Preeti Shenoy's Blog, page 7

My top 3 love poems.

Hello,

Welcome to day 5 of my blog marathon!

(check my archives in the side bar to see previous posts. I am writing a new post every day for a month!)

On valentines day, I had put up a post on my Instagram: 5 things to NEVER do on Valentines! It got a lot of responses--and you can view it HERE. (In my Instagram post, I've talked about why you should not feel bad about being single, and why love is the most precious thing we can have in our lives/
Do read the short carousel post!)

Hence for my blog post, I thought I would share my top 3 love poems. Here are my top 3, in no particular order:

Your absence has gone through me

Like thread through a needle.

Everything I do is stitched with its colour.

---W.S. Merwin

How do I love three?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight.

---Elizabeth Barret Browning

Enemy

I had just fought this war and come back,
Minding my own business and drinking beer.
Then I met this girl at Joe’s
Who wrote poems on the back
Of napkins with ketchup.
Show me your heart, she said.
Don’t have one, I said.
She said hearts were what made her go.

Finally, I dug up the old, dark thing.

And she said, oh, but this is a grenade.

I told you, I said, and bit the pin. ---© 2002, C. P. Surendran
From: Canaries On the Moon
Publisher: Yeti, Calicut, 2002
ISBN: 818833006X

Source: https://www.poetryinternational.org/pi/poem/11100/auto/0/0/C-P-Surendran/Enemy/en/tile

The above poems are so beautifully expressed, and I loved them!
What are you doing for Valentines?
I am reading a book and drawing in my illustrated journal--same as I do any other day !
Tell me in comments what you think of Valentines. I'd love to hear.
See you tomorrow!
Love
Preeti______________________

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

@font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}@font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}.MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}

View more on Preeti Shenoy's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on February 14, 2022 05:29

3 easy steps start an illustrated journal

Hello again!

Today is day 4 of my blog marathon. You can click on the side bar and check out the archives to see the older posts.

One of my readers wanted me to write about my illustrated journals and how to start it.

But before I tell you the steps to start an illustrated journal, let me show you what it is (for those of you who are hearing it for the first time).

An illustrated journal is nothing but a diary, a record of your day, where you draw instead of writing down things. It is a visual record of what you choose to focus on in your day.

I have shared two pages from my journal.

I have been keeping illustrated journals for many years now, and over the years my style has evolved and changed, and I've got better at it. I find it extremely calming to sit down at the end of the day, and make a page in my journal. You can see more of mywork on my Instagram art account. Click HERE.

I first came across an illustrated journal many years ago when I saw Danny Gregory's work. I was fascinated and I enrolled immediately for a few courses on sketchbook skool.

If you are keen to learn illustrated journalling. I highly recommend doing the courses.
Alternatively you can join Skill share. I also teach creative writing on skillshare, and if you enrol using my link, you get a month free. Apart from accessing the creative writing course I teach, you also get access to thousands and thousands of other courses including art journalling, photography, gardening , cooking, Spanish or anything else you want to learn! I have done so many courses on skillshare too.

Here's the link:

https://www.skillshare.com/r/profile/Preeti-Shenoy/9270711?gr_tch_ref=off

To start an illustrated journal , there are just three simple steps:

Step 1. Buy a notebook and supplies:

What kind of a notebook depends on what kind of a journal you want to keep. When I started out, I used a basic drawing notebook (like the art books we use in schools) so I could practice and get better. I looked around and drew everything I saw. That is the best way to get better at drawing! I used Micron pens and water colours.

Step 2. Decide what you are going to draw:

As you keep drawing, your eye will get trained to focus on a single part of your day that you want to capture in your journal. For tips I recommend Samantha Baker Dion whose book is available on amazon.

Step 3. (this is the hardest step): Execute it!

Keep drawing every single day. In the beginning your pages may not look the way you want them to.Dpn't get discouraged or give up. Keep using all the resources I recommend above.

You can also search on Youtube for thousands of free resources too.

That's all there is to it. Keep repeating every single day and you will soon have many beautiful journals full of the art you make!

Good luck!

Will blog again tomorrow.
Don't forget to leave me comments and tell me anything that's on your mind! (and anything you want me to write about)

Love
Preeti

View more on Preeti Shenoy's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on February 13, 2022 06:52

5 Big Questions To Decide If It's The Right Job

Hello again!
Today is day 3 of my blog marathon .(30 days, 30 new posts! Hit subscribe to get them in your inbox, free of cost)

One of my readers asked me this question:

We all need to earn money--and most of us do it by taking up a job.

