Not just another year!

Not just another year!

Ahad 0
30Dec
Screenshot_20221206-163927
A year of surprises, highlights, lessons learned & a handful of new projects that slipped away..
Overall a tough year – tougher than a few gone by.. The heartbreaking news about my niece & then to gain strength from her, to see her live full each day with syringes & rays..
The clock struck 59!..A beautiful day spent with the family & two days at Hill Fort , Kesoroli as my gift.. The bells chimed from within.. I felt alive walking  in the fields, chasing goats, interacting with the locals  & about a hundred captures of the walls, open skies and structures..
I held to time, giving myself another chance –  just one more time!..
Three meetings in twelve months – I knew where my thoughts were going.. I knew what I had in my heart.. No matter how much I battled not to mention, but it only ended erupting like a volcano of words..
My Gratitude list continues to grow year after year.. May I never stop to learn.. I have come a long way.. Nothing in my hands would be negotiable.. Not anymore!..
ahad is my happy place – where I create, curate with a lot of love, care and a conscious mindset – one drop at a time & that is enough for me.. I look forward to a year of less stress, much more love than ever & to always stay crazy in my gypsy heart..
Hooked on to lyrics as life speeds by : ‘tum kabhi jo aao toh, saath milkay baithenge.. kya se kya huye hain hum, ye tumhe bataana hai..’
Bindu
December 2022.
Pause. Breathe. Reflect.

Pause. Breathe. Reflect.

Ahad 0
16Aug
Life hasnt come to a pause, only the routine has.. The wide room sees her nestled cozy in a blanket, the curtains are drawn..
Theres silence. Silence of a friendship that had built over the years. The echoes of midnight calls  – the cries of insecurity, visiting a cemetery quietly and offering flowers to a friend who was gone..
Theres silence. Silence of family that you spent a life time with..  The echoes of the gurgling sounds,  the squeaky shoes in which you learn to walk, the degrees that you wear on your shirt that make you tall..
Theres silence. Silence of love .. The love thats more seductive than the flowers & diamonds.. The work that gives you  strength & space to connect..
 She continues to breathe.. And perhaps she is the most herself in these paused moments.. Because she reflects..
Retreat

Retreat

Ahad 0
18Dec
Retreat
…………as I bid adieu to 2021
Starting each day with ‘what can be served today?’ even if it meant a simple toast & egg for breakfast each morning, in addition to the morning chores of a home,  helping Rajiv recoupe faster than normal – post his surgery, to taking a stock check at work, remembering the gentle souls who couldnt be given a proper farewell, the rushed cremations & how the little virus has been so deadly..
The 2 weeks quarantine that extended, oxygen levels created panic,  a bowl of tablets on my bedside,  unsettling sight of the smoke through the glass windows,  *silently* taking the blame of rash selfish decisions from my family – the emotional & mental turmoil it caused me and everything that went unnoticed alongside, the birthday that didnt matter.. Disconnected from the world – yet too close technically..
Gulzar so rightly quotes ‘ yeh zindagi hai janaab, Ma nahi, jo hamesha pyaar degi’..
Let me hit the pause tab here!
There’s plenty on my plate to be grateful for – reconnecting with an old friend from the years, going nostalgic,  ahad- the place where everything is love at first sight, a studio where friends unwind, the space that gave me the creativity &  freedom to explore, to have been able to earn & share at my will, picking up brushes after 16 years to paint a feeling,  abundance that flowed, seing Yuvraan turn seven, a happy family from whom I learn each day  & the continued transformation within myself..
 I hold my faith and write my wish list. I want to always remain grounded – to keep up the smile behind the facemask.. Continue to respect, *learn to reset – renew priorities now, & value my time henceforward*..
I wish to remember how the present quickly changes to past & how important it is to be ‘present’ every moment..
I look forward to 12 new months,  to keep alive the lyrics :  ”jo garhi ji lengein, wohi reh jaani hai.. mein na bhooloongi” that always echo in my gypsy heart, 365 chances that I shall dare to take & me time!
Life – I am ready. Wonder how many breaths do you have for me?!..
Bindu
December 2021
14 Years..

