Wellness

Balcony gardening September 2020 update

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on September 18, 2020 6

Something about green plants make me happy .That’s why I try to take pictures and short videos of these beauties.If you have seen my garden videos before, you will recognize some of these from videos before.

Balcony garden update September 2020

But there something new.I have actually tried to take shots from the outer part of the balcony ,using a selfie stick and my husband ,in that order.

The Ticomas are the yellows and oranges. Bougainvillea is a riot of colors. My Alamunda is the creeper with waxy green leaves. The white star-shaped Tagar or crepe jasmine is the prettiest. The bright red Musanda and the other greens will make you smile.

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Its raining on and off now ,with pleasant mornings and cool nights.The flowers seem to be having a merry time.My pumpkin greens are growing nicely and the pineapple top I am experimenting with is looking good too.Will know about that only later .

About the Glass jar terrarium experiment,I am happy to report ,it has survived and will soon share pictures from month two .

Now this home is a rental.I wonder what I will do when we move.I plan to carry them all with me.I seem to be becoming a plant person,day by day.Its not always flowers,but green happy leaves make me instantly happy.The worries melt away and I feel better.

When I share green plant stories,it helps me too.I dont know how exactly, but it does.Is there anything like that happening with you?

Do you like sharing stories which help?Let me know in the comments below.

Expert Advice about being a Misfit!

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on September 17, 2020 5

Today’s cornerstone content is about expert advice.My blog is full of expert advice,about health wellness,studying right and creating a creative life.

But today I will tell you about something which makes me a different kind of expert .

I am a misfit expert.

When I was growing up and kids were playing,I read story books.When I was a teenager,I read story book tucked inside my text book.But luckily I did read the text book first.

A little older I got into a troubled group trying to fit in.End result- a life crisis I never forgot.A curve ball and I decide I will stop trying to fit in.It wasn’t working and it created crazy situations.That stage lasted for three years.

When I became a medical student ,I realized the importance of faking the fitting in part.I was very good at it.Too good infact. I could almost believe I the story I told myself.

Second year microbiology exam and a horrible exam situation and I totally ditched fitting in or faking it forever.

Life became better.I made lifelong friends ,fell in love and the rest they say is a story for another day.

But if that was in my teens and tweens,I managed several goof ups as a mommy too.

I seemed to suffer barriers to social skills.

It was so irritating sometimes, that I even asked my Pediatrician husband, whether I had some undiagnosed personality disorder and whether it was becoming glaringly real .

He continued to be supportive and insisted, I was exactly the same as before .Was that a good thing he was saying?I wondered .

He said ,

Amrita you just need to stop your expectations from other people.

Yes I had that problem.Expectations about being accepted.I was afraid of not being liked ,I was also afraid of being liked.It was crazy.

It seems the only thing that looks good on me is being me.

I decided I would just stop trying to ‘fit in’.

Life was busy and the entire 2020, I seem to be blogging about things I had no plans to blog about.

So if you are a Misfit remember this from a fellow Misfit .

You are a Unicorn, embrace that.

Dont try to fit in too hard.Just try sliding in.If that works ,great.If not God has other plans.

There’s a reason you are the way you are.Its okay if no one understands. You must understand though!

If you need help ask for it.You will.also find it.

People who love you ,will accept you the way you are.People who don’t love you ,won’t and they dont matter either.

The world needs the out -of- the- box thinkers .You are one of them.Keep that close to your heart

If God wanted us to be the same, he would have made us all the same.

Stay unique ,because the world needs rainbows, not just one colour!

From an Expert misfit to another .

Lessons from failure

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on September 14, 2020 8

Do you learn from failure?

Is failure common?If failure is a teacher ,why does it incite such fear?

Is failure relative? Is it a mindset? Can you change your perspective and never fail?

I will start with a story.

I have failed,in small and big ways.Is this my story.Could be .But the lessons are some,which I have learned too.

Once upon a time a girl from a state in India completed her postgraduate from another state in India.

The choice of the Government college depended on the rank she had (which was good) and her choice(she wanted to earn a higher stipend).

After getting her degree the financial hardships were significantly better.

She decided to come back to her state and work.Being a doctor she didn’t expect a problem. There’s always a healthcare personnel crisis right?

Wrong.