Here are 5 questions to ask yourself, before you decide if it is the job is right for you:

1. How does it make you feel?

What is your gut feel? I think most of us ignore our gut feel, because we are swayed by the financial packages a company offers. Forget about the money that it offers for a brief while. Does the work itself excite you?

2. Does the work align with what you value?

For example, you might want a job that has specific deadlines, and you might want to work in a group. Or you might want a lot of autonomy and flexibility. Different companies have different policies. Choose a company whose values match closely with yours.

3. Is the work challenging?

Will you get bored in a couple of months when the newness wears off? Does it give you space to grow? If it doesn't you might feel demotivated.

4. Do you like the work atmosphere?

You will be spending many hours in this company. Right now, most of us are working from home. But at some point, there will come a time when you would have to go into the office at least twice or thrice a week. Certain other companies might want you to come in all 6 days of the week. Do you like the feel of the place? Can you imagine yourself belonging here?

5. Does it align with your long term goals?

When I wanted to become a writer, I took up jobs in a newspaper and I wrote for magazines. Then I went on to write for anthologies, and then I wrote my book. Had I taken up a corporate job, it would have been far from my goal of becoming a novelist. Take up a job that aligns with your long term career goals.

There's one other thing to consider about the amount of money that you make in a job. Never take up a job solely because it pays well.
The thing about 'earning well' is that it is never enough. No matter how much you earn, the human mind is always such that you quickly get used to the comforts and luxuries, and your mind tricks you into looking for the 'next big thing'. The consumerist society we live in, doesn't help.
If you live in a 3 bed room apartment, you are looking at the time when you can afford to buy a row house. If you live in a row house, you crave for a villa. If you live in a villa, you are looking at the next new project which offers even more amenities and luxuries.

I've writen about this in detail in my non-fiction self help book The Magic Mindset.

Do read the book (highlighted word is a link) if you haven't yet read it. It has an entire section on money and finances.

If you want me to write about any specific thing, leave me a request by heading over to my comment box. (I may not be able to reply individually to mails if you are reading this in your inbox)

I would love to hear from you.

See you again tomorrow, at the same time.

Love
Preeti

Photo by Luis Villasmil on Unsplash

View more on Preeti Shenoy's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on February 12, 2022 07:05

Five most important things to decide before marriage

Yesterday, in my post I'd asked you if you wanted me to write on a specific topic. I got many requests for various topics; One of the messages I got was this one:

The men who are reading this--please don't bristle at what I am about to say. I say it as I see it.

The way I see it, parents in India still have a mentality of marriage being the end goal for girls. The Indian society is largely geared towards 'getting the daughter married off before she is 'too old', the 'too-old' being dictated by the community which the family belongs to.

According to a 2019 report from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the overall average age of marriage for girls in India is 22.1 years , though the median age lies at 19 years.

It's easy to see why. In a largely patriarchal society, the younger the girl, the easier it is for the groom's family to 'mould' her into whatever they want her to be. Most Indian women are conditioned to 'take care' of the husband and his family after marriage.( Please remember that 65.07% of the Indian population is rural, as on 2020 from the data compiled by World bank. The attitudes in Rural India contrast sharply to the ones in Urban India)

Hence I can understand why this reader asked me the question about women achieving their dreams 'after marriage' and 'without disturbing family'.

This mindset has to change.

The woman has every right to pursue all her dreams after marriage (as much as the man does too).

Here are FIVE most important things that you MUST discuss and agree on, before you get married.

1. Please discuss your career goals with the person you are going to marry. Tell them what is important to you. If you live in different cities, then decide beforehand how you are going to manage. Will you live apart? Don't give up your job and move to the other person's town or city just because you are a woman. You partner has to be supportive of your career goals.

2. Have a frank discussion on what your views are about having children. Both of you should have the same views on how many kids you want to have, whether to want to have children at all, and how are the duties going to be divided once you have children. This is extremely important.

3. Please agree that raising a family is not the woman's responsibility alone. Hence there's no question of 'having a career without disturbing the family'. A marriage is a 50-50 partnership. He does his bit, and you do yours.

