Creating your paradise island

I enter the kitchen. I’m too dull headed to cut the veggies but still do it. I toss them while my milk boiler is screaming. The cooker with dal yells and spits at me - I get frustrated with the tantrums of the dal water that’s pouring out. I place a cloth underneath to clean what my cooker spits.?

I look at the time and with an urge to rush I increase the stove flame. "Will my daughter like it? Will the curry be tasty? Will my man enjoy the food" - thoughts of how people would take it surrounds.

Packing everything into different boxes I leave. “Yet another dal - Amma, the curry had less salt” my daughter sighs. “How was the food?” - as I ask my man, “yeah it’s good” - though he says it’s good, I feel unappreciated.?

“You never understand the effort it takes. I can only do so much - one final day I burst out!” - every household story!

Now let’s change the game!?

As I plan my early morning, splashing some cold water on my face to energise myself, I enter the kitchen. I oversee the boiling milk raising up with energies and fresh ferments stating good morning, add a blend of hot water with the brown beauty - the first coffee aroma tickles my senses as I close my eyes and take the first sip. My favourite song “Kurai ondrum Illai” (translating no complains) - plays followed by my own little world “kanda sashti kavasam” - these are not religious but life’s philosophy I learnt. Each word has a deep meaning if you trigger your inner eye!

I spend time frying the Onions, giving their lonely time observing the process followed by the tomatoes. I smile at the tomatoes releasing their flavour and aroma followed by the color. I sprinkle salt and top them with red chillies to blend to combine their strengths and enjoy the whole process. Letting them to settle finally, I’m humming the last lines and suddenly move to higher pitch as I switch on the mixer. I see the milk boiler is not yelling but singing with her shrill voice as the pressure cooker compliments pairing up as a team. I smile at the team work!

“Amma, the tomato chutney is awesome” my daughter is all in smiles sometimes.?

“Amma, salt is less” - in case she still says, “oh yeah this could’ve tasted better” as I say, I try to correct. “Hey, it’s not so spicy.. could’ve added more chillies” as my man says - “probably next time” I smile.

My morning energies multiplying or draining is just within me - I drive to office entering with a "Good morning" smile!

What was the difference between the two experiences:

1. In the first scenario, I was not passionate about what I was doing. I woke up to the burden of my duty, running across wanting a timely outcome to wash off my duty that I got irritated and frustrated finally when someone gave a feedback - I felt the whole world is bad even after I did my duty well. I was energy drained already at the start of my day. I was only dependent on how the world sees me or measures my outcome that added to stress and complains.
2. In the second scenario, I combined what I liked - my music, observation, reflecting little things on life and cooked with passion??- this brought in good results. I enjoyed the process and didn’t feel burdened. I wasn’t waiting for someone to tell me how to enjoy my cooking process but created my own paradise in my little world. Even when my work had some flaws, I didn’t get hurt with the feedback from my stakeholders, but only learnt from it with an open mind as my state of mind was able to understand it was a fact and not just emotions?wrapped. I was no longer dependent on clinging on to someones appreciation but loved what I did.

It’s not just a household story. It’s the story of our corporate lives. We crib and constantly complain about how bad our job is or people are. Just turn around the situation by enjoying the process and getting indulged and involved what you do and not do it just as your duty - you will see a different world!

A world where you are able to comprehend the feedback in a logical way and not an emotional way. A world where you are not chasing or racing with the others but you work for your inner passion and happiness. A world where you’re not feeling unappreciated or bothered about what you get in return!?

The little paradise - at work or home - is just within you!

This is an amazing island where you’re the king and the queen!?