Stop looking for them elsewhere. All the answers live within YOU!
In the mirror, am I seeing a happy face. Looking into my mind, I question my existence. Listening to my heart connects the dots. Only the soul knows what I was born to do!
The desire to know your own soul will end all other desires -Rumi.
The story of my newsletter
One fine afternoon, I was sitting in a dimly lit room editing my guest post for a newsletter. My inner voice whispered: how nice it would be to have my own newsletter catering to my readers?! The sparkling mind lit up the room, flooding my heart with volumes of love and hope.
In that moment of happiness and excitement, I knew what I would do for the rest of my life. With intense love and pure joy!
When you find your purpose, it is like your heart has been set alight with passion. You know it absolutely, without any doubt -Rhonda Byrne.
It is a FREE weekly newsletter that will direct emails to your inbox with love, laughter, and hope. With the right dose of motivation and inspiration, the stories will promise to bring smiles, elevate hopes, clear doubts, and extend my hugs through the screen.
I write about love, relationships, work, career, parenting, fitness, and anything else that makes life more interesting!
7 reasons to subscribe to Magicbytes
My newsletter is invested in my readers. I put a lot of effort and time into it because I believe that the sole purpose of my life is to touch lives through my words.
Magicbytes will bring out the seeker in you. It is designated to discover the joy in you and love in life’s everyday moments.
I am motivated to share my personal stories hoping they may help someone going through similar issues in their current state of life. I write about what I have personally tried, tested, and experienced in my own life.
There were moments in my life where I wished someone had told me something earlier [ask shamelessly, fail miserably,..]. I would love to share those tips and tricks so you can learn from my experience.
Laughter is infectious. And so are positivity, happiness, and kindness. The more we spread them, the more beautiful our world becomes! Anything to make the world a better place!
Nobody deserves to be alone. No matter where/who/what you are, my stories will accompany you! It will assure you that you are not alone!
I want to build a beautiful community of like-minded people where we are there to support each other in our journeys.
If you are someone who loves to read true stories, then this newsletter is for you!
If you are someone who loves to read, then this newsletter has something for you!
Please subscribe to my newsletter here to help me give back to the world, a part of me through my words.
We make a living by what we get. But, we make a life by what we give -Winston S. Churchill.
Always remember, You are the magic in your life. Stop looking for it elsewhere.
It started when I announced to my husband and 8-year-old daughter my plan to stop repeating the same thing to them 10 times in a row. My inability to grab their attention through their TV was not my fault.
I added I will start writing down things on the refrigerator board like the routine stuff about food, where to find what, etc…Although they heard what I said, their faces looked so blank. Especially the grown-up was very careful to not let out any expression of joy, avoiding my eye contact.
My daughter appeared to be still processing what I said and started with, “Wait, so you will not talk to us?”
Me: Well, not about the routine stuff anymore.
My husband interrupts: Didn’t you hear what she just said? She said she would write down everything on the fridge board and stop talking to us.
My daughter pauses a bit long and continues, “Mommy, but there is not enough space on the board there?”
Me: “That space is enough to tell things like, Food is ready, Playtime, stop watching the tv, nap time, …” and added, “Of course, I will talk for other stuff.”
Now, my husband looks at me in shock. In his mind, I walked over my own promise. Oh yeah, I can read minds too 🤪
My daughter continues, “Wait …wait…what about your office? Will you talk to people there?”
Me: Of course. Remember, this plan is reserved only for you and your Dad for turning deaf ears to me.
Daughter: What about my brother?
Me: I will talk to him.
With a sudden rise in her excitement, she adjusts her seating into the most comfortable spot on the couch. Resting her palms to the sides of her face, she now continues, “So, who else will you talk to?”
Me: To the rest of the world.
[I totally missed the warning sign when she changed position.]
Daughter: Wait, What do you mean?
Me: The entire world except you two loves to listen to me talk.
I shrugged off the smirk that escaped my husband’s poker face.
Daughter: Did the world tell you they were interested?
Me: I just know.
Daughter: What makes you think like that, Mommy?
Me: I don’t know. I…
Daughter: You think like that because you write stories on medium and people read them?
At this point, my husband couldn’t resist laughing anymore.