4. Agree about who is going to cook meals on a regular basis and what kind of food will be made. Please divide the duties equally--whether you hire a cook, or have to supervise the maid, or have to be home because the Internet guy is coming to fix the connection etc etc (you get the picture). The house will not run on its own. If you agree beforehand, there are lesser chances of conflict.

5. Please discuss about your financial goals. Have a common account for the household expenses where you both contribute equally. Have individual accounts. I know many women give up their jobs after they get married, because they are pressurised into doing so. Don't! Please retain your financial independence. The balance in the marriage is maintained when both partners hold the reins to the finance, else it tilts towards the person who is earning (no matter how understanding and nice they are).

A marriage is a lifelong contract. It is a commitment, and you have to work at the relationship. There are going to be many ups and downs. It helps to lay the ground rules.

I hope these tips help.

If you want to read a fictional book about a marriage gone sour, read The Secret Wishlist.

A few copies are still available. They will soon go out of stock as Westland is shutting down.

Leave me a comment, and tell me what you think .

And yes, if you want me to blog about any specific thing, let me know in the comment box.

This is post 2 of the blog marathon that I am doing. (30 days 30 new posts) . Hit subscribe if you want it in your inbox.

Will blog again tomorrow.

Love
Preeti

_______________

Photo by Ryan Moreno on Unsplash

View more on Preeti Shenoy's website »

2 likes · Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on February 11, 2022 06:29

Blog marathon starts today! (post 1)

Hello beautiful people!

How are you all doing? With the omicron wave subsiding in most states, I am sure you are feeling a bit more hopeful than you did during the last wave. Let's all hope it subsides and we're all able to travel like before (although with precautions of course).

Each year I do a blog marathon. What this means is I will be blogging every single day, for the next 30 days! If you subscribe (see the box on the left) you should be able to get the posts in your inbox. In case it doesn't work, you can always come back here and check if I have updated. I usually publish a new post by the end of the day.

Many people ask me why I do a blog marathon every year. For me, the blogging community is always special. I'd started this blog in October 2006, a month after I lost my father. This blog helped me form real connections with real people (who I met later in real life :) ) across the world. I've never come across a more supportive community than the blogging community. Hence doing a blog marathon is my way of 'giving back'.

(I've kept my blog free of ads and I don't earn anything from my blog. I write here because I want to connect to you all). There's something so special about writing blog posts, and exchanging comments in the comment box, don't you agree?

If there's any specific topic you want me to write on, please leave me a comment in my comment box. (If you are reading this in your inbox, please head over to my blog and use the comment box. It may not be possible for me to reply to all mails individually!)

If you don't have any specific topic, I'll blog about anything that catches my fancy. Perhaps it would be a drawing or a photo on some days. On other days it could be musings about life.

I'll see you here tomorrow.
Till then stay safe, keep smiling

Love 💗

Preeti

View more on Preeti Shenoy's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on February 10, 2022 06:55

Turning 50

Today, I turned fifty. It seems like a big number, and it seems like a milestone. I think it is more so because suddenly I am hit with a realization that more than half my life is over (If I presume a lifespan of 85 years, which is a more than reasonable assumption).

I have always believed that age doesn’t define you. In one of my books, a character says ‘You can be old at 24 or young at 62’ and it is a maxim I’ve lived by. Yet I cannot escape the undeniable physical signs of ageing—grey hair, actually being one of the better things about it because there are worse things, which I leave to your imagination!

For the past few months, (partly because I have completed the manuscript of my 14th book and sent it off to my publishers) I’ve been ruminating and thinking deeply about life. What does it mean to be a certain age? What does it mean to turn fifty? Is it watching one’s body slowly wither away? Is it growing stronger mentally? Is it accepting the ravages of time on everything you hold dear? Is it watching life slip by?

For me, it is taking stock of where you are at, at this point in your life, and deciding where you want to go from here onward. Though one can do it at any age, fifty makes it feel like a turning point. This is because by the time people are fifty, they’ve usually achieved most of the things that were driving them in their twenties and thirties, and perhaps forties too. For me too, it is the same.

One of the things I’m most grateful for, is that I’ve achieved all the goals I set for myself, and I’m living my dream life. Today, I feel blessed to have a beautiful home (that my husband and I worked very hard to create).

I feel blessed that I have raised two gorgeous human beings who are kind, sensitive and compassionate (I have a 24-year-old son and a 20-year-old daughter).

