A YIndian, Yorkshire by birth and Indian by marriage. Originally from the UK, I've now lived in Mysore, South India for over ten years with my beautiful wife Manjula. MeandMycycle is about the ups, downs and ups of our life in Mysore and our creations: Mysore Bed and Breakfast and MyCycle Tours.
There are signs everywhere of the man-made environmental damage resulting from not anticipating the consequences, concentrating on short term gains and our lack of care.
Even seas go missing. Due to all the above combined with local and global pressures.
All around the world, including in our backyard in Karnataka with the Kaveri river, there’s conflicts about water being taken from rivers and little being left for the communities further down.
My last trip to the U.K., unexpectedly extended, provided another opportunity to visit previous guests who’ve now become part of our extended family.
Walls of the Roman city. And again Entrance to the barrow Amphitheatre
It was great to see Stephen, Ruth and Jony. Thanks for putting up with this old man.
I’m still a flower giver. Ruth with a memory of Manjula, Stephen reading Ruth’s poetry.Carefully testing myself before travelling to visit friends. Jony
It helps confirm time is limited. It raises questions of how one has used the time available and the new challenge is to live each moment fully (if we haven’t been already).
For some it might be fulfilling wishes, completing the bucket list while for others it’s reflection and for all of us, more learning.
For the wisest and where they see its possibility it’s about joy, contentment and happiness.
Being kind, creating gentle ripples.
Leaving positive impact
It’s about living life to the full, being attentive and with as much presence as we can muster.
I realise I’ve entered this last leg, as is often the case with me, things get thrown up in the air and I work out what’s feasible, desirable for the next version/iteration.
I’ve been careful not to rush it as the trauma of losing MAnjula has jumbled up my brain cells and bent the connections to create more than the usual fuzz of uncertainty.
For the next two years I plan to continue commemorating MAnjula but I know she would want me to find ways to be happy and that will involve reconnecting and being kind. It will not necessarily be like before and I hope it’s innovative. Who knows? I’ll adapt and find out what works in this new and final stage.
This was written at the end of 2021 and complemented previous postings including the one about ‘opening up my heart.’ Bit of a coincidence there. 🤭
Two significant changes have recently taken place to challenge me further and throw some light on opportunities to help fill space around my grief, recognising it will always be with me and hopefully diminish the impact of the grieving.
The journey through the airports and flight went smoothly as fast as pre-pandemic. I had test results and certificate proving I’d had my vaccinations. No one checked anything.
Day two test negative so all ok Celebrating Halloween.
Being entertained by and entertaining my granddaughter Poppy. She’s eight and I’ve missed seeing her for two years! All of us share that pandemic experience.
What’s the game?
Exploring Hebden Bridge with Liz, the mum of my boys, big ex or as Manjula would say: wife number one. We remain close and dear friends of over thirty years.
I have swam in it, swallowed it, fought it, opened my arms to it, shrivelled from it, tolerated it, hated it,.. It’s hit me like a personal tsunami, been wishy washy, sticky beyond treacle, invaded my brain to make it fuzzy and cracked open my tentative comfort zones. I know it’s a lifelong friend I have to accept it. It’s equal with and probably surpasses the combined effect of all the worse times in my life and for the first time uncovered real solid regrets.
It’s a gravy train that doesn’t bring benefits or maybe it does.
My heart was broken by losing Manjula, I covered it up and held it close but now I’m beginning to feel able to open my heart again. So there are positives to discover and learning to reveal.
I now love Manjula even more and in ways that I couldn’t imagine. I’m tentatively beginning to be kind to myself.
Me and MYCycle 