2019 has been a year of revelations for me. It has helped me to realize some hard facts and taught me some lessons for a lifetime. Some episodes were painful and even scary but then like the others they too passed.

1. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time- I took things at face value when I met a particular person. This person was very polite, spoke very well but her actions did not complement her words. I did not pay attention to the actions. The words were laced with saccharine. I realized that later when she showed her true colours.

2. Stop expecting from anyone– We often hope that we will find people who will help us, understand us and be with us. However, people are generally so involved in their own struggles that no one has time for anyone. As the world, we are like islands separated by the oceans of our own stories. So, don’t expect people to understand you because they are busy figuring out their own lives.

3. Pray all the time, for everyone- We cannot control anything! We think we can control our lives but nothing is further than the truth. Miracles happen all the time but all those miracles are a result of all those small whispered prayers. Pray for everyone, even for people you don’t like because they are the ones who’ve taught you the most important lessons of your life.

4. Mind over matter– After about 15 years, I climbed a mountain this year. It was initially very tough since I am not that fit or young anymore. But I realized that I could not give up halfway because my daughter had to understand that you must finish whatever you start. It was a slow but steady climb full of leeches, storms and rain. But in the end, all that mattered was the view from the top of the mountain.

5. Believe in your ideas – After a lot of procrastination, I published a book this year. The book Faith-The Mystery of the Missing Girl has been appreciated by people all over India. When I was writing this book, I had a lot of doubts about what would people say because most of the book has been inspired from the events of my life. But then, people who read it, liked it. This taught me to believe in those little ideas and work on them.

6. The unseen world rules the seen world – We think we know the world but things change overnight. This world is ruled by thoughts, emotions and forces of energy which are beyond the comprehension of the human mind. Help comes from the least-expected quarters, people turn up at the most unlikely of places and plans fail yet people succeed. There are unseen powers at work and nothing is what it seems.

Life is an adventure, probably a game of Jumanji (only less jungle and funny animals- for some of us at least) where we face the challenges that are presented to us without any prior preparation. Yet, it is fun and exciting too. So, take life as it comes and be thankful for all the small and big blessings that come your way.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!