As an author, I am happy with all I’ve accomplished---I am one of the highest selling authors in the country, I’ve won many awards, my books have won awards too. I’ve been interviewed by BBC (click here to watch) and Doordarshan (click here).

I’ve been invited as a speaker at almost every major international literary festivals, including Birmingham, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

My latest self-help book The Magic Mindset has been nominated by Amazon in the ‘Most popular self-help’ category. (Do click here to vote if you haven’t yet voted; It’s the only Indian book to be nominated in that category).

Most importantly, I feel very blessed to have readers like you, who buy my books, and see value in my work.

As an artist, I am very satisfied to be able to create portraits that bring me joy. (You can check out my work here).

As you go through your forties, you become more and more certain about things you want and do not want in your life which includes friendships. I find that I do not have time for fake, arrogant or rude people. I now have the wisdom and judgement to see through people, and I can spot insincerity a mile away. I am no longer surprised by how selfish most are. I step aside from the ones that drain me or want to use me. I wish them well, and I focus on what gives me joy.

Just before the pandemic started, one of the things that I’d decided was that I wanted to have a body, that I was proud of. In February 2020, I’d joined a gym. I started weight-training for the very first time. No sooner had I learnt the basics, we went into lockdown, in March, the same year. I decided to continue training at home. It was hard to procure the weights (it was out of stock everywhere!). So, I worked out with the dumbbells that I already had. After a few months of desperately trying, I was delighted when we did manage to get barbells and weight plates and a training bench too which my son and I assembled.

I pushed myself to work out at home, and stayed consistent even though it was very hard. I gave up alcohol completely because I felt my body didn’t need it. I tried to eat healthy most of the time. I now had a new goal---that I wanted to be the fittest I’ve ever been, by the time I turn fifty. I am proud (and happy) that I’ve achieved that as well:

These are pics after my workout yesterday.

The thing about life is that time doesn’t stop for anyone. We all age. We’re all growing older by the minute. But it is what you do every moment and every day that matters. The small moments all add up and make an hour; the hours make a day, the days turn into weeks and before you realize, the years have gone by!

At fifty, I’m grateful for many things—including my grey hair! I no longer care about ‘looking young’. I am simply grateful I’ve lived to see this day---a privilege denied to many.

Make today count. You might have heard this many times. But when you’re fifty, you know for a fact that this cliché is what makes life worth living.

___________________________________________

@font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}@font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}@font-face {font-family:"Calibri Light"; panose-1:2 15 3 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}p.MsoTitle, li.MsoTitle, div.MsoTitle {mso-style-priority:10; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-link:"Title Char"; mso-style-next:Normal; margin:0cm; mso-add-space:auto; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:28.0pt; font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:"Calibri Light"; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:major-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:"Calibri Light"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:major-bidi; letter-spacing:-.5pt; mso-font-kerning:14.0pt; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}p.MsoTitleCxSpFirst, li.MsoTitleCxSpFirst, div.MsoTitleCxSpFirst {mso-style-priority:10; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-link:"Title Char"; mso-style-next:Normal; mso-style-type:export-only; margin:0cm; mso-add-space:auto; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:28.0pt; font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:"Calibri Light"; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:major-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:"Calibri Light"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:major-bidi; letter-spacing:-.5pt; mso-font-kerning:14.0pt; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}p.MsoTitleCxSpMiddle, li.MsoTitleCxSpMiddle, div.MsoTitleCxSpMiddle {mso-style-priority:10; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-link:"Title Char"; mso-style-next:Normal; mso-style-type:export-only; margin:0cm; mso-add-space:auto; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:28.0pt; font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:"Calibri Light"; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:major-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:"Calibri Light"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:major-bidi; letter-spacing:-.5pt; mso-font-kerning:14.0pt; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}p.MsoTitleCxSpLast, li.MsoTitleCxSpLast, div.MsoTitleCxSpLast {mso-style-priority:10; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-link:"Title Char"; mso-style-next:Normal; mso-style-type:export-only; margin:0cm; mso-add-space:auto; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:28.0pt; font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:"Calibri Light"; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:major-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:"Calibri Light"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:major-bidi; letter-spacing:-.5pt; mso-font-kerning:14.0pt; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}span.TitleChar {mso-style-name:"Title Char"; mso-style-priority:10; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-locked:yes; mso-style-link:Title; mso-ansi-font-size:28.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:28.0pt; font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:"Calibri Light"; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:major-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:"Calibri Light"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:major-bidi; letter-spacing:-.5pt; mso-font-kerning:14.0pt;}.MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}

<font size="4"><span style="font-family: arial;">@font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}@font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}.MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}</span></font>

Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/

View more on Preeti Shenoy's website »

5 likes · Like • 1 comment • flag

Published on December 21, 2021 02:20

The Magic Mindset: How to find your happy space. Some questions answered.

