Things That I am Grateful for, in 2020

 

"Life surprises us the most

When we refuse to quit

At the face of thunder and hurricane,

Knowing well that every storm

Will eventually run out of rain."

2020 changed our perspective towards life. It made us pause, reflect, and introspect. Apart from Covid-19, we people in Kolkata had to fight the hurricane called Amphan in the month of May which was devastating. Negativity, chaos, restlessness, and fear of the uncertain were looming all around us. And yet, 2020 is the year that helped me discover my inner power. 

In this post, I am going to share 7 things that I am grateful for, in 2020 :

1. Yoga and Meditation

I started doing Yoga regularly in 2019 but this year helped me go deeper into it. As I was determined to keep myself physically and mentally fit this year, I made yoga asanas, pranayamas, and meditation an integral part of my daily life.

I started practicing Vinyasa Yoga (flow of yoga asanas) and embarked on my journey towards Kriya Yoga after reading 'Autobiography of a Yogi'.

I completed the first part of the 4-part Kriya Home Study Course by Ananda Institution founded by Swami Kriyananda. Spirituality helped me keep calm amid the chaos. It taught me to stay stable even when situations and people were not according to my way. 

2. Life-Changing Books  

There was no electricity in our house for about 4 days after the Amphan thunderstorm. It was a very difficult time in our lives. That was when some divine force inspired me to pick the book 'Autobiography of a Yogi' from my bookshelf. 

It won't be an exaggeration if I say that it is the best book I have ever read in my life. It changed me as a person and empowered me with its plethora of spiritual teachings. I know that I will go back to this book again and again throughout my life. 

Other life-changing books that I read in 2020 for which I am grateful for, are Tuesdays with Morrie, Hygge, Archer by Paulo Coelho, Vitamin H series by Abhishek Thakkar, Follow Your Rainbow by Rashmi Bansal, Adiyogi by Sadhguru. 

3. Baking

I learned baking this year! I always wanted to bake cakes but due to my hectic schedule, I always ordered from a confectionery shop. Things were different this year due to the lockdown. 

I was not ready to spend my birthday without a birthday cake. So I decided to try baking. On my birthday, I baked a chocolate cake and decorated it with wafers, gems, and nutties. It was so delicious that I fell in love with the art of baking. I made mango cake, coffee cake, and many more chocolate cakes throughout the year. 

I am so grateful that this year made me fall in love with baking. The aroma of a freshly baked cake is magical!

4. Family Time and Staying in Touch with loved ones

Another thing that I am grateful for in 2020 is the amazing bonding time that Papa and I got. Papa and I have always been busy with our work commitments. But 2020 gave us ample time to be each other's best friends. 

We cooked together, tried various recipes, baked, divided household chores, watched web series, listened to audio stories together, celebrated festivals and special occasions. 

I am also grateful that I could stay in touch with my loved ones through video calls and audio calls. Although I couldn't meet them, but we could be with each other in the highs and lows of this turbulent year. 

5. A great year for writing

2020 has been a very fulfilling year for my writing journey. I was busy with clearing UGC NET and with other content developing projects in 2019 which halted my writing. I am so grateful that I could focus on my writing project "Mythological Monologues" when the lockdown started. 

The A to Z challenge helped me complete my 6th book "Mythological Monologues" and publish it later in both Kindle and Paperback edition. 

In the month of November, I participated in NaNoWriMo and completed writing my next novel "Falling Like the Stars" (of 50,000 words) in a month. 

I also wrote a thriller short story "Larceny of Identity" for the book "Macabre Tales" of which I am a guest author. I won the Romantic Rendezvous contest of Writers Melon in which my romantic short story "One day, it will rain" got the first prize and was selected for their upcoming anthology. My audio story "Rose, the Painter's Beloved" (a paranormal story) was selected in the audiobook "Unearthly Lores". You can listen to the story here. 

Overall, it was a fulfilling year for writing where I worked on my poetry book, novel, and short stories of 3 genres - romance, thriller, and horror. 

6. Learning Literature with Purba

Students were unable to attend classes in this pandemic. I feel so grateful that I could teach English Literature to college students and NET aspirants through my YouTube Channel and Podcast of Learning Literature with Purba. 

