The coolness of winter has given way to the sultry heat of the quintessential, Mumbai summer. If I overlook the discomfort of being constantly parched, as well as the need to escape the unrelenting sun, there are welcome changes to be seen.

Many colourful flowers are in bloom. There are birds putting in their annual appearances, as well as butterflies, wasps and bees. I am delighted at their appearance in my garden. In the middle of a bustling metropolis, I have my private oasis of calm.

The summer has also seen an increased work schedule as the world has shrugged off the bonds COVID had forced upon them, and has instead taken to the skies in earnest. As a result, flights have increased and I‘ve gotten really busy working

However things in the post COVID world are different. There are many challenges COVID brought to me, and yet, there were also opportunities for me to learn the art of meditation, how to calm and train my mind and free it of self imposed limitations. Now, I no longer say I have no time. There is plenty of time. The need is to realise this fact, and to do away with the frantic rush to do everything alone, and all at once.

I have also distanced myself from the politics of the world and from stories of war and grief. I keep myself aware of the broad picture. I neither need nor desire any gory details. You see, my mind needs its peace that simply can’t be had among constant mental images of senseless violence. Instead I choose to focus on my meditatIon, yoga and gardening. I choose to spend time working on myself and my mental well being. I believe all of us were meant to live in a gentler, kinder world where people held firm to their beliefs and their morality. Unfortunately this idea for most is as far from reality as it can possibly be. Therefore the solution is that I work at finding the peace and joy within me so that I can inspire others with whom I interact to do the same.

I now use the internet and technology for my needs and only when I need to. I cannot allow technology to control me and my daily life. I have things to do and prioritise for the 24 hours available to me. By controlling my use of the internet, I now have enough time during the day to comfortably accomplish all of my goals. I also now have the time to appreciate my garden and the animals who call it their home. I moved into our new home almost a year ago. Bond, – dear four legged friend, had already moved into the house before me. He called dibs! So he’s stayed and graciously accepted me as family. There are mice in the garden, who’ve dug tunnels they call home. Lizards and butterflies and bees reside at Whispering Rock as well. In fact would a garden be complete without a snake in residence? My snake friend is shy though and sightings are rare. I’ve seen our squirrel jump from one tree to another in glee! It is time well spent.

This year especially made me realise that there is always the need for me to evolve and change. Of course the hope is that the change is for the better! People are meant to leave their comfort zones and step into the uncertainty of the unknown. If we change nothing, then nothing changes. We wake up, probably drink our tea or coffee, breakfast and shower. We then head to work, return home in the evening, dinner, and bed. The next day is almost identical and this repeats in an endless cycle of monotonous familiarity and routine. Our minds are meant to be boundless, they are meant to soar and reach dizzying heights of wisdom, experience and joy! And yet we are afraid to even change the brand of coffee we drink!

I’ve been thinking about things I want to do. I want to author a book, paint a masterpiece, work on my fitness, do my gardening, spend quality time with my two legged and four legged family. I am going to do them all.

So those are my thoughts for today My random musings on a hot, summer afternoon. What do you think?