Hello again!

In the last post, I'd mentioned about the cover unveiling of my new non-fiction book The Magic Mindset. So many of you joined in and you made the celebration of the book truly special by interacting with me, sending me your wishes. Thank you so much for that!

Here's the cover of the book!

To capture the spirit of the book, my publishers Harper Collins created this beautiful video , which I want to share with you. Do use the headphones or switch on the sound and watch it.

If this video made you feel calm and peaceful, then you will definitely love the book!

To give you a better idea about the book, here are a few questions that I was asked, and my answers as well!

1) What brings you to write this book? What is it that you want to send out into the world via this book?

I began the 21 days of positivity when the first lockdown started in 2020. At that time we naively believed that the lockdown would be only for 21 days. We were all in shock, and unaware of what was to come. As the lockdowns kept getting extended and the situation began getting more and more terrifying, a lot of people found it very hard to stay positive. They were locked inside their homes, finding it hard to cope. Many wrote to me saying that on some days it was only my posts and writing that kept them afloat. They urged me to write a book about it, and this book is the result of that.
The message I want to send out --No matter what your situation, there's an alternate way of looking at it, and it is possible to feel joy.

2) In the challenging times that we live in today, do you feel a mindset reset is difficult to attempt or do you think it's possible to do with the right guidance/prompt/inspiration?

I think just like we can train our muscles in the gym, we can train our mind to think in a certain way. It does require that you put in the work, and make a conscious effort. A mindset reset is indeed possible, but the basic thing is you have to want it, and believe that a change is possible. It all depends on what you choose to focus on and prioritise.

3) Self help is an overly subscribed section when it comes to book, would you say your book is more about the practice rather than the theory? That it's about self work rather than self introspection only, because we've enough of the latter but few books actually lay out or lead us towards the goal?

Yes, my book is definitely more about the practice. I have laid out the principles in every area--health, relationships, finances etc. But to put them into practice, I have also given a lot of tools. Throughout the book there are questions which require you to think. There are small tasks which you will need to complete. I've also shared incidents from my own life, as well as inspiring stories of other people. There is also a 14 day positivity challenge at the end of the book, which you can do if you feel that you need a little push.

4) Is finding 'your happy place' a sort of refuge or is it more a conscious state of being that you think we need to practice being in?

It is not a refuge at all. The book does not take a 'pollyanna-ish approach' by pretending everthing is okay, and we have to look at the bright side, while ignoring realities which might be harsh. The 'happy place' i refer to is within us. It involves recognising what we already have and making small changes in how we apporoach things and being content with the progress we make.

5) How did you imagine the book to be while writing it? And now that it's about to release this month, do you think its shape and form adhere to your vision?

I did not have a vision for this book at all. I was simply pouring my heart out into it, in a genuine bid to help people. Everyone was feeling devastated and I wanted to show them that it is possible to feel joy and hope again. I am delighted to say it has far exceeded my expectations! The various sections deal with every possible situation in life, and there are practice exercises you can do to take your power back.

6) While it's a book to read, would you also say it's a pathway to practice being more purposeful?

I think it is more of a 'practical guide to a happier life'. It doesn't prescribe a one-size-fits-all solution,. Instead it encourages you to think deeper about the issues that are bothering you. It gently points out alternatives. Then it lets you make the decisions that are best for you.

7) social media has become such a space for projecting an ideal reality which could be potion for some and poison for the others. Do you think that a gear shift in one's approach to one's own lives in relation to what exists out there is needed? Does your book help with that?

There's an entire chapter on social media and how to deal with the negative impacts of it.

8) What do you want your readers to get from The Magic Mindset?

I want them to find their happy place. I want them to feel joyful, hopeful and enthusisatic about life. If this book helps them to do that, I'd be overjoyed.

If you haven't yet ordered it, please do place an order. All pre-orders are limited edition printed signed copies with a message in my handwriting!