Me: It doesn’t matter.
Daughter: Actually, Is the whole world even present on Medium?
Me: Ok. I think I made my point clear. For any further questions, ask your Dad.
Daughter: Mommy, you know I can frustrate you so much and make you shout at me. But, if you did, you know that counts as talking too, right?!
That was about 12 minutes of talking about not-wanting-to-talk.
I gave up on my new idea and walked away while she stayed cosy on the couch to enjoy my ego slump on the floor.
Anyway, I wanted to write this story here to let her know the world knows.
My toddler son is crazy about animals. Animals that are extinct, living in the farm or zoo, savannah or sea. You name it, he has at least one toy already.
The part that amazes me is that his favourite animal is not a cute sheep or a magnificent elephant. He loves his Hippopotamus to the tee.
He carries a small hippo toy in his hand all the time. Other than spending its time inside his palm, it can be found resting under my pillow or in places you could least imagine in the most unexpected times. It has actually made me believe hippo ghosts exist too.
The scary toy with its wide-open mouth showing its wild teeth is an image you want to avoid. Once you take a look, you can never undo it!
Recently, I watched him play with the toy, poking its teeth with his fingers and holding it close to him. When he left the toy behind to go out, I immediately grabbed it and laughed aloud about what am I missing?! The hippo now comes in handy during my stressful times. It makes me smile through the tough times and worst.
In all seriousness, I am also learning that Parenting is all about ditching what we think is cute and allowing the kids to go wild with whatever they want!
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder! -Plato.
What is a parenting moment, that made you feel goofy but had a hidden life lesson? Please share it in the comments.
Brian Tracy in his book “Eat that frog” talks about how to finish the most difficult and daunting task, first thing in the morning to avoid procrastinating.
He says, “Eat that big ugly frog first.” And after only 3 years of reading that book, I’ve finally put that into practice and am amazed at the results.
As I sip my first cup of coffee every morning, I pick the ugliest of all frogs on my plate and start marinating it. As much as I am disgusted to imagine touching it, I feel the same way about doing some of the tasks at work.
I used to wait until dusk to push some of the tasks to the next morning only to find myself in a spot several days later, where I can’t prolong any further. The last-minute pressure of getting any work done is not only stressful but also strips the fun out of the process involved in executing it.
I have thought about many creative ways in the past to trick myself to at least get started with such work, but my mind would often arrive at an unplanned destination in a matter of minutes.
So, nowadays I start my day with the most challenging task, I would never pick otherwise. The unperturbed mind space combined with the brisk energy in the morning drives my focus to the task at hand. To my surprise, I finish the job also in very less time.
Starting a brand new day with a sense of accomplishing a tedious work continues to create the ripple effect throughout the day! It leaves me beaming high with confidence and ample energy!
What is the ugliest frog, you have eaten so far and how did you feel as an after effect? Please share it in the comments.
A life well-lived is the most exquisite work of art -Erwin Mcmanus.
Health and Wellness are the pre-requisites to ensure an optimal state of being and enjoy a fulfilled life.
When we love ourselves enough, the self-healing body takes care of itself. The mind that is calm by nature comes into effect, and the soul dances in high spirit!
All it takes is to accept, love, and respect ourselves. And treat ourselves the way we would treat someone else.
Happiness is the highest form of health- Dalai Lama.
Happiness is a personal choice. It means different things to different people.
To me, happiness is:
Living a life that is rich in love and gratitude.
Courage to do things differently.
Gathering hope and confidence to smile through the pain.
To make a difference.
To become my best version.
The glowing smile on my face is only the reflection of my beautiful mind and a shining soul.
The greatest wealth is health -Virgil.
In my early school years, I used to be one of the best basketball players. I absolutely loved playing and took the game seriously. I never stopped playing once because I got hurt and was bleeding from the wound, or it started raining.
When I started high school, I stopped playing to focus on my studies. I hardly played after that.
I gained a few pounds of body weight when I started working my first job. The erratic work schedule, limitless food options, and less physical activity were not helping.
When self-realisation stuck, I steadily chased the number on the weighing scale. I believed health was all about maintaining particular body weight. I wish someone had helped me preserve my sanity then!