My sole focus was to create enriching videos of English Literature that could help plenty of students and make bite-sized podcast episodes that will make Literature a lot of fun. Today, my channel has more than 13.6K subscribers and my podcast is being listened by people of more than 18 countries. 

7. Happiness lies within

I learned this year that my happiness lies within me, not on something outside me. I am the Creator of my Destiny. I create my thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds which contribute to my happiness. 

This year, after the lockdown, I could not meet any of my friends. The first time I went out of my house was in November after more than 8 months of staying at the house. I hardly ordered food from restaurants and went on outings. Despite that, I was happy, stable, and peaceful. 

All I had to do was think and create positive thoughts consciously, take care of my mental and physical health, and wake up with the intention of being good and kind to everyone who comes across me. When we are calm, we can find joy in every situation. This year empowered me and helped me connect with my inner paradise. 

Well, these are a few things that I am extremely grateful for, in 2020. This year brought me closer to myself, made me calmer, wiser, and more compassionate. 

The fact that we have reached the end of 2020 proves that we have survived the most challenging year with flying colours. I am sure all of us have learned something from this year that we will carry forward in 2021. 

May we be compassionate towards everyone - ourselves, fellow humans, animals, and Mother Nature. Wishing everyone a wonderful 2021! 

"When humans learn to bloom together

At their own pace and style

Like the rose, lily, and the sunflower~

No competition

No insecurities

No fear

No envy;

The Earth will turn into an

Evergreen garden of paradise." 

 ‘This blog post is a part of the Welcome 2021 Blog Hop hosted by Swarnali Nath.’

Marriage (Microtale)

Here’s how Cashify helped Rhea arrange our reunion party!

My school friend, Rhea invited me and several other friends of our 2008 ISC batch to a grand reunion party at her house this month. She stays in Mumbai and we met after about four years. The party was amazing and all of us enjoyed to the fullest. I couldn’t believe that Rhea had thrown such a grand reunion party for all of us. 

“Thanks for the party, Rhea. It was so generous of you to spend so much from your hard earned money for arranging this party.” I said before leaving her house.

“Nothing like that! There was an old Samsung smartphone of mine that was rotting in this house. I got my hands on the phone and voila! I arranged this party.” Rhea said with twinkling eyes.

“What are you talking about? You managed to get enough money by selling off your old smartphone. I can’t believe it.” 

“All thanks to Cashify!” Rhea beamed.

“Now, what is Cashify? I tried to sell off my old phone so many times, but the deals are so bad that I wish to donate it someday.” I muttered.

“Okay. Let me share with you my story!” Rhea said.

Rhea: “It was a beautiful autumn evening

When I was busy with house cleaning;

It was then I noticed my old Samsung phone

Abandoned by all, to a corner it was thrown;

The phone was in a good condition

Selling it off became my mission;

I planned to throw a grand reunion party

If I have some cash handy.”

Me: “Wow! Then, how did you try to sell it?

Rhea: “I posted a status on my social media sites

Mentioning about the phone and its highlights;

But no one seemed interested

I could see my plan getting canceled.

That was when a guy messaged me

His interest in the phone brought some positivity;

I decided to meet him the next day

Without wasting any time at the nearby café."

Me: “What happened when you met him?”

Rhea: “He looked decent and I was hopeful

I wish I had been careful;

We exchanged pleasantries and I showed him the phone

He looked at it and told me I seemed very familiar and known;

I smiled without knowing what to say

He said he was interested in buying the phone that very day;

I was overjoyed and thanked him

When he asked me out for dinner with him;

I left the café, visibly upset

Denying his offer and request."

Me: (Laughing) "That was hilarious! What did you do next?"

Rhea: “I decided I have to forget

My plans of selling off the phone via internet;

Luckily, I met my cousin that evening

Everything changed after that meeting;

She introduced me to Cashify

The ideal destination where people can sell and buy;

I selected my device and got the best device price

Cashify arranged a free pickup after I accepted the price.”

Me: "Wow! This sounds so cool. I haven’t heard of such a useful website where you can sell off your old smartphone so easily. So, did you get paid finally?”