Being a female surgeon who left for education in another state, stacked the stakes against her in mysterious ways.Maybe it was all in her mind.Women you know,they find conspiracy theories everywhere!

She went on to a Government job and did well.But she never forgot the experience. The questions about her family planning activities during job hunts and the extraordinary lack of empathy amongst many.

That was a failure on her part.

A failure to understand human nature,demand-supply issues and the unique challenges females face.

The lessons Failure taught her.

1)Embrace challenges: That’s going to be a super power.

2)Learn to pivot with grace.

3)If life gives you lemons ,make lemonade or use them to play tennis.It’s your choice.Ability to choose is crucial.Choice is not possible in positions of subjugation.

4)Know what brings you peace of mind,do more of that.

5)Find out what disturbs you-Stay away from it or them.

6)Find people in your life who will support you no matter what.Keep them close.Human treasures are precious.

7)Work hard towards your life goals.Temporary setbacks are just that.Temporary.

8)There are no shortcuts to success .Ignore those who say there is.

9)Saving money is the first step to get out of debt.Making more money is the next one.

10)If you don’t like the answers to your questions,search some more.Better yet ask new questions.

11)If you think slow is bad,remember the tortoise.

12)The most money you will save is, from money saved from not requiring medical care.So take care of your health and your wealth will improve.

13)Being free from debt is the most liberating feeling.

14)Take care of yourself ,then taking care of loved one’s is easier.You must refill before giving.

15.Education is the best gift you can give yourself.Teach another person and you just made the world a better place.One person at a time.

Failures are not just stepping stones to success.They are crucial lessons to give you the edge.That’s important to succeed.

(The story is probably a work of fiction .Any resemblance to characters living or dead is purely coincidental)

25 Things writing gives you- Bird by Bird

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on September 12, 2020 4

I am more of a reader than a writer. At least I was till 2014. Even now, I tend to read much more than I write. But some books after being read, insist I write about them. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott is one such. I was putting off writing a review about it, simply because whatever I write I felt would be too little.

Then I realized I am missing the forest for the trees. It’s important I share why I love this book so much. Like Big magic, Big Magic gives you the license to accept your writing. Accept it, work on it, own it, embrace it, whatever you do, write it.

25 Things Writing Gives You

Today for the create #cornerstonecontentchallenge I am creating content that gives the tools needed to change.

Even a year back, I wrote mostly nonfiction, with a few contest entries for fiction. Then Corona 2020 happened, and the Wuhan virus pandemic caused all plans to go haywire.

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What is a person to do than write stories.? The kind of Writing which is so difficult for me that I forget my current challenges in the real world?

Oh, before I go on. My book What happened at Gour ( A Krishna Mishra Mystery book 2) is free today for download.

Amazon .com link

That’s why Anne Lamott’s words about Writing is so beautiful.

25 Things Writing gives you( 22is Extraspecial)-from Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

The book is divided into sections like writing, writing frame of mind, how to find inspiration, about getting published, and more.

If you haven’t read the book, grab it now. But if you cant buy it for any reason,I will tell you why it’s such an inspiring read.

Becoming a writer is becoming conscious about your own self, your life, your existence, and your reason to be. If you write with insight caring about the truth, you shine a light that glitters even in darkness.
Writing gives you empathy and empowers your soul.
Writing gives you the courage to be unliked for your choices.
Writing gives you the ability to show vulnerability. The truth may not be popular. But it is always powerful.
Writing teaches you devotion.
Writing gives you commitment.
Writing shows your dedication to the craft.
Writing gives you a direction.
Writing is a way of finding wisdom and truth.
Writing is spiritually invigorating.
It is intellectually enlightening.
Writing is most often a challenge.
Writing is also a delight,
Writers find a focus for life.
Writers go through the agony of self-doubt.
Written words will stimulate and nourish your soul.
Being a writer gives you a sense of liberation.
When you write, you become a better reader. You appreciate it more deeply. You realize how difficult it is.
Writing gives intense pleasure.
Writing gives you a gift of a place in the writing world.
Writing takes you forward.
Your Writing will be someone’s Lighthouse.
Writing gives you a shot at getting inside your own head calmly and finding out the golden nuggets.
Writing helps you fight the sense of isolation.
It will deepen and widen your sense of life.