Name a crazy diet, and I have most probably tried it already. GM, Low Carb High Protein, Low Fat, Paleo, Vegan, No-dinner, Skip-breakfast, Salad-for-lunch, Juice diet and what not?! Sadly, I had nothing to lose except good health.
While I looked great on the outside, my organs suffered deep within. It was reflected in the form of intense pain and severe cramps. At one point, my knee pain became my constant baggage.
The red flag flew right at my face in the doctor’s office when I was diagnosed with mild arthritis. He blamed it on the fad diets. And advised me to start medication and limit any physical activity to manage the pain. Instead, I enrolled in the gym and signed up with a personal trainer.
I never believed in love at first sight until I started strength training!
The dumbbells and barbells brought my strength back to life! Girl Power!
At the finish line of the half-marathon race, I felt elated after a really long time in my life! It brought back the player in me!
What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters when compared to what lives within us! -Henry David Thoreau.
To this day, I continue to run and power lift to feel my vigour.
I am glad I gave my body a second chance to show its worth!
If you want to change something about yourself, start with your body!
Bet on yourself, and you will be amazed by the results!
Courage is a love affair with the unknown -Osho
The best chapters of my life have one thing in common: They happened when I dared to make bold decisions going against all the odds. Like marrying my husband, quitting my first job, rejecting a high-paying job offer from a different city, or buying our first new home overseas. The list goes on…
At the peak of the world pandemic, we decided to move to our home country from the dream city in a foreign land to stay close to family. We felt it was the right thing to do. The decision was made and executed in only 2 weeks. We started from scratch again. It was one of the best decisions ever!
Following our hearts is smoother than following the crowd if only we find the courage to believe in ourselves. Instilling the confidence within that we will persist, even when we have nothing left but ourselves.
Life becomes easy and stress-free when we fight for what we want. The joy of living allows us to enjoy our ride in our own style! With no regrets!
I have learned that in life, it is always worth taking that leap, making new mistakes, taking chances, trusting ourselves, and simply following our guts!
Listen to your heart! It always has something to say! It knows the way to your dreams, even from a thousand miles away!
You have nothing to prove to anybody -Maya Angelou.
I feel happy and motivated when I focus my energy on listening to my inner voice. In other words, explaining myself to others drains my energy like nothing else.
Not until recently did I find me in a loop answering questions about my self-care by people around me?! In their view, it is adding stress to an already busy working mom’s life.
How do I make them understand why I do what I do? I used to genuinely wonder! Until I noticed my explanation slowly drifted toward convincing them about my life choices. It became clear that I could never change other people’s opinions about me.
Nowadays, when someone questions “my” time, I redirect them to my article about self-care. The power of writing once to be read by many.
Don’t lose yourself in your roles
The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much and forgetting that you are special too -Ernest Hemingway.
I am a loving daughter, terrific sister, amazing wife, super mom, sweet in-law, and best friend you can never find. I am all of that and much more.
I don’t beat myself up because I forgot to do something for my kids one out of 100 times. Or I put my needs before someone else’s. I don’t judge my wants and let people see my worth by playing my way and not theirs.
When I think I failed as a parent, I remind myself that I am still acing at all the other roles! This thought eliminates my all-or-nothing approach and avoids the series of a catastrophe of emotions.
I am well aware that there will be beautiful times, thankless moments, ongoing challenges, and improvement needs in every role.
On my tough days and best, I remember that the privilege lies in having the chance to be the role.
This is enough to fill my cup with nothing but love and gratitude!
I don’t take anyone for granted, including me!
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
A life lived at less than its full potential is a life half wasted -Tony Clark.
I do something different very often. Doing something nice for a stranger gives me thrills. Adding new meaning to my life by making someone laugh at my cost during their difficult times. I find new ways to crack my husband, siblings, or parents. I like to play make-believe and random surprises with my kids. Simple everyday moments like these make my life colourful.
I have once been a victim of an idle mind, and the experience did not fair well. I felt depressed in my extreme boredom doing nothing. Ever since I found the root cause of my problem, I have engaged my brain by learning new skills, reading books, and writing. Knowledge keeps me alive and grounded.
