Magic Bytes Is Your New Joy Finder

January 24, 2022 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

In response to Coffee Challenge: Promotional article to my weekly newsletter

A few years back, at the peak of my personal life and career, I felt depressed!

I had everything I ever wanted in my life would be an understatement. Yet, it was not enough for me.

The endless debate in my mind: am I actually living or merely existing? left a void in my heart. I felt suffocated by the monotonicity of life.

The vacuum inside me took control over me. No bleeding or pain. Only a haunting thought that I am incomplete.

I looked joyful on the outside. But in the quietness inside, My soul whispered to my mind: Is this all there is to life?

I was determined to find the answers.

Read the full story on substack: https://coffeetimes12.substack.com/p/your-soul-can-lead-you-to-happiness

Please “like” the story on substack if you enjoyed it.

Tagging my wonderful medium friends to shower love and support: Umme Salma, Adelina Vasile, Kristina God, Gaurav Jain, Sally Prag, Nancy Blackman, T Mann, Trisha Dunbar (She/Her), Srini, Kris Bedenian, Donnette Anglin, Tom Handy, B.R. Shenoy, Liberty Forrest, Author, Vashni Stories, Bridie D, Suma Narayan, Ellie Jacobson, Trista Signe Ainsworth, Indubala Kachhawa, Alicia Domínguez, DMTakeshi, Lady Dr. Gabriella Korosi, Filiz Özer, Jimmy Misner Jr., Vanita Cyril, Lisa Gerard Braun, Courtney Simms, Tim Ebl, Aaryaman Nijhawan, Victoria Gregg, David Perlmutter, Rishabh Sharma, Jan Sebastian, Ankit Priyadarshi, Sharing Randomly, Jadine Lydia, Warren Patterson, Eko BP, Nicole Hilbig, Dr. K P Vasudeva Rao, Ali, Robin Le Roy-Kyle, Sharon Sayler, Ashley Nicole, pockett dessert, Naomi Pham, Niall Leah, Toyin Zuleiha, Lucia Landini, Marilyn Flower, Veronika Kaufmann, Spenser Warren, Anya Klis.

My lovely fellow participants Rhea Anglesey, Robert Shaneyfelt, Zaha Hyatt, Kathryn Eriksen, Karen Schwartz, Rosa de Saron C.

And the everloving editors of coffee times Winston, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Yana Bostongirl, Drashti Shroff, Marrisa W., Vincent Van Patten, Dr. Preeti Singh.

New to Medium? Become a member using my referral link to get unlimited access to amazing stories for only $5 a month.

A huge shoutout to one of the most beautiful stories, I recently enjoyed by Melissa Marietta. It is about the evergreen topic “Marriage” and how hers is not a fairy tale but even better! A must-read!

View at Medium.com

And another one by Janet Mary Cobb (she/her) about how she transformed her life with the most beautiful virtues of all: Bravery!! Extremely empowering words !!

View at Medium.com

And it is only a coincidence that both these stories are from the same pub 😉

You Are Better Than Perfect

January 19, 2022 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

Said my 7-year-old daughter to me

Did she even realize that her words were going to melt my heart for the rest of my life?!

This afternoon, my daughter spotted me writing on Medium. She peeked at my screen, thinking I did not notice.

She broke the quiet, reading aloud the lines on my draft: I am not a perfect Mom.

I am pretty sure she imagined me sinking through my own words.

She asked: “Is this what you think, Mom?”

I said, “Well yeah, that’s the truth.”

She continued, “You are perfect, Mom. Actually, you are the best!”

I appeared unshaken.

She was so determined to change my thought when she said: “You are better than perfect, Mom.”

My heart burst out of joy that moment, along with my laughter!

What Kind of Surprises Are the Best?

January 16, 2022 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

The most unexpected ones.

Photo by Alexander Schimmeck on Unsplash

It is the unexpected that changes our lives -Unknown.

I count my blessings often. Especially the ones finding their way to me when I never expected it.

Every dawn brings something for each one of us. When we care to pay attention, we can unleash the beauty in everyday things.

My day starts with a visitor or a few staring at me through my kitchen window. The beautiful bluebirds cannot stop staring at me as I brew my coffee. It is the universe affirming me that I am being watched over.

The leaves on a twig moving in the direction of the breeze remind me to not overthink and go with the flow of life.

