“My mind isn’t a pancake. I refuse to let you have it for breakfast.”

Bipsha gave Abney a straight, glassy glance slithering through his soul. He knew he crossed her limit, this time. But just like any other guy, he did not have a clue to what he had done this time.

“Sorry ah.. I really am”. He gasped. Then quickly got up from his half seated chair. As he was about to turn the other way, Bipsha reached for his bag. He almost fell and had to stop. He gathered some courage to look back at her. Her rounded face was looking side ways, eyes fixed at the outside pocket of his bag where he normally keeps his diary. He gulped a few times before saying it out loud. ‘My diary … I think I left it in my car’.

‘Wishful thinking, much!’

Bipsha flung it right in his face. ‘Here. Have it!’

He grabbed the diary from her hand. And raced out of the coffee shop. She saw him move as fast as a toad. Almost leaping off the chairs, one after the other. And puff! He was gone!

In his hurriedness, he had forgotten to look inside the diary; the missing pages. Which she had cleverly torn off before handing him his journal. He’s been secretly writing about her life, her past, her mistakes, odd encounters, family feud, everything! Also devouring on the possibility of probably making his writing debut his biggest achievement!

She knew him as a guy next door; working long hours in a Super-mart trying to make his ends meet while completing his Masters in Psychology. Some of it was true. However, the mistrust was something she had promised herself never to forgive in a man. Bipsha had learnt these lessons the hard way and was sticking by the rules, this time.

Bipsha did a silent cry. It was a mix of sadness and relief, at the same time. In the background, music played Blondie’s Heart of Glass that touched her and the song mellowed her spirit.

“ Once I had a love and it was a gas

Soon turned out had a heart of glass

Seemed like the real thing, only to find

Much o' mistrust, love's gone behind..”

She wiped her tears, slowly and then smiled slightly at the sheer thought - she had turned her prince back into a frog.

My answer is simple.

I like connecting with you because you’re a being of reasons of being.

You all are on a deeply personal journey of understanding what gives your everyday routine worth, joy and a good enough reason to wake up in the morning.

Finding your reason of being does not have to be a big milestone, a grand occasion or a high achievement; it can be as simple as going on long walks, spending time in nature, helping a neighbor, getting good at your hobby or mastering a craft. For many, it evolves as your circumstances and passions change.

When I say I want to read what you’re writing, I do not also want you to feel you’re imposing it on me. I want you to know it is undertaken willingly and it rewards me my spontaneity.

You’re lighting candles from your soul spark. 💖

It shows in my engaging with you through my personal comments, which might show my limited understanding on the matter. But, hey, who’s complaining.. right?! :)

I love finding the rare beauty in your everyday life that connects you subtly to what you love; your passion, showing it in what you are good at; your writing, connecting it with what might the world needs, right now; your mission and sometimes to what you can be paid for; your profession.

The sheer joy I get from reading about people pursuing their passions, finding a purpose (which usually is larger than life) and fulfilling their dreams is an amazing feeling!

I want to thank each one of you for bringing me that joy!

If, after reading, this has given you a strength of purpose to continue more writing and sharing your stories with me, I want you to let me know!

That is my ikigai.🫶🏼

Tell Me Yours 💞

[Photo taken by me on my holiday - South Portugal]

———————————————-

** According to Japanese psychologist Katsuya Inoue, ikigaiis a concept that consists of two aspects: "sources or objects that bring value or meaning to life" and "a feeling that one's life has value or meaning because of the existence of its source or object".

I see us drift away.

I feel it in my bones.

As I sing away the blues..

You hear it in my songs 🎶

You know you own me,

Take me, baby….

I am yours.

This pain is a killer

My heart's breaking in four.

Bring me some painkillers

Or bring me some snow.

I want to freeze up

some memories

To ease

my miseries.

Before it's too late, for sure.

I picked up a guitar,

Never played before.

Tears are falling hard, baby..

As you walk out of the door.

I am writing you a love song

Don't turn your back to me..

Baby, come back to me,

I am calling you home. 🎶

I'd write a hundred songs

Walk a thousand miles.

If it'd make a difference, baby..

From each heartache -

That breathes your name,

I'd gather a million smiles.

They say,

Life is a number's game.

All I know is, it comes down to

Only one number in the end.

You are my Number One, baby

Why wait till the end?

Need time to fix

some loose strings

You've known, very well

when to pull one, baby

When are you gonna stop

Doing your own thing, baby?

Go carry on...

Leaving me standing,

All alone,

Writing you a love song

Calling you home.🎶

I know, one day

You will come back to me

Till then

Forever, I will be

As you wish

Singing away the blues 🎶

Writing love songs,

Calling you home. ❤

Envelops and locks you

In its chambers of darkness,

Break away from the chains

And rush…

Rush to the Moon.

You’re exposed

Now, tell her

all your secrets

And talk….

Talk to the Moon.

