Flight of a little bird: December 2020

"This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice. meet them at the door laughing and invite them in. Be grateful for whatever comes. because each has been sent as a guide from beyond."    ~ Rumi

My year 2020 stared with this beautiful thought and as the year progressed, it became more and more relevant not just for me but for the whole world. For me personally 2020 was like a roller coaster ride. There were days when everything seemed lost and there were days when I felt on top of the world. There were all kinds of emotions and feelings at different times of this year. Peace, fulfilment, happiness, frustration, anger, sadness I experienced it all, and as Rumi said I took it as a guide and learnt something from each. I surely am a better and a matured person today. Thanks to 2020!

THE COVID STORY

March started with the sad news of COVID spreading world over. And in mid March lockdown was announced in India. The life came to a stand still.

This gave us an opportunity to slow down and be with our families. Our homes and gardens saw more of us. We enjoyed bluer skies, empty roads, silent atmosphere and purer air.

And we gradually started spending more time doing what really matters. Cooking, painting and gardening took major part of our time. Online family get togethers became a regular. For me personally, paintings became a major stress buster.

But this all seemed good for some time then frustration started to take over. People lost their jobs, some lost their loved ones. Most of us were pressed for resources. May was the Month of Confusion and chaos.

By June & July, got a little settled in the new lifestyle. We started brainstorming and changed strategies in work. At HOI, we introduced new concepts like workation and added more homestays to our network. The concept got recognized and was covered by many publications like Times of India, Financial Times, The Better India and Dainik Bhaskar.

RESTARTED TRAVELLING

Post June, I restarted travelling and took many short road trips around Delhi to clear the confusions and inspire people to start traveling safely with confidence. Rather than avoiding to travel I did cautious and careful travel. Took a trip to Lotwara in July, Dwarahat, Mirai and Mangoli in August, Pushkar in Sept, Kotabagh in Oct and Bikaner and Corbett in Nov. Stayed at Homestays all through.

2020 - THE YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENTS

The year has taken a lot from us, but to me it has also given a lot. If I say 2020 has been an year of achievements for me, that would not be an exaggeration. Some of my personal and professional gains during 2020 include:

Receiving 'NATIONAL WOMEN EXCELLENCE AWARD - 2020' organized by Indo European Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (IECSME) for empowering rural women through developing homestays. I shared the stage with personalities like Padma Shree Phoolbasan Yadav.