Birds lined up on my picketed fence yearn to be noticed. But the moment I turn to look, they take off and fly away. Like some kind of a joke?! Nevertheless, they bring back my fluttering thoughts to the present!

Dressed up in vibrant colors, she shows up dazzling along the skyline. Wait, a rainbow without any rains? What better reason can it have than to illuminate my soul?!

The beauty of magic unveils itself only to the seekers. To those who are present in the moment. The ones who wait to welcome the unexpected.

Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life -Rachel Carson.

I wake up every day excited to unwrap the gifts of nature sent directly from above.

How about you?

What brings you joy on the most ordinary days? Please share it in the comments.

New to Medium? Become a member using my referral link to get unlimited access to amazing stories for only $5 a month.

Sharing a beautiful post by B.R. Shenoy about spreading kindness. A must-read to brighten up someone’s day!

View at Medium.com

Precious Ones Are Too Few

January 15, 2022 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

To me, there is only one. YOU!

The earrings were a gift from my first boyfriend. It was not official yet. I mean, he had not proposed to me at that time.

He told me that he saw these earrings as he walked out of the store. They made him miss me. And the earrings wanted to come home to me.

His eyes flirted with me more than his words waiting for me to react.

These earrings are so Special. Because it is a reminder that I am being loved.

On the other side, my husband is not a fan of expressing his love in words.

He puts a lot of thought and effort into buying me gifts every year for my birthday and surprises me occasionally with random but thoughtful gifts.

Although I love to indulge in his gifts, I miss my boyfriend’s limitless flattering words. At those times, these earrings come in handy. His feelings rush to me through his words. Mission accomplished! 🤩

When I remind my husband about the earrings, he claims he never said anything like that.

Twenty years and two kids later, this is still the best gift I ever received from him. Because only in love, words speak louder than actions!

Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure -Paulo Coelho.

What was the best gift that reminds you of your evergreen love? Please share it in the comments.

New to Medium? Become a member using my referral link to get unlimited access to amazing stories for only $5 a month.

I loved this beautiful article about mature and immature love. And what love means to her by Adelina Vasile. A must-read to feed the loving heart inside you!

View at Medium.com

Thank you Trista Signe Ainsworth for Thank You Notes.

Writing like Running Sets You Free

January 14, 2022 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

From everything else.

[This article was first published on Coffee times Substack.]

A run begins the moment you forget you are running! -Adidas

My run starts at the end of the third mile. The legs are well warmed up by that time. Joy overrides any discomfort in the legs. With every passing mile, feeling lighter drifting through the space in front of me like a feather.

I start to notice things around me. I have the urge to look at the color of the sky. The leaves on the trees appear a tad greener. The birds and squirrels in the park get my undivided attention. The music in my headphones becomes the voice of the animated people around me.

I am present in the moment. The mesmerizing reality keeps me going. As I arrive at the 7th mile, my legs pick up speed like never before. It always turns out to be my fastest mile. And in the next couple miles, my body cools down.

End of my weekend long run. Every run has a story to tell.

Running takes me to places I’ve never been.

There is something magical about running; After a certain distance, it transcends the body. Then a bit further, it transcends the mind. A bit further yet, And what you have before you, laid bare, is the soul. -Kristin Armstrong.

A writer is a world trapped in a person — Victor Hugo

My urge to write started during one of my runs. At that time, I was not prepared to share my love for running with anything else.

Today, Writing has become a part of me.

Writing takes me to places I would otherwise never be able to go — Bea Cannon.

The first hour of writing is usually the warm-up time. As my mind settles down, it starts sending commands to my fingers. After a few hours, I find myself in the zone where the words rush to me. I am yet to figure out from where. Or maybe, I will just let them be.

Writing for hours fills me with more energy at the end of every page. Sometimes, I am tempted to rewrite the entire article from a different perspective. With not a bit of drop in the zeal.

There are some days with writer’s blocks. And at times, letting out the words is the only way that makes me feel alive. I burn myself down to be reborn again. To tell the same story distinctly.

I choose to live across different worlds through my words.

Embracing all the fears, rejections, and challenges inside me, one world at a time!

A Writer’s Marathon has no finish line

As I reflect on my writing journey, I have come to realize that writing is like running a marathon every day. To keep going through the unknown. Breathing in strength and Believing in the work.