Sometimes in life, you do things which you never planned. I am a planner, and my entire career was the result of a lot of hard work. While I love being a doctor, my writing life gives me a different kind of joy. Writing has a lot of benefits. But the act itself is empowering because you find your voice. But for that to work, you have to write.

As Anne Lamott says,

the only way to see if Writing gives you all of this is to do what you did as a kid—shut them out and get on with finding out about life.

Are you writing?Share in the comments below how you find inspiration for writing.

About the Ikigai and Being Antifragile (Quick Book Summary)

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on September 10, 2020 5

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react that matters.”
Epictetus,

Are you Antifragile? Do you have your Ikigai all set and shiny? If you don’t know what I am talking about, skip to the end of the post where I have a quick summary of the book Ikigai.

I am taking part in a blogging challenge by Martha and Jeanine about creating cornerstone content. Today’s theme was content that motivates.

I like slow living, the slow life in a small town is something I love. Growing up in the hustle and bustle of a big city I enjoy the advantages city living brings. But now I want a chance to breathe, slow down and feel the life I have built. I am sure wherever I live,I will continue living slowly.

But I had doubts about my thought .Am I right?

Is it a good idea?

Why would slow be good?

I guess we forget about the tortoise in our race to be the hare.

Burning candles at both ends was something that took a toll on my health. Two years back my husband and I, took a decision to take back control. I was afraid, that without slowing down, I wouldn’t be around to see my little one grow up. This focus on mortality happens when you bring a little life to this world. You also want to find the best way to put down roots and also build up.

It’s an interesting thing I realized as a parent. Never before did I think slow was me. But it’s good that I found out this side of me. Because that’s why these COVID times are teaching times.

It’s a way to prepare our minds to stay calm and in the moment.Stay thankful.Take good care of our health.

My idea behind starting a website

When I joined the Medical education service of the Government of West Bengal,I knew it was a transferable job.Both being in transferable jobs as doctors with a nine month old was not going to be easy.

But we were lucky to be posted at the same Medical college for the first six years of our service.

That’s when I realized, it would be a long time before a physically settled location would be possible for me. But from childhood I wanted stability. Economic and emotional stability.How could I achieve that being rudderless? The transfers were often random and not in family-friendly places?

It was not something I knew what to do about. But to keep my mind calm and give my sense of roots a firm holding, I started my digital home. It was healthwealthbridge.com

Naming the Website

In Hinduism two of our favorite Goddesses are Maa Laxmi and Maa Saraswati. They represent wealth-wellbeing and education respectively.

Goddess Saraswati :Goddess of Education (Picture credit Anuprita Misra)

It’s often confusion about what to focus on in life. But the truth, is you need a blessing from both of them. But above all, you need to keep on working. Not because you have to, but because you want to.

Goddess Laxmi:Goddess of wealth and wellbeing (Picture credit Anuprita Misra)

My website is a lot about Health, a dash about wealth, and the essential bridge of education making it all possible.

By now you may be wondering what happened to Ikigai? This post is dedicated to motivation for doing and the Ikigai. For it to work best you must read the book. But if you want to get started right away the following part is just right for you.

About Ikigai and Motivation(Quick Book Summary)

My favorite parts from the book Ikigai (Quick Book Summary)

The word Ikigai– A reason for being.A reason to live.

A Japanese concept of ichi-go ichi-e, translated as

“This moment exists only now won’t come again.”

To remain focused on the life I have now. The work I am doing now.The people in my life now. Life needs us to appreciate it. Because it’s a gift.

Being Antifragile: I really liked this word. Adversaries making you stronger is a cool concept. Gaining from chaos and just growing stronger, is a quality we better develop to survive in this. Qualities you need to develop are resilience, and Persistence, and patience.

Having multiple sources of Income: This is a personal favorite since forever.Don’t put all eggs in one basket when it comes to ways to earn.

Stay active Don’t retire : At least not traditionally. Its crucial for mind-body health. The type of work should be adjusted according to age.This is the reason why I like FIRE and this book so much too.

Take it slow :Its a super simple way to embrace life.

Reconnect with nature: Much needed for wellbeing. I can vouch for green balconies and indoor plants being the best gift you can give yourself .

Smile:Instant mood booster.

Be thankful: It’s the only way to stay blessed. I have a whole series on Thankful Thursdays.

Remember your Ikigai:There’s no other way to do better and stay happy.

