When Plans Break, Life Begins

April 24, 2025 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

LIFE LESSONS

The best things in my life happened when my plans got canceled.

A cluster of apples hanging from the tree — Photo by Bozhin Karaivanov on Unsplash

When life knocked me down so hard, I got stuck in waves of anxiety.

I believed in coping with challenges by creating excess plans: plans A, B, or Z. You name it, I always had a draft ready.

Taking charge of my situation was my safety net, my only way out. But soon realized that life had planned something else for me.

Time and again, it threw in an unexpected surprise beyond my imagination and landed me where I belonged. But only after I had my share of learning lessons, disguised as challenges.

At the end of every long haul, I found myself in paradise.

Every twist and turn in my scheme was only a reminder from the universe to take a break and slow down.

I’ve now learned to pause, take a deep breath, and inhale the aroma of my dark roast. The tingling taste of fresh lime mint and the soft touch of wool cotton makes more sense now.

I am strong enough to look forward to life’s problems now with open arms.

This article is about what I did to make the shift in my mindset.

Perspective Matters

The way I view my obstacles solves half the challenge. The other half dissolves itself when it meets my inner strength.

I have learned to navigate challenging situations by actively seeking hidden meanings and recurring patterns.

I always look at the problem and wonder, “What is in it for me?”

Surprisingly, most of them started only because of my prayers.

Let me explain.

When I ask God for an apple, he doesn’t send an apple to my doorstep.

Instead, he delivers a custom-made complex life situation that makes me stay awake at odd hours, leave my comfort zone, make tough decisions, walk alone, cross mountains, and sail by the lake in the quiet night.

I finally became who I was meant to be while resolving the issue.

Years go by, and I might forget that I once prayed for an apple. I found out later that He had sowed the seed right away when I requested it. Yet He put the apple farm in my path only when I was ready to share the fruits of wisdom with everybody else.

I might only pray for what I want at that moment, but God’s plans are bigger than my imagination.

When I prayed for courage, He made me encounter my worst fears, presenting me with the most difficult times.

When I asked for love, He gave me heartbreaks before He brought the right person into my life.

When I sought His forgiveness, He put me on the spot to forgive my awful enemies.

Whenever I start tweaking how I look at my problems, the possibilities become endless.

My life experiences have conditioned me to only believe that when things don’t go my way, it is a sign that I am on the right path and that a higher power is in action.

The Power of Being Present

The only way, I have found to tackle any huge problem is to take one step at a time and be mindfully present in the moment.

To save my sanity from overthinking, I cook. Cooking is my meditation, just like playing with my kids, running outdoors, and lifting that heavy barbell that weighs more than my body weight. They help me focus on the moment as if my life depended on it.

I always try to find the space, things that loosen me up, where I lose track of time and connect with myself.

Walking through the woods and being outdoors does that to me. They make me feel small and grounded, proving that my problems are even smaller than I am.

Over 95% of what I worry about never happens, so I no longer bother about them. I have fun experiencing the magic in the present, focusing on what I already have. That is where gratitude comes in handy.

“Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.” –James Thurber.

Gratitude is Everything

Gratitude changes the entire scene.

If life is a black-and-white chessboard, gratitude is the lens that reveals the hidden colours.

Gratitude turns the black-and-white game of life into a beautiful masterpiece.

We don’t need a grand reason to be grateful. Being alive is good enough to say “thank you” and look for all the wonders around us.

Life becomes more meaningful when we start noticing the smallest details of moments that matter. Who, what, or which place makes us feel seen, heard, or accepted? Every one of them counts!

The beauty of gratefulness lies in the endless list it generates when we take notes of all things that profoundly touch our souls.

Life is too short for our worries to last long,

Too big for our heartfelt moments to stay forever.

Every day is a new beginning.

Another chance to show up, spread joy, and be fully present.

Final Thoughts

Life is nothing but a series of tiny miracles. All we need to do is to feel alive.

When man plans, God laughs. And it is ok to laugh with him.

What is meant for us will always find us. In the meantime, we can have fun recognising the pattern and finding the purpose behind our problems.

It also helps to track our answers in what we prayed for.

Our perfect presence is more rewarding than our bestest plans.

When we start saying “thank you,” we attract more things to be thankful for.

The most beautiful chapters of my life began when my plans fell apart.

