Art of Embracing Life's Vibrancy: Valuable Lessons in Living Vividly

Reflecting on 2023, I can confidently say it has been a transformative journey in my life. Like the beginning of any new year, it commenced with the usual mix of vacations, birthdays, and anniversaries. One of the noteworthy milestones was my parents celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary—a truly commendable achievement. Our family embarked on a memorable trip to India, introducing our American Indian daughter to the architectural marvels of the Taj Mahal in the north and the temples in the south. A week in summer was spent in my favorite part of the country—the Bay Area and Sonoma County—where we enjoyed time with family friends and explored the scenic wine country.

In the realm of work, the year unfolded as a tumultuous period marked by cost containment measures, leading to some challenging and gut-wrenching decisions regarding talent. This became deeply personal when I found myself affected by one of the rounds of cost-cutting actions. Suddenly, after dedicating over two decades of continuous work, I found myself unemployed. The experience was unsettling, and it felt as though the ground had given way beneath my feet, leaving me filled with anxiety and uncertainty. Navigating through the stages of grief associated with the loss of a job in a company I had been a part of for almost 8 years, I allowed myself to experience the full range of emotions and worked through the intensity of my feelings.

Eventually, this period became a much-needed reset and an opportunity for reassessment, allowing me to contemplate the direction I want to take next.

However, there were a few things I needed to unlearn and become comfortable with:

Shifting from a focus on resilience and powering through to practicing self-kindness, allowing myself to feel, experience, and move forward in due course.

Viewing this situation through a cultural lens and drawing on my experience as an immigrant to this country, the concept of resilience and grit has been ingrained in my mindset. Despite holding a master's degree and having a successful job in India, I found myself starting anew from ground zero. The ethos I grew up with emphasized powering through adversity without dwelling on setbacks, swiftly pivoting, and aiming for the next goal post. There was no room for a proverbial pause in my vocabulary. What distinguished this period was the necessity to concentrate on other aspects of my identity, providing me with a sense of purpose, complemented by the wisdom that accompanies age.

As my daughter is navigating the challenges of her teenage years, experiencing the typical anxieties shared by girls of her generation, she requires a distinct parental focus that extended beyond the capabilities of two working parents. Concurrently, she is also on the brink of transitioning to high school, initiating the application process for independent schools—a miniature version of the college application ordeal. ?

My attention underwent a complete shift as I dedicated myself to providing my daughter with the necessary tools to navigate the intricate maze of teen anxiety. Additionally, I took on the practical task of project planning her high school application process, ensuring she was well-equipped for this crucial phase in her academic journey.

Despite singular focus on my daughter during this time, it wasn't devoid of experiencing a profound sense of loss for my work family and the fulfilling tasks that brought me immense joy. The distinction lay in my approach—I entered this phase not evading the emotions of sadness but embracing them. I acknowledged that it was okay to feel sad and recognized the practical necessity of moving forward in due course. The experience was chaotic and uneasy to navigate, yet I understood there was no avoiding it.

A concept unfamiliar to me was the practice of self-kindness. Self-kindness involves treating oneself with care and understanding, particularly during difficult times. In my case, it translated to spending time in the garden cultivating vegetables and flowers. The process of nurturing something from the ground up instilled in me a sense of hope that stood in stark contrast to despair. It also involved things like taking my dog for a walk while listening to my favorite podcast or book, as well as spending time with a friend to discuss world views and seek opinions. Designing culinary experiences for friends and family proved to be an exceptional outlet for me.

Exploring avenues for personal and professional enrichment during this transitional period.

I have consistently found immense excitement and satisfaction in the pursuit of continuous learning. This quality becomes particularly beneficial when I undertake a new role to contribute to a business or function. To grasp, in a meaningful way, the core purpose or raison dêtre of the business or function is, in my view, the fundamental cornerstone of a business partners role.

?This presented a significant void for me as it constituted a crucial aspect of what brings fulfillment to my life. During this phase, I engaged in activities such as applying for roles, attending interviews, networking, and meeting new people. However, I also seized the opportunity to wholeheartedly delve into learning new things that I had never previously had the time for. This involved reading opinions and columns that broadened my worldview and offered unique and intriguing perspectives. Exploring emerging trends such as generative AI, the future of work, and skills-based organization. While the void wasnt entirely filled, it was undeniably filled with enough substance to leave me far from dissatisfied.

Learning to savor the time that the universe had provided without imposing aggressive deadlines or constantly thinking about the next steps and goals. This doesn't mean abandoning goals but setting realistic and pragmatic ones.

The final chapter of my journey seamlessly connected with the experiences from the initial phases. It was a moment of realization that life had taken on a more vivid hue, as if I had reluctantly pressed the feared but inevitable pause button. The idea of living in the moment had fascinated me for quite some time, and despite trying various forms of meditation and mindfulness with limited success, this phase allowed me to truly embrace the concept. By affording myself the freedom to feel, navigating the situation with a sense of acceptance, and opportunistically concentrating on personal enrichment sources that brought me joy, I discovered the ability to vividly experience life in a new and meaningful way.

Living life vividly refers to experiencing life with intensity, vibrancy, and a heightened sense of awareness. It implies fully engaging in the present moment, appreciating the beauty and richness of life, and being open to new experiences. People who strive to live life vividly often seek to make the most of their time, savoring both the positive and challenging aspects of existence.

How did this manifest for me? I found joy in marveling at the breathtaking fall colors, arguably the most beautiful time of the year in the New England area. I relished moments with family and friends without the nagging feeling that I was encroaching on time I didn't have due to a myriad of tasks. I came to value the simple act of spending time with myself and enjoying a show I liked or a book that caught my fancy. Additionally, I had the opportunity to informally mentor and assist others, providing me with a sense of fulfillment and giving back. I approached networking to connect with new individuals, broaden my perspectives, enhance my skills, and enrich my life, rather than viewing it as a burdensome task that required completion.

Conclusion

Where do I find myself today? Still a novice in this quest to live life vividly! However, I'm improving with each passing day. As I contemplate the year ahead, my aspirations don't include a plethora of new year resolutions; rather, I aim to live with intensity, vibrancy, and a heightened sense of awareness.

Here's my unsolicited advice: Wholeheartedly embrace life, immerse yourself in the present, and be open to new experiences—even those that may initially feel uncomfortable or lead you into the unknown. In these moments, where pivoting and thinking differently may be required, there lies the potential for a transformative payoff that will manifest when the time is right.

I'll conclude with a fitting quote from Abraham Lincoln: "I will prepare and someday my chance will come."