Don’t let your most beautiful thoughts

Be dampened by your inner fray

Speak!

Be present and speak..

In the presence of the Moon.

Let its sweet serene Moonlight

Linger on the pure surface

of your soul,

Be still!

Let it merge

Deep inside your heart,

How you feel your miseries

Dissolving into

The liquid mirror….

Mirror of the Moon.

You will hear

The whispers

In the air

Songs you long to hear

Let the shadows of fear

Disappear

In the pure light….

Light of the Moon.

Your Moon has come home

Your Moon has come home

Tis next to you.

You are no longer

A stranger…

A stranger to the Moon.

The night is at it’s best

Minds and hearts are at rest,

Body is soul’s companion

Holding hands,

In sweet embrace

All are dancing face to face

It’s the most beautiful

Promenade....

Prom of the Moon!

So far I’ve had a fantastic experience with my words flowing and reaching out to others in many different ways while I’m fully immersed and satiated with amazing content here and equally wonderful writers who are making all this possible. It also made it possible for me to acquire this much desired target as they say that your first 100 subscribers are the hardest to get.

I am leaving seven noteworthy pointers in a manner of stepping stones for you. Pointers you might like to consider, when you’re newly starting out on your Substack journey.

Thank me later :) here they are:

1. Perspective Is Everything

If you’ve read my few articles, 3 to be precise, you’d know by now that for me perspective is everything.

The first thing I said to myself, staring at the credentials of so many brilliant writers on Substack, ‘Starting from Zero subscribers can only be a good thing!’ I thought, in all fairness, that there is no stigma of expectation attached, really. What is there to lose. And I was so right!

See how that worked for me, it surely can work for you, too! Remember, positive outcomes are directly related to one’s positive attitude. A positive mindset scientifically rewires your brain, significantly lowers stress, and builds resilience to handle hardships. It is the very thing needed to help you bounce back up after a fall. Trust me, starting on Substack journey, you might face a few!

2. Do More Of What Makes You Happy

I wrote my first piece “Power of Perspective”. Reflecting on a day gone by, which literally took me 6 minutes to write. However, in those 6 minutes all I did was speak my mind. I was totally smiling all the way through. It also made me realise that picking up a pen and actually writing without thinking much, was actually quite fun!

Find out what you enjoy most reading or writing about, and see what works for you.

3. No Niche Needed

I saw someone comment about substack, the other day. They said:

“Literally you can come up with any piece of writing and share it! Any anecdote, memoir, a personal opinion, anything!”

I think it’s so true!

Go with the flow. Spontaneity is very attractive to readers on substack. They will remember the conversations they had with you. As these aren’t forced gestures at all, rather meaningful connections with them, mainly because of your shared interests.

Also, it helps you to focus on your own work. As originality has no competition. Focus accelerates growth. It’s a win-win !

4. Go Fast Pace

If you want to achieve your first 100 subscribers, especially starting from zero, my best advice would be to treat it as you would treat being on a 100 metres race. (If you’re an athlete or enjoy sports days, you know what I mean). It should not take you too long to know that as a beginner if you want to smoothly sail through the waves of ambiguities which are likely to hit you as soon you start your sail, the only way is to stay, somewhat, stubbornly persistent. Let your survival instincts be on full alert. You need that adrenaline rush!  Showing up not because you want to but because you must. Don’t be shy and don’t give up!

5. Attention Begets Attention

Attention is the most indispensable asset to growth. Whatever you attend to most, is the thing which will have the most growth. To get attention from others you must give attention. This is the only place where you’ll find that ‘attention seeking’ isn’t a bad thing, after all :)

Go exploring  in your journey and if you come across something delightful connect with them; re-stack, comment, reply .. all this will help you in catching a vibe, knowing a trend to engage with, or even simply giving a sub for a sub is all cool here. As the famous saying goes,

If you want a good friend, then be one!

6. Be Persistent In Your Efforts

I don’t really have to tell you this as it is a universal truth but I cannot exaggerate it enough, that consistency brings benefit. Just keep at it, whatever you’re doing, this practice will not only make you good at it, but also, will pave a path which you would enjoy treading on eating its sweet fruits, for many more days to come.

7. Believe In Yourself

Lastly but most importantly, I want to say that the only way to achieve anything substantial is to believe in yourself. The whole point of my laying these stepping stones in your way is to tell you that I totally believe in each one of you. Now all that is left for you is to show that you do, too!

But the good thing is i'm definitely on time, for this one :)

This thought put a smile on my face and it dissolved the huffing and puffing, like a soda bubble, off my face.

It arrived, yay! I put my foot inside it as I’m getting on a podium. Perhaps, not the 1st one but, definitely, I came second.

Trains go on their tracks like an obedient soldier,

“Choo, choo…

Huff, two, three,

Huff, two, three”.

One goes, the other one takes it place. There’s always plenty.