Every detour was a signpost from a greater force, guiding me to where I truly belonged.

Ultimately, it was not the plan that mattered, but my transformation.

I’m built from all my broken plans that never panned out, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

Have you ever had a plan fall apart, only to realize it was leading you to something better? I’d love to hear your story. Please feel free to share it in the comments.

If you enjoyed this article, check out MagicBytes, where I write more honest, heart-centered reflections like this, exploring the messy, magical middle of life, womanhood, parenting, and self-worth.

They Call Me Lazy. I Call It Choosing Peace.

April 18, 2025 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

LIFE LESSONS

Maybe “lazy” is just doing less of what doesn’t matter.

A woman wearing jacket walking in the woods with scattered leaves on both sides during Fall. — Photo by Krists Luhaers on Unsplash

What if everything we thought about laziness was a lie?

Is laziness really about doing nothing? Or could it be about doing less of what drains us?

They call me lazy: my close friends, my husband’s friends’ wives, and even people I’ve just met, especially after they hear about my self-care runs, workout routines, and constant juggling of work, kids, and home.

Their assumption? I must have all the time in the world to do these things. Which means I do nothing else.

Probably, it’s my husband who does it all: another poor presumption.

They even give him bonus points if he logs my miles or cheers me on while I power lift in the gym.

Truthfully, all he does is make me two cups of coffee every morning like clockwork so I can clear off my sleepy head.

But the ROI on his effort? Exponential (He’d agree.)

The secret behind those runs and workouts is what I trade for an extra hour of sleep, salon trips, or time scrolling on my phone.

What bothers them most is that I neither correct them nor I don’t explain myself.

But for once, let’s play along.

Let me show you what “lazy” really looks like.

A Day in the Life of the “Lazy” One

Last night, I went to bed at 12:30 a.m. and woke up at 5:55 a.m.

I made coffee and gave myself 15 minutes to read a book, a small pocket of stillness before the busy day began. Then I made breakfast for my daughter, using the homemade ghee I had prepared the night before.

We revised her exam answers. I walked her to the bus stop, and on my way back, I picked up some fresh vegetables.

When I got home, my son was already awake. I got him ready and made his breakfast and lunch in the next hour. I gulped down my breakfast in five minutes before logging in to work and checking emails. I planned the meals for the entire week and dove into work.

Just as I realized I needed another coffee, my daughter returned from school.

We reviewed her test, helped her with a few more things, and answered spontaneous (and energy-draining) requests from my husband, who always needs my brain more than I do.

With exactly 35 minutes left before my son got home, I chose the treadmill over TV and finished walking 3 km.

It was also a hair-wash day. I squeezed it in, dashed out with dripping hair, and took my son to class.

I ate lunch in the car, applying moisturizer between traffic signals.

And here I am sitting in the parents’ lounge of my son’s class, hair damp, body exhausted, brain frozen. Three quiet minutes, finally mine.

(It has only been two-thirds of a day. Sigh.)

A Quiet Moment and an Unexpected Realization

Back to those three rare minutes in the waiting hall, what bubbles to the surface of my mind is the word “Lazy.” Again.

I shrug it off, shaking my head, looking at my phone, trying hard to decompress.

An Instagram post from a friend’s friend catches my eye. It’s about autumn. She writes:

“How beautiful it is to fall, to scatter, to age. 🍂🍁

There’s strength in letting go because the true magic isn’t found in clinging, but in the release.

For within every ending, there’s a gentle, unspoken promise of something new, waiting just around the corner.”

Her lines made me feel at ease. I took my notepad and started to write.

It is okay to fall and scatter in others’ minds. Letting go of their impressions about me will only become my strength.

It was time to rebrand my laziness.

Redefining What It Means to “Do Nothing”

To everyone who thinks or is tempted to think, “I’m lazy,” this one’s for you.

You’re right. I am lazy, but in my ways:

I’m lazy not to correct people when they label me.
Lazy enough to walk away from stupid arguments.
I am sluggish and like a snail when explaining myself to others.
I’m too lazy to hold on to anything that drains my time or energy.
I’m lazy as crazy to perform exhaustion to prove my worth.