Like our body, we also have only one brain. Use it to avoid losing it over trivial life matters.
Too often, we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which, have the potential to turn a life around -Leo Buscaglia.
Become your best version
There is no one like you in this world, and that alone is your superpower -N.R.Hart.
Every one of us is brought into this universe with a purpose. Finding the reason behind our existence is the key contributor to our success, happiness and peace of mind. Because we were born to do exactly that!
It took me two kids and 7 years to find my joy in running, strength in powerlifting weights at the gym, and my solace in writing.
My curiosity has been awakened. The more I discover about myself, the happier I become.
Surrounding myself with like-minded people and positive vibes has been instrumental in creating a seamless connection to my passion.
My mission in life is not merely to survive; but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style. -Maya Angelou.
Takeaways
Take care of your amazing body. You got only one!
Dare to live your dreams by listening to your heart. Live beautifully with no regrets!
Redirect your energy to focus on your inner voice.
Do not compromise and lose yourself in the roles you play. Tend to your needs and wants too.
Your brain screams “Use me or lose me”.
Become your best version by finding your purpose in life.
Let the joy in you light up the world! Make a difference now! Start your journey with happiness today!
I love prompts like this that make me smile as I write. In other words, my love for self awaits an opportunity always to spill all over the screen! 🤪
I chose home birth to get out and see the world. The nurse who came home to deliver me refused to get paid. Ever since my Dad jokingly calls me “the free kid.” 😆
I got lost in second grade walking over to the next neighbourhood town, losing my way back home. I interrogated the police officer, who found me, to confirm my father’s name and address before I hopped on his bike. He told my parents: You don’t ever have to worry about this one! And they never did 😉
I recall shaving my head at least 5 times up until middle school. I never gave importance to how I looked. Instead, I focused on how I felt. I take happiness very seriously!!The most beautiful people I’ve ever met in my life are the bravest, strongest, and wittiest ( of course, I am on the list too).🥰
I grew up playing a lot of sports. I attribute the best traits in me to my love of games. I learned so much about life only through play. I never exerted as much energy on my studies, although I aced them equally 🥳
I participated in all recreational events at my school like Speech, drawing, writing, dance, singing, and sports. I never once played to win! To me, it was always about showing up and giving my best! I ended up owning a bunch of winner certificates too! 😬
I love all shades of orange! The world would be less colourful without pumpkins. Don’t you think?! 😎
I am a chocoholic. The power of chocolate is so under-estimated. Every chapter of my life has only two episodes: “before” and “after” Chocolate 💗
I derive my hope and faith from the abundance in nature. Nothing makes me feel instantly at peace than the gushing waterfalls, the rushing waves, the silent streams, and the soothing rivers. Yes, I am a water body too 🤪
The best life decision I ever made was marrying my husband by going against all the odds. After 2 awesome kids, I am still able to live the life of my dreams pursuing my passions only because he got my back! 😇
It is not the powerful lectures, sparking conversations, or the voluminous self-help books that spring me into action immediately.
The casual unyielding comments and witty one-liners light up my inner fire in no time.
Once found, I keep feeding on that energy forever!
If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down -Buddha.
Reclaiming the power from within
As I gasp for breath, I continue to run towards the focal point set before me, swinging my arms back and forth in an upright position. I am totally present at the moment. It creates a beautiful mind space with zero noise from the outside world.
In the eternal silence that follows, my heart beats fine-tunes itself to sync with the rhythm of my legs.
Around the end of the 3rd mile, I always want to take a break. I can hear the stone benches in the park call my name, but I tell myself to not settle for it.
Not giving in to those benches motivates me to keep going mile after mile, passing by them.
I never once sat to take a break in my thousand miles of runs!
Be mindful of your self-talk. It’s a conversation with the universe -David James.
In her own words: “I would shout out to a few of my fellow writers who are already an established brand, and they always leave their signature marks in their writing.”
She continues to surprise me by listing me among the brilliant bunch of writers, people I look up to in my writing journey.
Wait, did she say, I have established my brand in writing?! [ahem…that was my vanity wondering aloud! 😉]
Her words will be the source of my extra boost forever!!
Thank you, dearest Umme Salma. Your comments always inspire me to write more!
