Back to the City of Dreams
This time with some dreams of my own
Hello! I am so overwhelmed with so many people texting me after the last newsletter. Someone told me they had tears in their eyes, another person told me they’ve been reading all my old blogs one by one every morning as they sip on coffee, and I got messages wishing me luck for Mumbai.
There’s nothing more heartening than to read such words from a reader. I hope I can keep doing more and adding more value here. Let’s begin.
Learning & Questions for the week:
Shantaram - Gregory David Roberts
Some books just make one dive in deep into the visual nitty-gritty of what’s written and make one feel like you’re at the centre of the events that transpire in the book. This book makes you feel like you’ve teleported right at the heart of Bombay, before it was hit by the wave of globalization. I don’t think I’ve read any other novel with so much detail & with the most incredible use of metaphors. It is a long read, mind you—took me a couple of weeks to finish it. But it was absolutely worth the time.
The book is filled with some beautiful lines, but here are some of my favourites and some questions for you to ponder upon:
“The past reflects eternally between two mirrors—the bright mirror of words and deeds, and the dark one, full of things we didn’t do or say”
What are you doing in the present to make your past brighter when you look back from the future?
2) “A dream is a place where a wish and a fear meet”
To most of us, fulfilling our wishes is a constant pursuit and yet, taking action towards it scares us. What wish of yours, if fulfilled, would help let go of your fears?
3) “There’s an innocence, essential and unblinking, in the heart of every determination to serve.”
For some time now, I’ve been taking decisions that make no sense to other people. But the kid in me supports it irrespective, encourages me to stay determined. What does the kid in you want you to do?
I truly hope you get the chance to read Shantaram. Tell me what you think about it.
DM me on Twitter or IG!
What are you reading? Drop in suggestions!
The City of Dreams
Have you ever had this feeling where it seems like you’re looking at something you know, something you’ve experienced before and yet everything is completely new?
It feels like I’m seeing Mumbai from a new lens.
After a mad couple of months (read about it here), I’ve finally landed in Mumbai with some certainty that I’m going to be here for a while. The uncountable storeys in the buildings, and the countless stories on the roads have all fascinated me before. But this time, I’m here to write tales of my own.
I’m starting a sub-series in these newsletters from next Sunday—documenting my own story of working on starting a new company and living in Mumbai. I’m excited for this, so stay tuned!
Yoga — What I Never Knew I Needed
I’ve almost settled into my house. I’ve started going to a Yoga class alternate days and I’m looking forward to advancing further, elevating its impact on my body
My body feels stiff right now, as I’ve not been engaged in any physical training over the last couple of months (you’ll know why if you read the last blog!). Yet, I feel hopeful that I can truly develop this over the next few months. I’ll be writing more in detail about my training here.
Who knows, maybe some day I send a picture of me doing a headstand here! (Can you do one already? I’d love to see!)
Coming week, I’m going to start running. AND I’m going to start cooking again (VERY EXCITED for this because new vegan recipes coming your way)
Do you do yoga or meditate? How does it help your body & mind?
DM me on Twitter or IG! I truly wish to learn far more about both.
Snippets from my personal thought journal
Highlight of my week:
This has to be the highlight of my week for sure:
I’m not a techie. I know nothing about code, development—not even enough to make conversations! This is a screenshot of wireframes I was trying to build on framer.com. It felt so cool trying to work on a tech project—and I’ll be continuing that eve
Considering we’re starting a new business, the team is just 4 people and I’ve been privileged to be able to do everything I don’t know. A challenging job with a supportive work environment is a great combination to be a part of.
What was your highlight of the week?
I’m thankful for a lot of things that have happened over the last couple of weeks. I’ve found gratitude in an old relationship that did not work out. I’ve found gratitude for work that I’m doing and the people I’m working with. I’ve found gratitude for Mumbai, again. I’m finding gratitude in the idea of finding a home, and the possibility that it may not be a place, but in people I love.
What were you grateful for in this past week? I urge you to express it.
Thank you for reading & talk to you next Sunday with more stories from Mumbai!
In the meantime if you like this, show some love & tell your friends! ♥️