August: Month in Review | #SoulfulSunday

August.

One of the most challenging months this year. Incidentally, one of the most exciting ones too!

It was a mix of many things—travel and fun, meetups and goodbyes, challenges and health issues, excruciating pain, extended periods of agony and subsequent relief but mostly, some hard-earned wisdom and learning from whatever one endured—it was beyond what I’d have ever anticipated or expected.

Undoubtedly, one of our best moments was seeing our teen join college with a full scholarship, at a new age university, nestled between the verdant hills of the Sahyadris, on the outskirts of Pune. While we were delighted for him, it was also heartbreaking for us to say our goodbyes when the time came (I struggled more as a mom, obviously!) but we knew he was in the right place, having enrolled for the kind of programme that he had always been interested in. He settled in fast and within a couple of days, had already made new friends.

Since we were going to be staying in Pune for a couple of days, we took the opportunity to meet some of our friends there, especially since we were visiting the city after a long time. It was wonderful catching up and we all had a great time. I also connected with a blogger friend of mine, Tulika—whose amazing writing, I have always been a huge admirer of. It was nothing short of amazing, meeting each other face to face and chatting about our writing life, our motherhood journeys and everything in between, over coffee! I recall tons of parenting notes being exchanged and wonder how time flew by just like that!!

The night we returned to Bangalore, I fell sick. Fever, migraine and the works!

Initially I was diagnosed with Dengue. What followed later, were two weeks of excruciating pain, that had almost wrung the life out of me!! Unfortunately, or rather, fortunately, as it turned out to be, traditional allopathy medicines failed to bring any relief. Thanks to a friend of the husband, help came in the form of an acupuncture treatment that eventually gave me a second lease of life—something that I shall be truly and eternally grateful for! My doctor worked out a treatment plan and we started on it almost immediately. The intensity of my pain came down in a matter of days and I couldn’t have been more grateful to see myself ease back into normalcy again.

For someone who has always been a firm believer of holistic healing, this healing experience only strengthened my belief that natural alternatives are the best way forward if we are aiming to treat the root cause of our ailments. The pill-popping approach and the over-dependence on drugs only suppresses the symptoms temporarily but the actual cause of the illness always remains.

When I look back, I think this episode came as a reminder, for me to make self-care a priority —and never ever relegate it to the bottom of other essential things. It’s not as easy as it sounds, when you have others to take care of, especially the elderly moms who have their own sets of never-ending health issues and challenges from time to time.

Suffice to say that lessons were learnt, and learnt the hard way!

As September arrived, I finally found that I was slowly gaining some strength to resume my morning routine, even if it meant taking baby steps everyday. Now, back to journaling, a short morning walk and my daily meditation, my focus is essentially on healing myself and not rush into anything. Not even for the things that I usually love to do. Rest is a must. I’m breathing deeply. Living on the slow lane. And being grateful for coming out at the other end, free from pain.

I think I shall ease back into my writing schedule once I feel I’m ready. Right now, seeking the sliver of hope everywhere, through the setbacks that continue to be a part of life. Banking on the many positives is keeping me going, even though things are still chaotic in some ways,

Every time the challenges come, I keep reminding myself —this too shall pass.

And through all this, my phone gallery continues to bring me the highlights from August (see pic). It’s been a difficult month no doubt, but all I can say is, I’m glad it’s behind us and we’ve all stepped into a new one, full of hope and possibilities. Praying that September goes easy on everyone!

How was August for you? What were the highlights of the month? Would love to know more so do please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Sending loads of positive vibes and strength to everyone, especially if you’re also going through challenging times. Hang in there and stay hopeful.

Love and sunshine to you all,

See you soon.

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Written as part of our #SoulfulSunday free writing exercise, along with my friends Vinitha and Shilpa.