Exactly a week later, Rhea Anglesey’s story touched me deeply. It was a heartfelt read, and I felt honoured to be part of it in a small way.
She added: “I would also like to dedicate this piece to some other inspirational writers who live their lives with empathy and kindness that radiate in their writing and their interactions on this platform.”
She listed me among the most kind-hearted souls of Medium.
Rhea Anglesey, your recognition means a lot to me because I solely write with that purpose.
Surround yourself with like-minded people. Success is a group activity -Angel Alzona.
It is legs day at the gym. The first workout is to do an inclined leg press of 220 lbs. Mustering in all my strength, laying in the incline position, I push the chunks of weight against gravity with my legs, grasping the sidebar with my hands for support. I finish the first two sets of 15 reps with dripping sweat and shaky legs.
In the last set, I already had run out of my energy reserve by the 10th rep. I had nothing more left to finish the remaining 5 reps.
I could neither quit halfway nor continue further.
With increasing heartbeats and a perspiring just-turned red face, my body seeks out some desperate magic when my trainer called out, “Come on, Champion!”
That’s it! With the newfound power, I performed the last 5 reps scraping out the last bits of stamina, and stopped not until he said, “Alright, that is enough!”
You must do the things you think you cannot do -Eleanor Roosevelt.
This life is mine alone. So I have stopped asking people for directions to places, they have never been -Glennon Doyle.
What motivates you to get back to action in no time? Please share it in the comments.
You know the inevitable is staring right into your eyes when you google to find what period constitutes teenage.
The mellowed mind is surprised to find that it is only 13 to 19 years.
Wait, what about the young couple in their mid-20s?! I thought they were teenagers too.
So, not even the new parents in their late 20s? For they are the ones that make me feel distant in terms of the number game.
I am reminded the earth has spun enough to leave me at this spot. The planets moving around did play a part in adding those wrinkles to my eyes?! However, I can now see so clearly all about life, love, and everything else in between.
Anyway, for the tenth year in a row, I bragged to my husband about how I looked just the same. He denied it without hesitation. I never understood him. But today, I stand corrected. Thank you, Google!
I should have known better from the look of my siblings when I traded sleeping over watching movies late at night.
I am finally falling for the schedules and routines. A 6–7 hour sleep is a non-negotiable for me to keep my sanity!
I remember way too many things. I have accumulated so many impressions. People and their memories are intertwined into my daily existence.
Sometimes, I laugh and talk to myself. It is nothing short of amazing to know that everyone, we meet in our life comes with a reason.
I am able to process many parallel thoughts as I stare at an unknown wall.
I feel empowered to choose my way!
Saying no to things that don’t matter anymore; Embracing the challenges; Re-learning life day-by-day.
Adding new joyful experiences, come what may!
When I am scared, I know the fear is only temporary. After all, I have realised that every feeling lasts only for a while!
Through the thick and thin, I dare to win!
The places on the planet may remember my footprints, long after I am gone!
But the real charm of living lies in the number of people’s lives I touch before I dearly depart!
I am not old enough to cover any pain. Not young enough to dance in the rain. I am somewhere in between.
No matter how far I go, I choose to age gratefully with time!!
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This morning, I started writing about marriage. A bit later, I deviated and picked a different topic on parenting from my drafts.
Last week, I had soaked enough in self-reflection. So, I was determined it will not be another article about an experience that involves only me and the lessons learned.
How about the fear of ageing? Oh, wait. That would be me again.
My left brain stops to warn me: You have not much time left to keep switching contexts.
It is Sunday, and I got time only until my son wakes up and my daughter goes into her painting class. That will be precisely 18 minutes of uninterrupted time, I calculate.
Of course, not counting the interference from the TV or my husband. Not including the occasional chores about trying his new coffee or cutting an apple without a peeler.
How about a story on “embracing the difficult changes in life?” the reluctant mind keeps popping up new ideas. Or maybe, subconsciously presenting my current situation.
Alright, just 8 more minutes left, my watch reminded me.
Would the readers like it? My right brain prompted.
What better way to find than ask them?! I wondered.
My dear lovely readers, this post is about finding what you love to read from me. Even better, linking a story from me, you enjoyed the best.
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