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!
[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.
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 acoincidence?!
Screenshot by Author
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.
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:
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!
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.
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:
Screenshot by Author
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.
“Game over!” said my mind to the body, when I had my first baby.
Would I ever be….NO! screamed my mind before I could complete the question.
I tried asking again.
“Would I ever be able to get back to the pre-pregnancy version of me?”
“NO!” the mind reassured.
The inner voice from my body whispered, “You can become better than that!”
I am glad I took the chance! More than once!
Don’t let your mind bully your body -June Tomaso Wood
Listen to your body
Our bodies communicate to us clearly and specifically if we are willing to listen to them -Shakti Gawain.
I have no shame in admitting that I listened to everyone and everything else but my body. For a long time.
I would go on crazy diets to lose weight. Losing weight is a sign of good health, right? Well, it depends on how we lose it and why we want to lose it!
In my case, I was healthy but bored. So I used to go on diets to kill some time and all my energy. Thinking about food all the time kept me busy.
In 6 weeks, I lost 15 lbs and became the talk of my office. I felt very good on the outside. But my body suffered inside. And I had no idea. Because my relationship with my body was only one-way. Only I had the power to choose!
At the height of my weight loss obsession, I heard a co-worker mention 10 lbs weight loss from being sick. And I wished that illness on me so I could lose more weight too. [Although I actually had no extra weight to lose!]
What a sick thought to have?! I was taking my body for granted!
After all, I was eating and also thinking like a cow!
The food that we eat influences not only our body but also our mind and mood.
Going hungry for long hours and walking with hurting knees became my new norm. I never considered my body had a life too.
I deprived it of all the nutrition. And it never occurred to me, to allow the body to heal and recover.
I learned in a hard way that going on a diet even for the short term would lead to long-term health issues!
It is like cutting a branch of a tree, not knowing we are the tree!
After all, I was trying to fit in a world where our body weight determines our fitness, health, and happiness.
And the not-so-surprising outcome was I managed to ruin a wholesome body. At my own cost!
My suffering from chronic knee pain at a very young age was a blessing.
The pain would wake me up in the middle of the night. I used to curse my body for putting me through such torments. My knee pain became a sort of my identity.
When I changed my lifestyle based on the book, I was able to establish a lifelong love for food and exercise.
I learned to laugh at the crash diets. And instant workouts. Finally, I was using my brains!
I practiced love and respect for my body, by connecting with it and listening to it.
In return, it did wonders to my health, happiness, and fitness. And boosted my energy levels throughout the day! I started glowing inside and out!
Stop trying to fix your body. It was never broken -Eve Ensler
Nurture your body
The best fitness advice I ever received in my entire life was from my personal trainer. He said, “Eat Well.”
I agree, it sounds more like common sense. But how uncommon is it in the social media world, we live in! The world of instant gratification!
When I started to feed my body with nutritious food and stopped judging it, I started to feel great in my own skin.
The surprising fact is how much our body craves healthy foods when we are on the right track!
Honoring the occasional cravings is also another way to show respect to the body.
The Powerhouse within us
The second best advice I received is “Rest Well”.
Between the first and the second advice lies the secret to the strong human body: Exercise!!
In my mid-20s, the Doctor advised medication and physical inactivity to combat the knee pain. I chose to strength train at the gym with the help of a personal trainer. At first, my goal was only to relieve myself from the pain. But as I trained and started lifting weights, I felt powerful.
I enjoyed conquering the pain with my strength. I felt a sense of accomplishment, I never experienced before. Workouts became an essential part of my routine.
It took more than half a year to start seeing visible results! The sore muscle pain after the workout sessions kept me hooked.
The weakest part of my body became my most valuable asset!
The human body is capable of amazing physical deeds. If we could just free ourselves from our perceived limitations and tap into our internal fire, the possibilities are endless -Dean Karnazes
Our bodies are far more capable than we can ever imagine. They have the ability to self-heal and recover.
All we need to do is to allow it to rest, as and when needed.
I finished my first race, a half-marathon at the age of 35. I had never felt stronger in my entire life!