Lazy, On My Own Terms

A woman standing along with the tall trees in green woods, her mirror image reflecting in the water below. — Photo by Hans Ott on Unsplash

Lazy isn’t just about doing less.
It’s doing less of what doesn’t matter and becoming more of what truly serves my purpose.
Lazy is my quiet form of resistance. To keep prioritising my peace over everything else.
I am happy to let go of all things that don’t matter to me anymore.
I am glad to be lazy. And Free.

I agree I’m lazy. Because I know my strength comes from being my kind of lazy.

What a privilege it is to be lazy?!

Let Go. Breathe. Choose. Repeat.

I let go of the noise.

Inhaling peace, Exhaling Pressure.

I Choose Peace. I Choose Stillness. I Choose Myself.

I repeat it as often as possible, so it becomes my second nature.

Life never felt so lightweight, when I dropped all the unwanted baggage, I was carrying around for others.

Sometimes doing nothing is doing what matters most.

What are you holding on to that you’re finally lazy enough to release?

Redefining “lazy” might be the most intentional thing you do today.

If this shifted something in you, leave a comment or share it with someone who might need permission to redefine “lazy,” too.

Join us, your inbox deserves more truth and less noise.

Push Beyond Your Limits

March 14, 2025 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

It is super easy

A woman dressed in blue suit posing by lifting her thumbs up and pointing out her index finger — Photo by Moose Photos on Pexels

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

In my experience, the tough goes nowhere, but the journey strengthens us to get through it.

The most difficult part of this process is continuing to push our limits even on the days, we run out of our energy reserves (which is most days).

Here is a simple hack to tap your limits: A simple Q&A with yourself will work like a charm.

Let me illustrate it with an example from my workout session today.

Today is leg day. As we start the workout, I have fears of all possible post-workout aches and pains.

I remembered this quote: “A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears.” I stepped forward, determined to face any distress.

My trainer says we will do three sets in each circuit of four workouts.

The first circuit is often the hardest. It is when the body takes on a lot. Muscles tear and contract during this stage. The next ones feel better as the body has acclimatized to the pain.

The last set of the first circuit is always the worst. Unsurprisingly, my legs begin to shake, and my ears start to feel deafening. Looking at the barbell gives me all the rush but in a scary way.

My task at hand is now to lift that 155 lbs. bar. First, I have to contract my upper back. Then, I press my heels firmly to the ground. Lifting the weight, take a step back, focus on my quads and squat fifteen times. How hard can that be?

When I lift that kind of weight, all I resist thinking about is losing my balance and crashing into the mirror in front of me.

Today was no different. I did what I usually do to get through this hell of a session.

I glance at my personal trainer, the national champion, standing across from me. I then look at my husband beside me, who can effortlessly lift more than double that weight. Now, I stare at my reflection, questioning my eyes. “Who is the strongest one here?” The inner voice whispers, “It is You.”

End of the circuit.

What happened now was not some random pep talk but the truth.

After all the extreme challenges my body went through during the two childbirths, I worked my way up to belong here with the best people, showing my worth. No wonder I am the toughest one!

My feat is not to undermine the men but to not use being a woman as an excuse to build the body I deserve.

My Q&A with myself reminded me who I am, and that is all I needed to know to do more than what I deemed impossible.

Try this out for yourself today and let me know how it felt in the “comments” section.

My wish for you today is to go the extra mile to test your limits. Once you do, push it one step further. Trust me, the aftereffect is super amazing.

This story was originally published in my weekly newsletter: Magicbytes.

Here is a couple of articles I enjoyed with my morning coffee today:

A beautiful poem by Libby Shively McAvoy inviting us to join her in the dance:

View at Medium.com

An article from George Kathele about stressing us to find joy in simple things:

View at Medium.com

A special shout out to all the DEP editors for being so passionate about uplifting the writers. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Gabriella Korosi, DR Rawson – The Possibilist, B.R. Shenoy, Dr. Preeti Singh, Annelise Lords, LC Lynch, Buddhi Ruparathna, Warren Brown, and Gabriela Trofin-Tatár.

✍ — Edited and Published by Dr. Gabriella Korosi, at Dancing Elephants Press. Click here for submission guidelines.

Sending Love to All the Special People

February 20, 2025 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

INSPIRATION

Who walked into my life at the right time

Two hands holding yellow and orange flavored drink in opposite directions. — Photo by Konrad Hofmann on Unsplash

On this Valentine’s Day, my heart is brimming with love, and I choose to direct it to new places, I have never sent before.