It takes as much to write as it takes to run: Discipline, Dedication, and Consistency.

Writing is like running a marathon. Not one. But, a series of Marathons! With no finish line!

A writer’s medal comes from within. It is the power to touch a million lives!

To create a lasting impact on the readers’ souls. Through words. A writer lives forever!

Marathon experience is for the driven; A Writer’s life is for the chosen!

The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start -John Bingham, Runner & Writer.

Please share your experience in the comments about how writing set you free.

New to Medium? Become a member using my referral link to get unlimited access to amazing stories for only $5 a month.

A huge shout out to Winston for inspiring me to write this article for the coffee times newsletter.

Check out one of his stories about the importance of writing a newsletter. Heeding his advice, I have started writing guest posts for Coffee Times to kickstart my newsletter journey.

https://coffeetimes12.substack.com/p/why-you-should-write-newsletter

Check out this beautiful short poem by DMTakeshi. Truly inspiring words. Very much needed positivity at the moment!!

https://coffeetimes12.substack.com/p/why-you-should-write-newsletter

Beware: This Medium Publication Makes Big Promises

January 14, 2022 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

And lives up to it.

Photo by Jorge Fernández Salas on Unsplash

If I were to start from scratch on Medium, the first thing I wish someone told me is about this pub.

The second thing I would do is become a writer for this pub.

And start making my writing dreams come true, one by one.

What is so special about this publication?

The One behind this pub has a long-term vision, not just for the pub but also for its followers. He launches new challenges to create a closely-knit writing community and transform beginner writers into better ones.

He is unstoppable with creative ideas. He makes big promises and lives up to them.

The lovely editors of this publication are invested in the success and growth of the followers like their own. They connect at a whole new level focusing on building relationships. Going above and beyond to promote the contents, in and outside Medium.
I found my tribe in this pub. 90% of my recurring readers are from this pub. This is not a coincidence.

The engagement I receive on my stories from this community is phenomenal.

My favorite thing about this pub is the “shout out” requirement for publishing the stories.

Every bit of their efforts is geared towards building a community of like-minded writers connected by passion and purpose.

Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean -Ryunosuke Satoro.

Promising challenges hosted by the pub

I participated in their “Shout out challenge” in December 2021 that set 1000 claps for the article as a requirement to qualify for the contest. The idea behind the thousand claps was to build a close-knit community to support each other.

A powerful idea manifested with intelligence!!

I used this opportunity to thank my medium friends. I called them all out in my story. And was thrilled to find, a thousand claps were only a couple of days away. It was the first time I received such tremendous engagement. Maybe because I called out 40+ people in my article?! We’ll find out.

Their recent challenge about new year’s resolution claimed even bigger. The last man standing in his own words: “Winning this competition is not going to change your life but participating in it will.”

I submitted my story at the very last minute[5 minutes to the new year] with no mentions this time. I wanted to test the water to see if I got 1000 claps.

Guess what? I got a whopping 1.5k claps within 3 days. Come on now, This cannot be a coincidence!

The second round was nothing short of mind-blowing. My story was mentioned by other people and how they reflected on it. This created magic!

I felt my soul through my work!

Top-writer is only the icing on the cake

The following week, I became a top writer in “Ideas.” The email I received from medium listed 3 stories that contributed to this success.

All these stories had one thing in common. They were all my contest articles written for this pub. Now, how could this ever be a coincidence?!

The beginning of my newsletter journey

Something interesting happened when I wrote a story about Running vs Birthing. It got rejected by a publication I originally submitted it to. Of course, that was not the best part. Actually, I felt a bit edgy thinking am probably the only one who enjoyed it.

The man behind this pub did not stop at publishing my story here. He went one step further and asked me to write an article for their newsletter magazine on Substack. His offer inspired awe in me. And relieved my creative mind from self-doubts.

I was thrilled when my guest post was featured in their newsletter. It hit 400+ views within 12 hours. The beautiful part was knowing that many people actually read the article and enjoyed it. They gave me credits and mentions in their stories.

While writing a newsletter was not even on my radar, I am doing it already. Effortlessly!

If you have not guessed the pub yet, here is a clue:

I was taken by the power that savoring a simple cup of coffee can have to connect people and create community -Howard Schultz.