Rhea: “Instant Cash was handed to me

At the time of pickup which was free;

I was delighted when I got the cash

I arranged the reunion party in a flash;

You must check out Cashify to believe my story

It will make you happy and let you never worry

#CleanUpCashOut with Cashify

To all your smartphone selling woes, now say goodbye!”

After hearing how Cashify helped Rhea arrange our reunion party, I couldn’t resist myself from checking out this website. It is so simple selling off your old gadgets on Cashify. You just need to select what you want to sell. If it is a mobile phone, you have to first select your device. 

After selecting your device, you need to answer a few, simple questions. You need to state if it is possible to make and receive calls from your mobile phone. Then, you have to carefully choose the functional or physical problems of the cell phone to get the accurate price. Next, you have to select the accessories of the phone that are available. Finally, you have to select the mobile age and choose the appropriate condition of your phone from the list given.

You will get the device price as soon as you answer these simple questions. Thanks to Rhea, I could also sell off my old phone through Cashify at a decent price. So, what are you waiting for? I am sure you too must have a few gadgets languishing in your house that is just adding up to the clutter. Go to Cashify right away and sell off your old gadgets. Use the coupon (CLEANCASH) to get additional 250 INR on the sale of your gadget. Doesn't it sound perfect?

#CleanUpCashOut with Cashify this season!

No hassles, no woes!

Say hello to Cashify and goodbye to all your worries!

Blogging gets better and exciting with Affimity!

Have you ever wished for a social media platform that could drive some enthusiastic readers to your blog? Well, I have. Innumerable times! Facebook is a great platform to stay connected with friends and acquaintances, but it has never been very useful to get authentic readers for my blog.

That’s because most of my Facebook friends do not share my passion. Then, why will they care to check out the latest book review I posted or the App that I reviewed? Twitter and Instagram are better, but even they cannot satisfy the readership that a blogger wants….readers who will share the passion of the blogger.

The even more annoying part is when your news feed gets cluttered with status and links that don’t interest you even a bit. There have been so many times when I felt weary checking out the news feed on my Facebook profile. So I really wished of a social media platform that can drive some enthusiastic readers to my blog as well as inspire me with some great content.

And my wish just came true…with Affimity!

Affimity is an awesome Social Media platform that bloggers can use effectively for Social blogging. I have been hearing recently a lot about Affimity from my blogger friends, but when I checked it out, I was absolutely thrilled with the result.

Affimity consists of channels, based on a single interest such as books, movies, music, travel, food, etc. The channel is like your home where you can go to share your content, to get informed and to make friends with people who share your passion.

I am an author and I have a book blog. Therefore, the channel ‘book club’ got me interested the most. I went to the channel and posted about my new poetry book and the latest book that I reviewed. Within a few hours, I got more than 40 likes and a handful of genuine and eager comments. At that moment, I realized that this is the perfect social media platform that I was wishing for.

You don’t need to be a blogger to enjoy the cool features of Affimity. If you are a movie enthusiast or a food enthusiast, you can have a great time basking in the community buzz of the movie or the food channel.

Joining #Affimity will help you to connect with people who share your interest. So if you are a travel blogger, you will get to interact with people who are passionate about travelling through Affimity. The same applies for book bloggers, movie bloggers, fashion blogger and food bloggers.

Once you explore Affimity, you can’t help admitting that blogging gets better and exciting with Affimity. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up in #Affimity to enjoy #SocialBlogging and don’t forget to follow me (Purba_PC) there. 

You can enjoy #AffimitySocialBlogging in your phone now.

Download the app on your Android and iOS phone.

Top 10 posts of Love, Laugh and Reflect in 2015!

This year has been a very beautiful year in terms of blogging and writing. Although juggling 2 blogs Love, Laugh and Reflect and Purba's Library becomes a bit tedious at times, I have tried my level best to do so. I made so many wonderful friends this year through blogging and learned a lot. I also attended my first Blogger's meet and won a handful of blogging contests this year. Overall, it's been a very rewarding year.

