The itch to write

                  S ince time immemorial Charukasera has adorned every Kerala house.  The picturesque view of a traditional Kerala house is incomplete without this easy chair in the verandah . The  Charukasera instantly renders grace and grandeur to the house.             The mere sight of this minimalistic chair knocks up the nostalgia of my childhood at my mother's house in Chalissery. I still remember my grandmother whom we fondly called "Amma" sitting on this chair reading the bible. She observed us cousins playing and fighting with each other around her Ch arukasera which sat in the corner of the long-running verandah which we referred to as "Ummaram " .                      Every house has a Charukasera which has seen it all. The departing tears and the greeting smiles. The prayers we say before leaving the house and the sur...

  This year I slowly learned.. 1. To let go of ALL the FEARS which was stopping me from being my BEST SELF. The biggest obstacle in front of me was "ME"(slow clap). Yes, I was standing in my own way.  I doubted myself. I didn't realize my true potential because I couldn't see it.  I was in a safe place. I didn't want any changes. It was cozy to be in this safe haven but deep down I knew very well that great things won't come from comfort zones.  I wasn't ready to take risks yet every night when I went to bed I felt like something was missing. I felt my days were unproductive. I felt my creative side would just rot.  2.I learned that more than hard work or motivation it is Consistency and discipline which will take you places. Of course Discipline> Consistency. 3.I learned that acknowledging and embracing the blessings that I have will lead to abundance instead of worrying and whining about what I don't have. 4.Learned to give Thanks to Christ my sav...

  Location: Fort Kochi Beach Photography: Me

                Cultivating habits like writing a dairy is not a cake walk anymore. Atleast not in this generation where we are all drowning in the ocean of technology. Infact Ayamachi once asked me “ Mole! Ee Phone il entha ullathu? Ellavarum ithu epozhum enthina pidichu kondu nadakunnathu? . Those words hit deep and I realised we are giving more importance to this nonliving man made thing than anything else. Are we carrying the Bible the same way everywhere we go?                     While we jot down our “To Do Lists” Ayammachi has it memorised. There used to be a time when landphones existed  in every house and when she memorised the telephone numbers of her near and dear ones. How many phone numbers can we tell by heart?                   She also has a “Kanaku Pusthakam” where she writes her daily expenses and calculations. She also ...

Life, the universe and everything under it is discussed over endless cups of tea not only at chaya kadas but our very own homes as well. The monotonous hours with the laptop and boundless pressure from work all eases down with the very first sip of chaya. This much needed break is what I also look forward to catch up on the latest buzz with the family. If it's accompanied with a snack then life is even better. Even though evenings are  considered to be the ' tea time' , I believe I can have it at anytime of the day. If it's raining outside or if I'm reading a good book I would like a chaya. By the way I love my coffee just as much as I love tea. . . . My absolute favourite tea is Ginger Tea. Sometimes I add in 2 pods of crushed Cardomom in it as well. What's your favorite type of tea?

Don't just live and exist . Get out of your comfort zone. Grow . Thrive. Go that extra mile. Do that impossible exercise. Sacrifice that extra hour of sleep. Cook that dish which looked impossible. Take up a Challenge. Wake up early to meditate. Finish writing the draft for your blog. Read that book which you left off halfway. The results may seem far off. But it's the small steps which you take each day for your goal that truly matters.                                  Too often, we tell ourselves that huge success requires some earth-­shattering actions . When we don’t see an immediate result we give up. (This is the century of instant gratification) . This is exactly why it's tough to build habits that actually lasts a lifetime. It is so easy to overestimate the importance of growth you  make  on...

As the sun unfolds itself , I stand awestruck by the aurora of hues she leaves behind on the outstretched  canvas of the sky. A display of vivid colours sweep across the silver clouds. She launches her last smile right before departing into the horizon. Gracefully I watch the golden clouds fading into grey. As the sun diminishes at the skyline, she takes away my burden with her as a reminder to unwind & reset, with a promise of a hopeful tommorow. Picture Courtesy :Thushara Abraham  ( My very talented Cousin) Check out her IG @thusharaabraham for more amazing photographs.