!

Since that day, I have trained my mind to seize any moment by picking the most obvious choice. To prove to nobody else but me that I am stronger than my situation!

Time and again, I am amazed to find that nothing can stop a heart that is determined to find happiness through the hell of any situation. And surprisingly, the barrier is most often our anxious minds, which keep alerting us of only the worst possibilities.

My wish for you today: When life gets tough, and everything else appears dark, remember that you have more than one choice. Let not your weak body or the wavering mind stop you from being happy and making every freaking moment count!

You can support my writing journey by buying me a coffee here.

The Power of Listening to the Quiet

July 26, 2023 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

With your heart!

Photo by Katerina Pavlyuchkova on Unsplash

This story was originally published in Magicbytes, my substack newsletter.

Turn off that noisy mind. In the still silence, the world speaks to us in ways, only our hearts can interpret.

Recently, I was flying with my husband and two kids. We usually book all three seats in a row and the one adjacent to that row. My husband or I take that single seat. Only this time, the seats next to the single were vacant too.

Halfway through the 1-hour flight, the kids decided to hop on to the adjacent row where my husband was. It took me a while to realize I had hit a jackpot of 30 mins of “me” time out of nowhere. I slowly moved towards the aircraft window and settled comfortably, maintaining a blank expression. Well, the emotionless face to not give out any clue of my excitement to the kids. The joy of parenting little kids 🙃

There is always something magical about being at a high altitude: Everything appears small and insignificant from above — the roads, buildings, bridges, and the worries and fears of an anxious mind.

Watching the clouds up close across the airplane’s wings was so surreal. Beyond the breathtaking beauty of the vastness, the striking skyline caught my attention. The distinguished beam had perfectly succeeded in owning its boundaries!

The patch of dark clouds floating aimlessly appeared to come at me closer and closer until it suddenly disappeared into the unknown. Ah, the passing clouds!!

As I looked back at the horizon again, it had already dissolved into the magnificent. There were no traces of borders or darkness. The clear, radiant sky had painted itself blue in no time.

The unexplainable view of the clouds and the grand gesture of the sky inspired me to listen to the quiet!

It whispered to my heart: “There is no permanence to your life or any situation. When doubts and fears fog your thoughts, making you lose balance, know that they may as well be passing clouds. To dazzle like the majestic sky, you should gracefully endure the challenges and never give up. Break the barriers that pull you down, and in no time, you will watch your life blossom with a new meaning for a greater purpose!”

My wish for you today: Whatever your anxious mind is putting you through, turn it off and listen to the profound silence. The Universe is waiting to inspire with custom messages crafted just for you! 💗

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It Is Ok to Be Not Ok

April 10, 2023 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

To them!

This story was originally published in Magicbytes, my substack newsletter.

Sometimes, all I need is nothing but some time with myself. Just indulge in my own company, doing things I love to do the most. It could be reading books, writing down my thoughts, or even simply staring at the spider, taking every step out of its web. I refuse anyone else participation in my zone. It is ok for me to appear not ok to them!

Touch wood, I have incredibly caring and loving people around me who sometimes are not ok with my choices. I am ok with them not being ok! After all, I designed my life to reflect my values, not their validations!

There are days I don’t dare to pick those building blocks spread all over my living room or care to pick the sticky tapes from the floor. When someone knocks at my door uninvited, I am ok to be not seen by their judgemental eyes!

Some days, when it is simply harder to get through the routine, I cancel plans that don’t fit into my mood anymore. My husband calls it “fear of commitment,” but I love to name that feeling “caring for self.” I am absolutely ok with others not being able to keep up with my blues 🙃

There is no right or wrong time to express how I feel. I care more about my sanity and less about how I end up in others’ minds. The golden rule is to say No when I am not ok with it. I am ok to be not heard by them!

When someone deliberately hurts me to get their way in, I say nothing, not because they are correct, but because I know their words have no power over me. I had rather spend that energy on something fun, not funny 😉. It is ok not to live up to others’ expectations!

Sometimes, I have to take responsibility for others’ actions by letting them know how I like to be treated. Otherwise, how would some people ever know?! 🤪 Trust me, it works like a charm every single time!

When I am prepared to be not ok to others, the pressure to play along vanishes in space.

Knowing that I can be true to myself and there is no need to impress anyone else, I strive to give my best work, enjoying every bit of the process.

To be loved, heard, and seen starts with self. The world will simply follow our track.

Life is too short to be spent inside our minds, wondering if someone else will turn the tables for us. When we realize the force we expect lies within us, life becomes beautiful forever!

Like that spider, know that the choice to step out is ours, and we can recreate our life however we want, any time! The most empowering thing is to know that the option is ours!

It is ok to be not ok to anyone else but you!

Today, take a moment to realize how special you are and what a wonderful difference your presence brings to the people around you.

Be your authentic self and watch the world work its magic on you!💗

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Your Wait Time Could Transform Your Life

March 23, 2023 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

Forever!

Photo by Aleksandra Sapozhnikova on Unsplash

This story was originally published in Magicbytes, my substack newsletter.

Waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, I used to scroll through my WhatsApp chats. Every time there was a text notification from my best buddies’ group, I felt thrills. But it was so short-lived when the response was one word. My excitement went downhill at this specific response, “hmm…” which felt like mocking my long, meaningful messages.

I was still in my postpartum phase and desperately needed human contact that was not my husband or my 1 yr old daughter or my distant co-workers to share my thoughts. I placed my bets and some expectations on my friends to fill that gap for me, as they were only 3 hours apart from my time zone.

I carefully drafted every text, filling in all details without caring much about the length. I waited patiently for a response, fixating my eyes on the phone, not attempting a blink to avoid any delay from my end. I stayed glued to my seat. Sometimes, I made another cup of coffee in anticipation of a longer text from them in exchange for mine. Nothing happened the way I expected. Suppose I had a way to collect all my disappointments in a jar. I bet I would have owned the giant pot of all negative emotions!

It didn’t stop there. The frustration from the mornings carried over to the rest of my day. I felt low energy throughout the day and found no motivation to do anything, leave alone try something new.

After a few weeks, I decided to do something different while I waited for the texts. I dragged myself to the park behind my house to start my day with a nice feeling. But I was unsure of what to do. My neighbour friend’s goal flashed in my mind for a second: running 3 miles around this park. She used to make it sound like a challenge, and that day, I wanted to give it a go!

In the days that followed, I promised myself to check the texts only after I had completed my runs, which became my newfound motivation!

I was so motivated to finish the challenge at hand. I was surprised to find how beautifully running channeled all my pent-up feelings and energy. I was not a bit surprised to surpass my expectations.

That is precisely how I started running in the first place and the rest is history.

Becoming a runner transformed my life forever! 🏃‍♀️

My Jar overflows with nothing but Love, Joy, and Gratitude! ❤️

My wish for you today: Whatever you are waiting on, use this time to do something that might change your life for the better!

Life happens during the wait!

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