Lots of love, and warmth to those who broke my heart and flipped my emotions, all for fun. Without you, I would never have known what it meant to be truly loved.

My forgiveness is wrapped with best wishes to those who tried hard to bring me down and make me feel small, only to not let their egos fall. I have learned the depth of my fear in my attempt to show you my valor. Thank you for making me stronger than ever.

I extend my best wishes to those who made me walk through shame for the love of their game. I’ve now learned that some battles are not worth my pain. I have nothing to prove and no one to impress. I am more than enough for myself and everyone else, and I celebrate this self-discovery and self-acceptance.

Whether it was a leap of faith or a deep dive into emotions, I’ve come to realize that love takes on a beautiful form when we pour it out on those who taught us our most valuable life lessons.

Belated Happy Valentine’s Day!

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

A couple of lovely articles that I enjoyed reading:

Here is an article from Damien House that makes you feel light like a feather, yet inspires you to take action:

View at Medium.com

And here is another one from Dr. Preeti Singh that shows the effect of love in our lives:

View at Medium.com

✍ — Edited and Published by Dr. Preeti Singh at Dancing Elephants Press. Click here for submission guidelines.

What Makes You Stand Out?

February 16, 2025February 16, 2025 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

The room filled with applause directed towards me as everyone stood up.

The standing ovation lasted for a full twenty seconds.

The charm of that space captivated me, leaving me startled.

I captured the whole scene in my heart to keep it forever. Although my vanity wanted the moment to last a little longer.

I had just finished reading “Pete, The Cat: And His Four Groovy Buttons” to my daughter’s kindergarten class. It was my first book session at the school library as a parent volunteer. Something I was not too inclined to do, but I showed up anyway to tick off the super-mom’s checklist.

I had missed slots in the past due to delays on my end, and this time, I squeezed it in to fit my work schedule.

I was so glad and proud that I finally made it with a blast. Later that afternoon, as my daughter and I drove back home, I couldn’t stop smiling. The cheers still echoed in my ears. A mild grumbling voice from the back seat shook me back to the present. My hard-to-impress daughter commented, “It was only okay, Mommy. Not great.”

Nevertheless, I continued to show up to my favourite audience at every opportunity.

The joy on the kids’ faces hooked me in, making me want to do more of what I already did best. Only this time, my audience was different.

It marked the new beginning of my public storytelling sessions. I felt motivated to find new avenues to share my experiences with people of all ages.

Today, I am reminiscing about how not letting my 5-year-old’s raw comment stop me from doing what I enjoy made all the difference.

My wish for you today is to NOT stop because someone thinks you are not good enough. Keep doing what you love to do best, and everything else will follow.

Have a great day.

My perspective transformed my life

February 16, 2025February 16, 2025 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

At the bustling airport, the piping hot tea slipped from my hand and landed on my thighs. At first, I was filled with dread. However, in a few minutes, I reflected on the situation. I began to realise that things could have been much worse. Settling into my seat comfortably, with a half-burned leg, I began to be thankful for all the alternatives that never happened.

What if I had slipped it on my kids instead of mine? How would it have been if one of my kids had been the reason behind this mishap? Would I have sulked as gently as I did now?

I was again thankful to skip a whole episode of such a guilt trip. The blessing in disguise was that everyone else did okay that night, except for the burning sensation on my right thigh. We reached home safe.

The best part about bitter situations is the unique advantages that accompany them. In these moments, I always remember to look for the silver lining, as it often waits for me to discover it.

I noticed this when I landed my first job after a year-long search. I worked there for four years, trying to fit into the mediocre work my supervisors assigned to me from day one. Although I was not happy, I was not sad either. I assumed anything good in life takes time.

As I held an emotional attachment towards the organisation, quitting my job was out of the question. Convincing myself to wait for the right time, I continued to deliver my best, yearning to be rewarded for the work that was tirelessly put in. The multiple appreciation emails received from the client and top leadership confirmed it.

One fine afternoon, my manager called me for a meeting. I was sure it was to announce my promotion. But my hopes shattered when he said to look for other openings in the organisation. He had to let me go due to the client’s budget constraints.