God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.
Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr:

Is there any other way to live than with Grace and Ikigai?

How do you live ?Let me know in the comments below.

3 Things I learned from Ganesha stories: Ganapati and Thankfulness:

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on August 22, 2020 17

I started reading Ganesh Chalisa since 2010. It was my mom. She gets me all these interesting tidbits of information, which make me intrigued. I also read the 108 names of Ganesha, which I have written down at the back of my pocket Gita.

3 Things I learned from Ganesha stories

#1 I am an over-thinker in the worst ways possible. I am worried about things even before others think about doing stuff. Not good in the usual scenario, but helps me be good at what I do professionally. So I can’t complain about this skill. It’s important to use the skills we have,

Ganesha Doodle Drawing inspired by Google images

#2 The best part is Lord Ganesha, helps me focus. He takes care of all my worries.I just need to be brave, show up, and survive. Fear is paralyzing, Anxiety kills creativity. So the best thing to do would be to do what I can do and leave the rest to Ganeshji.

This God is also unique in how he looks. If there’s one thing I learned from hearing the story of his elephant head was how powerful truth is. How powerful a promise can be.

Ganeshji refused to obey his father Lord Shiva because he had promised his mom. His head got cut off because of that. Parvati devastated seeing this, told her hubby Lord Shiva to make the little boy Ganesha alive again. But they needed a living head. Guess what the helpers found? An elephant head.

But did this pose a problem?Absolutely not.The very powerful Lord Shiva fixed Ganesha with the elephant head and our dear Ganapati got a second chance.

Ganapati is easily one of the most loved Hindu God.He is smart and innovative and always remembers.

#3 How we look externally doesn’t matter.He has helped me understand. What you are inside and how you think, determine your abilities.I learned to focus on my inside and my thoughts. My Friend Ganesha helps me realize this every day.

One of my favourite books is the 4 Hour Work Week.It never happens that way but no harm in dreaming right ?

Ganapati loves hacks and smart way of doing stuff .

Once when it was to be decided who would be prayed to first, God Shiva and Goddess Parvati(parents of Lord Ganesha and his siblings)organized a contest where Kartik and Ganesha had to travel the world. The one who came back first would be declared the winner . Now Kartik had a nice quick peacock and Lord Ganesha had a small mouse.
Who would win do you think? Kartik went off with his peacock while Ganesha calmly started circling round his parents seated together. Seeing this, his parents asked him what he was doing. Ganapati replied, “since my parents are my world I am going around my world “.
His parents were tickled pink and to date, his puja happens first before any other Hindu God is worshiped. Cool God right?

If you want a hack you better start thinking like Lord Ganesha.He helps you find solution, ensure prosperity and good luck .Hope you have all the Lord Ganesha s blessings showered on you.

Ganesha was very intelligent and learned .

There’s a story about how when he was invited by Ved Vyas to write Mahabharat he gave a tricky condition. Ved Vyas was not allowed to stop speaking till the entire Mahabharat slokas were recited. Now, this would be tough, as Ved Vyas well knew. He, in turn, told Lord Ganesha, that he couldn’t write down anything without understanding the meaning. This way Ved Vyas maintained his speed of narration of the slokas while keeping his word.

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Balcony gardening September 2020 update

Featured post

Expert Advice about being a Misfit!

So if you are a Misfit remember this from a fellow Misfit .

Lessons from failure

25 Things writing gives you- Bird by Bird

Featured post

25 Things Writing gives you( 22is Extraspecial)-from Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

About the Ikigai and Being Antifragile (Quick Book Summary)

My idea behind starting a website

Naming the Website

My favorite parts from the book Ikigai (Quick Book Summary)

3 Things I learned from Ganesha stories: Ganapati and Thankfulness:

3 Things I learned from Ganesha stories

Podcasts by Dr.Amrita Basu

Vishakha Talreja

Roshan Radhakrishnan

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Sharing is good Karma!

So if you are a Misfit remember this from a fellow Misfit .

Sharing is good Karma!

Sharing is good Karma!

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25 Things Writing gives you( 22is Extraspecial)-from Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Sharing is good Karma!

My idea behind starting a website

Naming the Website

My favorite parts from the book Ikigai (Quick Book Summary)

Sharing is good Karma!

3 Things I learned from Ganesha stories

Sharing is good Karma!

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