I proved myself wrong again when I had the second baby. I started running and got back into the game of heavy lifting. I am now even stronger than I used to be!
As I write this, I am pretty confident that I will break my own records in the future.
I am sharing my experience to show that there is no age limit to become strong and healthy. I am stronger in my late 30s than I was in my 20s.
Human bodies are very resilient! They are quick to adapt to new changes and are always open to challenges.
Your body is amazing and NOT challenging it enough is a disgrace to itself and you!
Tell your body what you want. And it will give you without holding back!
Eat. Exercise. Rest. Repeat.
Own your body
Embrace and love your body. It’s the most amazing thing you’ll ever own -Unknown.
Accepting your body is the first step towards lifelong self-love!
Your body craves your attention more than anything else.
Don’t let others’ opinions and self-doubts overrule your regard for your body! How you talk to your body makes all the difference.
Show respect to your body by setting meaningful goals. Your body is listening!
Celebrate every small win with your body!
The best things in life are not measured by numbers. So is your body. Ditch the scale and focus on non-scale victories.
Get out there today and do something you have always wanted to do. Without fears and limits.
Shower your body with lots of love, respect, and admiration!
Become your own version of beautiful!
What do you love about your amazing body? Please share it in the comments.
In the third trimester of my first pregnancy, I was sitting in the Lamaze class for new moms.
The instructor told us, “Childbirth experience is like running a marathon”. I didn’t have a clue then about what a marathon felt like.
My pregnancy mind interpreted: “Both involve enduring long hours without food.”
A little shy of two years after my first kid, I was expecting my half-marathon in a few days.
I was also trying to get pregnant with my second kid but I wanted to finish my race first. So I was debating with my younger sister about this urge to run a race at such an inappropriate time.
She could not get it. She was neither a runner nor a mother at that time.
So I explained to her the Lamaze class analogy. Childbirth is like running a marathon. You need to keep going for long hours until the baby is out.
She nodded and I continued: Likewise when you have trained so hard for a race, you should show up for a race as a runner. You have to finish what you started!
Let me rephrase it for you:
Running a race is like giving birth! You can’t quit!
She was speechless.
End of the debate.
A childbirth experience is a given. But the Marathon experience is only for the driven!
That’s how I became a Runner Mom 🤩
Please share your experience with childbirth or race or both 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.
This story was inspired by Dina Alexander’s story below, where she compares writing a thesis to running a marathon. It resonated with my draft sitting idle. No better time to hit publish!
A shout-out to Sebastian Wolf’s article about why we feel powerless. And what to do about it. I enjoyed his flow of writing with little gold nuggets for the mind!
If you see something beautiful in someone, speak it. -Ruthie Lindsey
Compliments are like powerful magic words that melt our hearts, make us smile, and uplift our spirits anywhere, anytime. They empower and energize us to do more and be more!
And the enchantment will continue when we dare to accept the compliment by believing in ourselves. Else, the mere strings of words get lost in the vacuum.
Several years back, I met a stranger on the flight who told me, “She felt blessed to meet me that day. And thanked me for making her laugh like crazy.” She made me recognize something about myself. Her words fill my heart with so much gratitude to this day!
Five years back, As I was training for my upcoming race in the park, I was stretching in my regular spot. A stranger stopped by to tell me: “You have such a great body.” The desperate “me” trying so hard to get back in shape after the first baby needed to hear that.
That day and ever after, those powerful words are enough for me to substitute the low energy in some days with vigorous runs. I dedicate my first thousand miles to that stranger in the park!
At Medium, when Indubala Kachhawa called me her sunshine, it took me a week to force myself to get out of cloud nine. That was the first someone called me like that.
And today, Kristina God tweeted my story on Twitter, and I had to pinch myself to confirm the truth. What a sweet gesture!
Another reason I love being part of this platform. Generous writers with kind hearts who give all their love wrapped in words!
Always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting -Brian Tracy.
Inspired by this beautiful article about compliments by Kirstyn LaRee:
mymagicbytes.com 