With the heavy blow to my career aspirations, I finally had a reason to quit and start looking for other jobs. I felt stupid for wasting my time and loyalty on a management that did not think twice about dropping me from this project.

In exactly one month, I got a new project in another company that involved building a team from scratch for a startup client working on a niche technology. My profile was a perfect fit as I had all the required domain knowledge and technical skills.

Fast forward to three weeks after my joining date, I was buckling my seatbelt in the Boeing plane. It was my time to fly to the dream destination of every software engineer: Silicon Valley.

In hindsight, the denied promotion in my first job was not the end but a new beginning. It led me to find a great opportunity. My career took off on its wings there. I discovered my strengths, leadership, and technical skills. I felt enthusiasm and love in my work for the first time.

I worked through the night some days and felt no pressure. I woke up early the next day to do what I enjoyed doing. Like yin and yang, my work and I fit together in perfect harmony. I felt elated to make a great impact on my project. It was one of the most beautiful experiences in my professional life.

Life often pushes us beyond our comfort zone. So, we dare to act, live up to our potential, and claim what we deserve.

I have learned that every difficult situation has only two sides: the good side and the best side. When things go my way, I know I got on the good side. But when they go any other way, I understand that it only happens for the best reason. Although it seems like an unfamiliar route at first, it is always the one that has taken me to where I belong.

Thanks to all the many ways of training, my brain never stops looking for the bright side.

The irony of life is that the paths to our dreams lie behind those closed doors. So, the next time you wonder why things are so different from what you expected, dare to look beyond the closed door. That is where the magic awaits.

Paint Your Days With More Colours

July 9, 2024 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

Break free of your mind.

A woman jumping off the ground looking up, hands to the side and knees bent. — Photo by Kevin Fitzgerald on Unsplash

This story was originally published in my substack newsletter: Magicbytes

Today, I woke up to witness the grand beauty!

It was neither the early morning sun rays protruding through the glass windows nor my favourite blue bird waiting to greet me at my kitchen outlet! It was a rare sight that has happened only a handful of times over the last six years.

It was an incredible, beautiful view of my kids lying sound asleep, with no intent to wake up in the next few hours.

I rushed to look at the time; it was only 5:09 am.

The deadly combination of me being awake after a good night’s sleep while the kids were still wandering in their dreamland was enough for me to celebrate the lovely Tuesday morning!

Before I could realize the lottery win on a weekday, my ingenious mind immediately made plans to push me out the door for a morning walk. A trillion ideas rushed through my brain cells to best use those two unclaimed hours.

My heart screamed out with joy: Screw waiting for the Friday night! Let’s have coffee watching a movie NOW.

I instantly grabbed the remote and clicked on Netflix. I picked the movie and pressed play. The film set in Los Angeles made me feel nostalgic. I cut the vegetables, boiled pasta, made sandwiches, and packed snacks for the kids in zen mode. To my surprise, I also found the time to apply honey-sugar scrub on my face while filling the water bottles.

I don’t remember the last time I had witnessed such peace and slowness in my mornings. With so much energy bubbling up, I willingly shed some of it to watch the snail take its next step and follow the ants marching against the wall.

It was simply the best morning ever! Since then, I have been on full battery mode, giving my best shot at every to-do task on my checklist: gym, work, school, and home. Name it, and I have already ticked each one with my signature style.

I am so thankful for today because I chose not to do anything to make a better version of myself. Instead, I took the extra time to sink into myself and be happy for who I already am.

Today, I recognised that breaking the monotony in our daily lives is nothing short of bliss. I am so determined to wake up every morning like a blank canvas and paint the days with the colours of my choice.

After all, Life is a series of thousands of such tiny, beautiful moments that make up everlasting memories!

To all those reading this, you never know when you will hit the jackpot. And when you do, seize the moment!

I recommend this insightful article about circadian rhythm by Lewiscoaches:

View at Medium.com

And, my all-time favourite, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles plays around with her words in this beautiful poem:

View at Medium.com

✍🏽 — Published and Adored by LIN at Dancing Elephants Press. Click here for submission guidelines. 🪄

Create Your Tiny Moments of Joy

March 29, 2024 / trickyqueen / Leave a comment

I’ve learned little things can make a big difference

My son and I were heading to his class on a Saturday evening. As we got closer to the horse stable en route, it was time for our silly game about how lucky we were to spot a horse that day.