So today when it's just a few hours from stepping into the new year, I thought to pause a bit, rewind back and cherish my favorite 10 posts of Love, Laugh and Reflect. 

1. A stranger's love letter! ~ Fiction

A short story that I wrote in February, 2015. I thought a few times to write the second part, but ultimately discarded the idea.

Natasha buys a second-hand book "Love Poems by Pablo Neruda" to pass the time in a train journey. As she turns the pages of the book, a letter escapes from between. The letter starts with the words "My Natasha"

2. Soulmates and Twinflames ~ Non-Fiction

This is another post that I wrote in February, 2015 and it is one of the most popular and widely read posts of this blog.

I have expressed my own understanding of the term "soul mates" and "twin flames" in this post. According to me, I am a soul with a body. I am a spiritual being having a human existence. Whenever I feel a strong connection with someone, I understand that this person is my soul companion, someone who was with me in another lifetime. 

3. Dad, are you afraid of the dark? ~ Fiction

This is a short story that I wrote in April, 2015. 

A blind girl asks her father if he is afraid of darkness. When her father explains her what darkness is, she exclaims that she knows the difference between light and darkness, despite being blind. 

“Darkness is fear. Darkness is anger. Darkness is jealousy. Darkness is hatred. Indeed, darkness cripples us and makes us helpless.

Light is love. Light is kindness. Light is peace. Light is friendship. Light soothes us and gives us assurance.” Mishti said with a peaceful smile.

4. Memories and Stories of my Mother ~ Non Fiction

This is one of the most special posts that is very close to my heart. I wrote it in May, 2015.

This post comprises some of the most beautiful memories that I have with my mother...how she taught me music, introduced me to the world of books and had been my cheerleader throughout. I have also included the two special poems that I have written for her.

5. The lady at the bus stop ~ Fiction

A short story that I wrote in May, 2015. It also later got published in the September issue of Writer's Ezine.

Rajeev meets a mysterious lady, Meera at the bus stop on one rainy and stormy night. She looks at him intently, as if she knows him for years. As Rajeev goes to buy a cup of tea for her from the nearby shop, she leaves the bus stop, keeping a note that makes Rajeev speechless.

6. Dear Kalimpong, I heart you ~ Non Fiction

I wrote this travel post in June, 2015. This is an account of my wonderful summer vacation in Kalimpong, a remote hill station of West Bengal this year.

I fulfilled my wish of Paragliding and had a wonderful time in this town. The best thing is that this is the place that I have chosen for the backdrop of my 3rd novel which I have completed writing this year. (Yet to finalize a publisher, though!)

7. Beauty: You and your gifts ~ Poetry

A poem that I wrote in August 2015 for the Poets United Midweek Motif: Beauty.

I tried to express the beauty in both meeting and separation through this poem.             

                                      "Beauty was a mystifying term

Until you walked into my life;

Amidst the arena of mist and fog

I saw a canopy of ambrosial sunshine."

8. Remembering Tagore on Baishe Shrabon ~ Non Fiction

I wrote this post on the death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore this year.

Rabindranath Tagore is not only my favorite author and poet, but he is also someone whose writings and songs have influenced me since childhood. This post is a small tribute to Tagore for being the huge influence in my life.

9. The Greatest Healer, Time ~ Poetry

I wrote this poem in October, 2015 and it got published later in the December Issue of Writer's Ezine. This post is very special to me because many people told me that they got motivated to keep faith in Time after reading the poem.

"Let the positive energy flow into your heart

Drop the baggage that robs you off life,

You are stronger than your wounds

Your life is much larger than your pain.

Have faith in the greatest healer, Time"

10. Sunshine in December ~ Poetry

This is the last poem that I have written this year. 

When love is there in life, we can see sunshine in December too. No month or day can be so frozen and chilly if we have the warmth of love in our hearts.

"She digs out the box of memories

Wears the cloak of thoughts

Enamoring

Warm

Crimson.

Now, she can see sunshine in December

A thousand sun rays illuminated her snowy heart"

Thanks to all my lovely readers and fellow bloggers for being with me in this year. 

Wish you all a very Happy New Year 2016! 

Stay Blessed! Keep shining!