Thank you God

The year 2012 has been a wonderful year – very relaxed and peaceful. I slipped into my new way of life so comfortably almost effortlessly. Did quite a lot of travelling, so many short trips. Made few trips to Mumbai and Chennai to attend functions, weddings and other events; attended Mannargudi Garudasevai in March, made a trip to Ooty with Maheshwary just to experience the ride in the mountain train; went to Rameshwaram with Ramraj and family.

Friends and family members visited me at frequent intervals; made many new friends from all avenues – residents of our Home, patients from Ayurveda Hospital (from India and abroad), from visit to the shopping centers and temples and among the rural people in the neighbourhood.

My friend Dhanam introduced me to her friend The Reddys whose house has become my home away from home. I consider myself lucky to have made friends among my fellow residents, like Kanchana, Pudhukotai Lakshmi, Shantharam and Lakshmi Rajappa, who have been such a source of joy and inspiration for me. I have Mathaji of Vidya Peetam from across the road, somebody I can always approach for sharing my thoughts on any subject. I have made friends with people like Maria Galagan from USA and Geetha Varma through my contact with the Ayurveda Hospital. I feel at home having coffee with Manikkam, a rural woman in our neighbourhood. I feel safe having a taxi driver on call like Prakash, to pick me up at any time of day or night, who also serves as my guide and resource person for various needs.

I saw only two movies in the theater in Coimbatore the whole of last year, both Hindi movies – Barfi and English Vinglish. I saw ‘Life of Pi’ in Mumbai. Liked them all very much. 

I read quite a few books during the year, but most of them were rereads. Among them were Bill Bryson’s The Lost Continent, Erma Bombeck’s Family, Harper Lee’s To kill  a mocking bird, Paulo Coelho’s Alchemist, Hemingway’s Old man and the sea. I also read a Jayakanthan’s Tamil novel of the 60’s. Each one I enjoyed fresh. Read a few self-help books, Vedanta books and lots of magazines too. 

I have downloaded a number of Sanskrit slokas (and also the lyrics) I am familiar with / learnt in my childhood / taught by my grandfather. I enjoy listening to them and chanting along. I have also downloaded a few popular carnatic devotional songs by famous artists and identified links to listen to religious discourses. I enjoy listening to them any time of the day. These activities keep me motivated and engaged.

The last month of the year has been exceptional. I went through a 14-day Ayurvedic detox programme, which I have wanted to do for over 25 years. It was a luxury I indulged in. it was fun and satisfying. I came out fit and healthy.

The last programme of the year was the grand finale - a holiday at Wayanad with Ramraj and his friends with their families. I travelled from Coimbatore to Mysore by bus and joined Ramraj and group at Mysore for the journey to Wayanad. It was an amazing holiday. Interacting with people 30 years younger than me, revealed to me who I am and what I am capable of doing. I enjoyed every bit of it. I congratulate myself for taking the risk to go out with so many total strangers.

I usually say I am lucky to have such a wonderful year. But now after having been exposed to so many Vedanta lessons by Lakshmi Rajappa and Mathaji, I feel God has been extremely kind to me. I have never asked him for any favours. I have never even imagined that I would one day be enjoying a lifestyle like this. My total acceptance of whatever He has in store for me has given me the best life I could never have thought of on my own.

Thank you God.