Grab the book on amazon: Preeti.io/magic

Grab it on Flipkart: Preeti.io/magicmindset

Will blog again soon!
Love
Preeti

__________________________________________________________

Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/

View more on Preeti Shenoy's website »

2 likes · Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on September 10, 2021 21:46

Join us for a LIVE tomorrow, for everything about my new non fiction book!

Hi all!
I am really excited to share the cover of my new non-fiction book in a live session tomorrow (3rd September ,Friday) at 5.00 pm. We will stream it live on Facebook as well as on Instagram!
Do join us. We will talk about how to find your happy space in these difficult times. We will give you a sneak peek into the topics of the book and we will also answer your questions.

Instagram: Preeti.io/insta

Facebook: Preeti.io/fb

Do mark your calendar and see you tomorrow!

Love

Preeti Shenoy

Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/

View more on Preeti Shenoy's website »

1 like · Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on September 02, 2021 09:09

A writer's observation at Nepali Temple in Varanasi.

In the year 1800, in the month of May, Varanasi received an unusual visitor — a heartbroken man called Swami Nirgunanada who came with a large group of women and men. He was actually the the King of Nepal, Rana Bahadur Shah, who was fleeing Kathmandu where military forces had been dispatched to arrest him.
He stayed in Varanasi for four years and began the construction of a temple — a replica of the Pashupathi nath temple of Kathmandu.
During its construction Rana Bahadur Shah moved back to Nepal where he was stabbed to death in 1806 by his step brother.
The temple could be completed only 20 years later, when his son undertook the project.
The land belongs to Nepal Government now.

.
I fell in love with the temple built in pagoda style architecture, made of wood, terracotta and stone. See this photo below and you can imagine how much effort went into its construction and how skilled the artisans were.

I observed old women, dressed in white , living inside the temple premises. They were at peace with themselves and the world. It made me think about an alternate world view — a quiet acceptance of life, minus the ego, minus the rat race we city-folks indulge in, minus the desires for the next big car, house or promotion.

Later as I descended the steps of the temple , I saw a goat (or a ram) perched on a platform atop a sign board in hindi that said “ghat walk”. “Ghat walk or Goat walk?” , I asked my mother. She didn’t get it immediately but when she did, she said my observations were unusual.
“I guess that’s what makes me a writer,” I replied.

Perhaps this temple will find a mention in one of my future books. (If you have read my previous books, you'll know that when I am fascinated by a place, it always finds a way into my writing!)

Will try and blog again soon. Till then, take care.

Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/

View more on Preeti Shenoy's website »

1 like · Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on August 26, 2021 06:21

My next book--out in September 2021 !

Hello dear folks!

How have you all been? My last post here was in April. After that India was hit with the worst second wave of the pandemic. The images of horror are etched indelibly in all our memories, and I sincerely hope we avoid a third.

Like many of you, I too lost loved ones. The one thing this pandemic has done is shown us all what truly matters---enjoying the cherished moments we have with our loved ones, being grateful for the gift of health, doing what you love and doing a lot of it.

I was also busy with the edits of my next book which be out in the last week of September . It is a non-fiction book on finding that happy space, especially in these times. It was a very exciting time when my editor sent me this photo with these messages:

As you can see from the messages that my editor shared, the book has a lot of lovely exercises, which make you think. I have shared a numerous anecdotes from my own life too, apart from many real life stories that helped me and motivated me. It is a practical guide which you can use instantly to feel better about your life. It covers a wide range of topics ranging from relationships, finances and health.

The cover reveal will happen in a live video sometime towards the end of this month. My daughter and I will be unveiling the cover, and I am very excited about it. That is when the pre-orders will start too, and yes, all the pre-orders will be limited edition printed signed copies!

In case you want to be on the mailing list, where you will be among the first group of people to know more about my books, you can sign up using this link:

preeti.io/form

It takes less than a minute to fill up, and I will write to you, when the pre-orders open.

Apart from this, I've started painting landscapes. I've started displaying them on my wardrobe and I intend to cover my entire wardrobe with my paintings :) Here are some of them:

I think it is so important to do one activity every day where you can forget all your worries and relax! It is also good to remind ourselves every now and then to focus on the positives. For this, I started a Telegram channel a couple of months back, and we recently became 2K strong ! You might already be aware of my Telegram Channel but if you aren't, you can use this link:

https://t.me/thepreetishenoyclub

I shall write more as and when I have more updates.
Hopefully very soon!

Till then, stay safe and take care.

Love
Preeti

Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/