The World As I See It

Snippets and Lessons from this journey..

[archanaraj90]

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more"- Melody Beattie Celebrating thanksgiving with @eliz_donna !! If you're in Hyderabad for a thanksgiving, this is the place to be!! (at Hyderabad, India)

[archanaraj90]

Feeling Grateful

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.” - Melody Beattie 

So much, so much, so much to be grateful for. Thanksgiving to me, is a time to reminisce about all the things I’m thankful for. Not to forget, it’s also a time to eat without considering the aftermath on my waistline. 

This is my second thanksgiving in India. HOW DID THAT EVEN HAPPEN?!?! Last year, I was in India on a four-month life journey to learn, explore, be uncomfortable, and take a break from my hectic corporate job. If you told me then, that I would extend my stay for another year, I would have laughed in your face or ran away. To think about everything that has happened in the last year is overwhelming to say the least.

Today however, I’d like to think of a few things I’m thankful for during this season.

I’m thankful I get to live in India - Despite being Indian, I’ve never lived in the country for more than 2 months, until now. It’s so different!!! The culture is so intricate and full of life. Living in Hyderabad, I see both the traditional as well as the western culture co-exist in a type of beautiful dance form. Plus there’s  nothing quite like living in your own country. 

I’m thankful for my grey hair - Maybe this sounds weird. Let me explain. My grey hair represents  my life experiences in this past year (because God knows I did not have grey hair before 2015). I’ve fallen, crashed, lost, gained, won. I’ve had to face my own demons, reacquaint myself to my strengths, be more disciplined, and last but definitely not the least, figure out my career. In everything, I’ve learned that, the key to being content is to be grateful and find joy even in the little things. For instance, one of the things that gives me the most joy on any day, is being able to sit in my balcony on a cool night with a cup of chai. mmmmmm even thinking about it brings me joy. 

I’m thankful for my job -  I love my job! I’m constantly learning something new, having to expand my skills and engage my creative side.  Also, my colleagues are a bunch of solid people. Working with them makes my job divine.

I’m thankful for my friends and family - I literally have the best friends and family. They are scattered around the world and yet they make me stronger and braver everyday. (Special shout out to my sister and parents) 

I’m thankful for my faith - My faith in God has brought me through a lot, from staring in the face of disappointments to every joyous moment. It’s the common thread that runs through every aspect of my life and brings it all together gently and beautifully. 

Now before I get all serious and emotional... TIME TO GET SOME FOOD!! ( I may have forgotten to mention --> I’m so thankful for all the food!!! ) 

[archanaraj90]

The Art of Living in the Unknown

There are always going to be uncertain variables in life. The Human Race, as intelligent and bright as it is, has not figured a theory, a calculation, or an equation that can, with 100% accuracy, determine the outcome of a decision you make. Many times we are afraid of moving forward due to the fear of failure, heartbreak, disappointment and the ultimate fear of never realizing your hopes, dreams, and deepest desires.

Not knowing all the variables of a certain situation in life has always been a tough concept for me to grasp. I’m a problem solver. I’m that person who, if possible, has a Plan C. I like to know ALL my options if one thing fails. This system worked perfectly fine until a couple of months ago. In October, I quit my job and moved to India for four months. I was pretty decent at my job and it would have definitely set my career up for success. However, I had come to the realization that I wasn’t really doing something that was engaging all my strengths and embracing all my passions. Coming to India was my way of venturing into the unknown. This decision, however, came with the cost of not being able to make a Plan C. There were way too many variables I couldn’t account for. Can I tell you a little secret? So far, this trip has been one of the most exciting adventures of my life.

Over the past couple of months, I have realized that having a Plan C or a Plan B for that matter is not always necessary (please note I said “always”). The most important thing about moving forward is to be able to wake up in the morning understanding that failure is not the reason to stop pursuing something. If you fail, try again. If you’re heartbroken, learn to love again. Take an intelligent risk once in a while. There’s a saying, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” It is here that we can see the concept of evolving unfold in our everyday lives. Responding to the unknown by activating your courage… this is the art of living in the unknown. 

[archanaraj90]

Learning to apply Human Centered Design at the Indian School of Business has to be one of the most unique experiences in my life! So grateful! #isb #dlabs #humancentereddesign #hcd

[archanaraj90]

Resistance

“You know, Hitler wanted to be an artist. At eighteen he took his inheritance, seven hundred kronen, and moved to Vienna to live and study... Ever see one of his paintings? Neither have I. Resistance beat him. Call it overstatement but I'll say it anyway: it was easier for Hitler to start World War II than it was for him to face a blank square of canvas.” - Steven Pressfield, The War of Art 

The quote above may be a bit dramatic for some of our liking. But if you think about it, how many times have we walked away from doing something that meant a great deal to us because of the fear of failure and judgement. I myself have done it hundreds of times. I can recall encounters with resistance all the way back to when I was a young teenager (perhaps just a little 13 year old girl), when I wanted so bad but refused to try out for the school choir because I thought there would be someone better. I wish someone would have told that little girl the truth. Here it is now, more than a decade later, there's ALWAYS someone who could be better, so why not take a shot at it. Starting this blog is basically my response to resistance ( and to the fact that X amount of characters and a picture didn't do justice to all the thoughts and things that I learn with each experience). 

Resistance butts its head in when you're about to do something with your God given gifts, talents and desires. Resistance is not just limited to art, you'll even see it in a corporate or professional setting. If there's something out there you want to try or do, "JUST DO IT". If you're not great at it, do it anyway. The only way you become great at something is by doing it. Like the saying, "practice makes perfect". The way you can overcome resistance is by overcoming the fear of making mistakes and failing. But sometimes the best things in life come to you when you get past the resistance and learn from your mistakes.

You will never face resistance when you're doing something that distracts you from your goals. For instance, you will feel no resistance whatsoever to binge watch your favorite TV show. So the next time you feel resistance towards something like writing a song, painting on a canvas, writing a blog, helping out at an orphanage or an old age home, being the best professional at your company, or being an entrepreneur. Just get past the resistance and take a shot. I can bet you it'll be worth it. At least you'll never wonder what could have been.