Summary

The author shares a personal travel experience to Pondicherry, now known as Puducherry, emphasizing the importance of relaxation, cultural immersion, and the joy of living in the present moment, while also recommending three Medium stories that resonated with them.

Abstract

In a heartfelt article, the author recounts a refreshing trip to Pondicherry with a friend, where they enjoyed the French-influenced culture and the serene beauty of Paradise Beach. The narrative includes a spiritual song that captures the essence of their experience, merging with the sea and nature. The author reflects on the value of taking breaks, engaging with new cultures, and stepping out of one's comfort zone to foster wellness and a balanced life. They also highlight the significance of friendships and the impact of positive stories, sharing three curated Medium articles that offer insights into building meaningful relationships, finding happiness, and learning from life's experiences through the metaphor of weeping willows.

Opinions

The author values the restorative power of travel and its ability to provide a fresh perspective on life.
There is an appreciation for the cultural blend of French and Indian influences in Puducherry, suggesting a rich historical context that adds depth to the travel experience.
The author believes in the importance of being fully present and engaged with one's surroundings to truly enjoy and appreciate life's pleasures.
They advocate for the benefits of disconnecting from technology and embracing new experiences as a form of personal detox and stress relief.
The author holds a positive view of friendships and community, emphasizing the joy of connecting with others and finding one's "tribe."
The recommended stories are chosen for their emotional resonance and the valuable life lessons they impart, indicating the author's preference for inspirational and reflective content.

EDITOR” S PICK

Come Walk In The Sea And Enjoy The Moments Of Pleasure

I am the bubble make me the sea

Author's own picture (clicked by my friend Kusam)

Dear family and friends,

A big warm and bright hello to everyone! I went for a lovely 4-day break to Pondicherry with a friend. I was missing on Medium for a whole week with no writing but with a little reading. I had no laptop with me and whenever I got a chance to read, I read one or two articles from my phone.

About Pondicherry, which is now Pudducherry

Pudducherry is strongly influenced by the French. Many people still reside over there.

The Union Territory of Puducherry lies in the southern part of the Indian Peninsula. Formerly Pondicherry In 1674, the municipality of Pondicherry became a French colony of the French colonial empire. It is now called Puducherry and is famous for the French people who have settled here. Their town is called the White Town where we stayed. The territories of French India were completely transferred to the Republic of India de facto on 1 November 1954.

Amongst our days filled with different types of activities, we enjoyed the beaches a lot. We lived close to Rock beach. While walking there in the morning, We met a tourist also there for a morning walk. He suggested that we must visit Paradise Beach for boating and walking in the sea before we returned.

Paradise Beach is a must-go place. With the blue seas, the clear sky, and the wind blowing with the hair across my face, I was transported to another world. I loved the fresh air. It was warm. The sand burned my feet but even then what pleasurable moments were there.

My friend Kusam who went with me is a follower of Paramhansa Yogananda. She taught me the song and we both sang :

I Am the Bubble, Make Me the Sea

“So do Thou my Lord: Thou and I, never apart Wave of the sea, dissolve in the sea! I am the bubble, make me the sea, Make me the sea, oh, make me the sea! Wave of the sea, dissolve in the sea! I am the bubble, make me the sea”. — Paramhansa Yogananda

I walked in the sea, splashing water all over me and she sat in the sand making sandcastles and alternatively dancing in the sea.

The sea was clear and blue and the waves were strong and we were being carried away by the current. Every time we went a little into the sea the guard would whistle and ask us to get back.

As you can see my hair was flying and so were my clothes, I was flying or walking I did not know. I just got swept in the waves. The moments of pleasure.

I was in the present moment, nature was teasing me and I was enjoying myself. The water was pleasantly cold and made my skin tingle. I was exhilarated and danced with happiness and the water was taking me in and throwing me out and I was trying to balance.

The takeaways:

#1. Everyone should take a short break and be in the present moment to relax and enjoy.

#2. Leave your laptops, travel, and merge with the culture of the place that you travel to. You learn so much by switching off for a while.

#3. Do things that you normally do not do. The change does do you a lot of good. It leads you to good health and wellness with a refreshed mind.

#4. A vacation is a great detox in life and moves you from a stressful life to a calm state of mind.

I took out my editor’s pick for last week and went missing after that. I am back again with the Paradise Beach story this time with many more experiences to go but I think I better do this work and leave the rest for next time.

The editor’s pick for this week (2nd April-April 8, 2022)

I have picked 3 stories that I read this week on Coffee Times to share with you that touched me and I am sure you will enjoy them as well.

Gregory Russell Benedikt wrote a beautiful post about friendships. He describes his introduction to Vincent Van Patten and the continuation of their friendship. He wrote this story to express his love, respect, and admiration, for his friend Vinny who moved to Lisbon. He hopes that everyone is lucky to find their tribe of people. I loved the story. I am sure you will too.

1. Find Friends That You Can Build Dreams With

Find Friends That You Can Build Dreams With

And then tell them you love them, repeatedly

medium.com

DR Rawson - The Possibilist writes that a smile costs you nothing yet it lights up your face and makes you happy. He had so many responsibilities as a kid but he learns from his employer how to smile and be happy. Read on his story.

2. What Makes You Happy

What Makes You Happy

Quick, list five things (that aren’t food).

medium.com

Josephine Crispin wrote a beautiful story about how Weeping Willows affected her. She was always fascinated probably because of the name. On one occasion it whispered goodbye to her and she wondered why she received this whisper. She did not like it. Later her perception changed. Let us see why? Also, she learned a life lesson about people too. Read to find out what kind of lesson was this.

3. Lessons In Life Seen From Weeping Willows

Lessons In Life Seen From Weeping Willows

How we perceive people and circumstances— even trees — change over a lifetime of lessons and experiences

medium.com

Last thoughts

Hope you enjoy vacations too. Moving out of Covid -19 storm in our lives, we are all feeling more relaxed and have time to look into fun places. Enjoy your work and relax too! Be refreshed and come back to work. This is life. Enjoy the present moment bringing in good health and wellness in your life.

Thanking my team members Winston, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Yana Bostongirl, Sharing Randomly, Marrisa W. Ashley Vincent Van Patten