14 Years..

Ahad 0
04Aug
…….. they say, time heals. Nothing has changed.. The pain at times is bone-deep.. Year after year, I have felt vulnerable, deprived, and weak .. There are times when my thoughts about souls, love, loss & life get all jumbled up..
As my fifties roll by, I realize that there’s a home that exists in my heart.. I wish to sink in deep – never to return.. My emotions stir up like a liquid in the blender at a high speed.. I feel stronger today..
 -Bindu
4th August 2021
Beautiful Gestures!

Beautiful Gestures!

Ahad 0
27May

Thank you for giving ahad an opportunity to write ‘Thank You’ notes on your behalf. I very humbly take pride in the joy you all give me, time & again to send your heartbeats to your loved ones. These are being sent to those who helped others during their tough times, battling with Covid.

Thank you for choosing ahad.

Warm wishes, Bindu.

Diagnosed Covid Positive

Diagnosed Covid Positive

Ahad 0
30Apr
14 days in bed – doing absolutely nothing. I decided the very first day itself that I shall give myself time to pause, self reflect, run through my thoughts and see if I was where I actually wanted to be in life.. *If I were to be honest, I wasn’t*
I have hidden dreams & desires buried in my heart. I wondered how in 57 years I could create my world in which I had no time for my own leisure. How come in all these years I could never sit for self  reflection to change my path. I kept walking dead doing things that were expected out of me and that I was raised to do whether I liked doing half of them or not. I did them not because I wanted to, but because it was expected out of me.
There’s so much that needs change in me. I am aware of every bit of this. And I ask myself this question ” Can I create a balanced existence for myself?”..
There’s peace in my heart because there’s awareness.  There’s silence in which I hear. I long to laugh wild. I want to take a giant leap. I don’t fear challenges.
It’s Possible. All I need is Courage.
– Bindu
Under Eye Care

Under Eye Care

Ahad 0
20Jan
Irregular Sleep. Changing LifeStyles. Stress-related to work. Work from home. A lot of munching. And so much more..
There could be several more reasons that could cause dark circles, bags under the eyes, and the under-eye area that doesn’t give the face a fresh look.
ahad’s under eye cream has helped many.

Here’s Hina showing you the correct way to use the *under eye cream* for the benefit of our clients.

Hina is an entrepreneur. She has her studio by the name *Abiza* where she designs outfits. You can reach out to her on Insta and FB.

Note to Self

Note to Self

Ahad 0
02Jan
A note to self that I share.
I feel blessed in my quiet moments.
People who held my hand through a tough year,
People who left me – gave me my space,
I send my love to each.
Grateful that the workings of my mind are making to make sense and I see glimmers in my direction.
My family gave me reasons to smile, cry & laugh, their time, a few special moments that touched my heart.
My heart is happily full with hugs, little chit chats, the love I get from Yuvraan, my grandson.
 I ask for HIS grace to be with me.
&
It’s time to trust the NEW BEGINNINGS.
Happiness

Happiness

Ahad 0
22Dec

Happiness is seeing the ‘Client of the Month’ shop bags full at ahad.

Happiness is seeing the smiles when children get gifts from secret Santa.

Happiness is chit chat over chai with clients turned to friends.

Happiness is sunshine at ahad, the soap boutique.

Happiness is seeing Yuvraan (my grandson) use his time creatively.

Happiness is a day well spent with son & Grandson.

Happiness is when the Xmas tree is ready.

Thank You Dilse

Thank You Dilse

Ahad 0
22Dec
Every few days, there’s something that makes me stop and appreciate all the simple and beautiful things in my life.
Thank you dilse, for choosing ahad to be your secret Santa. I found joy in writing every note, every emotion,  your feelings to your loved ones. While I continue to write, pack and dispatch the gift boxes, I want to express my gratitude to you.
Here are some pictures of our ‘making spirits bright’…