Rings a bell?

Not yet?

Ok, here is a picture hint:

Please tell me, you found it!

The man behind this entirety is Winston.

And his awesome team working non-stop every day is Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Marrisa W., Sharing Randomly, Drashti Shroff, Vincent Van Patten, Dr. Preeti Singh, Yana Bostongirl.

Here is his recent article about upcoming changes to the pub:

View at Medium.com

So, What are you waiting for?

New to Medium? Become a member using my referral link to get unlimited access to amazing stories for only $5 a month.

The Mom or the Runner Got the Most Cheers on the D-Day?

January 11, 2022 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

Make a guess!

I may not claim to be one of those rare people. But I am definitely the one to whom rare things happen frequently.

It happened on the D-day of my first pregnancy. After several hours of labor, it was time to push the baby out.

What was expected to be a c-section turned out to be a miraculous natural birth because the baby girl decided to do the unexpected at the last minute. Like Mother, like daughter 😉

And I was shifted to the labor room from the surgery prep room. I became instantly famous in that hospital ward. The nurses in the hallway lifted my spirits with encouraging words. They were my angels dressed up in scrubs.

What seemed like quick progress stalled my labor at the pushing stage.

I have been pushing tirelessly for an hour and 20 minutes with no luck. So, the ob-gyn decided to use the vacuum for assistance.

Her first attempt with the vacuum didn’t go well. So before she decided to go for the second try, she ensured everything was in place. A group of nurses came into my room to prep for the newborn arrival. And they instantly recognized me from that morning.

There were at least ten of them in my room now. Standing across from me in a semi-circle form. They started cheering for me with an unexpected surprise round of applause. It was the momentum that kept me going.

One of the nurses went the extra mile and told me, “Almost there. Just give it all you have!”. That was it! I simply followed her, went for a final push, and the baby popped out. It was quite an entry. The one I will fondly remember for the rest of my life.

The following day, I left a box of handpicked cupcakes, with a note to every one of them who were present with me in the room that day! They made the most beautiful moment in life, extra special!

Fast forward two years later, at the finish line of my half-marathon race, a photographer slowed me down to take pictures. A stranger standing to my right showed me thumbs up! And someone announced my name in the mic. It was like someone forgot to add some surprise elements to the boring script!

I couldn’t spot any familiar faces within the 1-mile radius.

I never imagined the one who got cheered by an entire village in the birth room to finish an actual race with the bare minimum.

My husband and my friends arrived at the spot after almost 15 minutes. Maybe because I did the unexpected by finishing my race 20 minutes early?! Like Daughter, like Mother ?!😁

So, to conclude the question in the title:

It was the non-runner Mom who got the most cheers from the unexpected when she least expected it!!

Reminiscing on the past, I remember not the pain, but only the joy I received from unexpected kindness.

please share your experience about the unexpected surprises you received that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Check out this story to know how I became a runner mom:

View at Medium.com

New to Medium? Become a member using my referral link to get unlimited access to amazing stories for only $5 a month.

Please check out this poem by Vashni Stories. I really enjoyed it!

https://foundinmyjournal.com/your-skin-is-beautiful-abd4ceb52d07

I loved this one from Trista Signe Ainsworth about the precious treasures that bring back memories alive!

View at Medium.com

You Want to Know What I Wished?

January 10, 2022 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

My daughter asked me this and I did not expect her answer

We were walking back home from the temple when she asked me that question.

I wanted to tell her: When you tell out your wish loud, it may not come true.

But the Mommy’s heart wanted to know what was going on in the 7-year-old’s mind.

So I said: Yes, I would love to know.

Daughter: I wish, coronavirus is over this year, Mom.

Me: What?!

Daughter: Yes!

Me: Didn’t you wish anything for our family?

Daughter: No, Mommy. I think the world becoming covid free is more important than everything else.

OMG…what have I done, a part of me came out to pat my back for raising a kid who wishes not just for herself or the family! But for something bigger and better!

Me: You mean, you wished for the world?

Daughter: Yeah, You can say that too.

Me: Wait, what do you mean? What is your wish again?

Daughter: Mommy, don’t be silly. I just told you my wish. I …WANT… CORONAVIRUS… TO… BE… OVER.

Me: Why?