Every day, at around 5 p.m., the stable guards take the horses across the road for feeding, temporarily blocking the road. If we are fortunate, our car will be the first to stop so we can get a closer look at those majestic beings. It is like arriving in the right place at around the right time.

We have been on this route for over two years and have yet to find a horse crossing the road before the stipulated time.

We started at least thirty minutes early from home on this particular day to tick the task off our checklist sooner than usual. From the moment I stepped in the car, I had an emotional concoction about various things in my life. It started with the never-ending to-do lists and my inability to feel enough as a mother.

Some days, running around in circles at the same spot with no fruition felt exhausting. No matter how hard I tried each day, the progress bar in my life kept blinking red, reminding me there were miles to climb before I slept.

I dissolved into my seat helplessly, feeling lost again in the monotonous routine.

As I decided to take a break from my downward spiral thoughts, I realized we were already closer to the horse stable. I gathered all my leftover energy and decided to keep the game going for fun. I broke the silence in the car to bet on a horse we may never spot that day.

Did I look crazy through my husband’s rational eyes? Maybe that was what his grin was about! But, I was determined to cut some slack for myself.

Also, we make wishes on what we don’t know yet, right?! So, I held on to that last piece of my broken hope.

As we approached the street, my restless head wandered side to side, careful enough not to miss any trace of my desire coming true. The longing eyes navigated through the half-opened gate of the stable, so prepared not to miss any chance!

Did I feel like a child desperately wishing for a rainbow to ride my unicorn?! You bet!

On the other hand, my husband drove unwaveringly, thoroughly convinced the entire scene was a waste of time! We were now almost at the end of the street, and there was no sign of a horse — no surprise!

It was funny; I was actually in denial. Even after the game ended, I did not stop looking around. I continued seeking through the car’s rear mirrors, turning and tossing around to avoid missing a glimpse.

As luck would have it, there was no traffic sign that day!

We continued to drive, an awkward silence filling all the empty spaces in the car. As we took a sharp left turn to merge onto the highway, I turned to my side and couldn’t believe what I saw! I rubbed my eyes to take another deep look, and yes, I was right the first time!

He was comfortably seated on his cart, casually holding on to the rope, swaying it up and down. Before I could finish scanning to see what was in front of the rope, my lips blurted out, pointing to my son: Look, there is our horse!

The sight of an elegant brown horse galloping in style was an absolute delight! We both had no clue then about its impact on the rest of my life!

The vision glued back the broken pieces of all my hopes in a heartbeat. It revived my gratitude, allowing me to look forward to the future without doubts or resentments but with confidence.

The moment reminded me of how beautiful life is in its uncertain ways. Even my smallest wish had a more significant influence on resuming my mountain of faith. I could feel someone watching over me to ensure I was not alone and my feelings were only transient.

It was flattering since I had never spotted a horse on the city highway in the last two decades. It was certainly not a strange coincidence but a well-orchestrated sign from the universe to cheer me up and keep going, no matter how hard the situation gets!

In hindsight, I know it was not me, but the horse found me.

The amazing truth about making wild wishes is that they are more likely to come true! And when they do, they are more than just a prayer answered. They are personalized messages with powerful meaning, exclusively sent for us in the most unexpected ways!

That day, I also understood that the most critical development in life happens while we dread waiting. Although we may not see or feel it, so much is happening in the background to enable us to ride smoothly to our destinations.

Since then, I have figured the right thing to do during the waiting time is to continue to experience the wonders of life, looking out for the most obvious signs:

Someone you randomly meet who uplifts your spirits and offers valuable insights.
The silent rain that shows up out of nowhere.
A blooming bud with a hidden message.
An out-of-the-blue gaze from a bird.

A random, unexpected act can profoundly change our lives as that horse did to mine.

When life feels murky, bleak, and hopeless — like we are back in the same old place where we started — when we feel overwhelmed, when everything becomes very hard, so slow, and super stagnant, like nothing is happening, that is when everything is happening!

All we need to do is turn off the logical mind and tune in to the incredible universe. Miracles unfold during the darkest times when we start to believe in the light we are about to see through our limitless minds.

Today, I hope you notice such signs waiting to transform your dreams into reality!

Have a lovely day!

Twitter, Substack

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!!

Twitter, Substack

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

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!

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