Daughter: What do you mean why? Only then, we can go out to malls, theatres, toy shops,…And live a normal life!

Me: What about the world?

Daughter: Yeah, everyone else can do that too.

The part of me ducks back with no further due.

🤪🤪🤪

I want to give a shout-out to Drashti Shroff for her beautiful story about how she sparked positivity with her creative mind during the most needed moment in her marriage.

View at Medium.com

New to Medium? Become a member using my referral link to get unlimited access to amazing stories for only $5 a month

Hold Your Horses before You Share Your Top Writer Status

January 9, 2022 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

Especially with your family

I have been waiting for this exact email for months now.

This very moment was probably better in my imagination than when it actually came true.

I was sitting in my parent’s home with my younger sister on vacation. I was watching her show me all the stuff she shopped that day. Of course, taking a glance at my phone every now and then.

And out of nowhere, BOOM!

The email popped in my inbox:

My instinct dictated I should refresh the page to confirm it was real.

“Wow,” I exclaimed and shared the news with my sister. Although she had no clue, she was kind enough to respond back with some excitement and a smile.

I came home and contained my excitement until today morning to share it with my husband. I kept the email ready for him to view on my laptop. Like when you want to surprise someone with something unexpected. Although the unexpected one here was me.

As he came out of the room, I showed him the mac screen. He appeared to read it. I was watching his eyes as he plainly concluded: “Oh, this looks like an automated email from Medium.” I couldn’t forgive the confidence in his tone.

I tried to explain to him, I am one of the top 50 out of 17.4k writers on the topic “Ideas” in Medium.

His unbudging reply hit me even harder: Oh I see.

That’s it. End of discussion!

You guessed it right, he is a non-mediumite. Yet his freaking response hit me like a stick of dynamite!

So, next time, be careful who you share your medium success stories with 😀

Until then, hold your horses!

Thanks to Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, and Gaurav Jain for making my not-so-great morning absolutely beautiful, with their creative gifs in response to my tweet. Another self-reminder, why I need my people on Medium!

Please share your experience about the first reaction you received on the “top writer” status from your close family.

New to Medium? Become a member using my referral link to get unlimited access to amazing stories for only $5 a month

Here is the recent “About me” story that blew my mind from Warren Patterson:

View at Medium.com

And another story from Lucia Landini about my ever favorite topic: gratitude!!

View at Medium.com

You Are Lucky to Write

January 8, 2022 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

With no interruptions

Photo by Magdalena Kula Manchee on Unsplash

Going up on a 3mile hike with a toddler and a grown man [my husband] taught me something profound. We were both taking turns carrying our 2-year-old daughter and her stroller. Heading over to the gorgeous waterfalls in Oregon. It better be good, I thought.

When I spotted the falls from feet away, I froze. The pains left my body unannounced. My body, mind, and soul were immersed in the beauty of nature: The endless pouring of waterfalls with the gushing sound filled my heart with absolute joy.

A voice interrupted my view, “What a rough hike.” I looked back to notice a fine young couple with their cute backpacks telling me how challenging it was to climb up to the falls.

My involuntary response was instant: “Well, at least you didn’t have to carry a toddler or a stroller.”

Luck was in my favor, as they thought I was joking. Only that I was not.

We don’t realize how effortless some things are until we are left with no choice but to push our limits.

If we get a chance to go alone on that hike now, we had probably do it twice. The power of hindsight, I know….I know. But in all honesty, we never did many hikes as couples. This urge to connect with nature was an aftereffect of becoming a parent, I guess.

The same applies to my writing every morning. Some days, I can write for an hour or two with no interruptions. But once my kids are up, it gets challenging. My son wants to hold my hand as he enjoys his morning cup of milk, and my daughter’s interest in spelling is fully ripe in the morning.

Although I continue to type with my left hand to finish the paragraph, spelling out the words to the second-grader, nothing beats using both hands and a free mind for writing.

This is why I have set myself an alarm first thing in the morning. To wake up to my ideas and spill out my soul before it is too late for my hands.

“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion, or it will be killed.… It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle. When the sun comes up, you’d better be running.” -Christopher McDougall.

In the above quote, Gazelle is the idea that sprouts in my mind every morning. And Lion is the time that waits for none.

I better write it all out before the time is up!!

I hope it was all relevant. My time is up now. Period.