Lesson learned: I am able to show up till Day 4 and record my slow chanting. I am choosing to work on embracing resistance and the need to get the perfect tune. I am giving myself permission to stay on track to learn. I am allowing "Reassurance" from my Higher Self to get better. Thank you God and thank you all for listening and encouraging.

Good morning everyone!

Thank you for listening to Pasuram 3 of Tiruppavai. Today I was blessed to watch the online Live telecast of Dhanur month morning rituals ( Chanting Venkateswara suprabhatham, Tiruvembavai and Tiruppavai) in Bridgewater temple, NJ YouTube channel and attend in person to watch the rituals at Shiva Vishnu Saidattapeetam temple, NJ

Lessons Learned:

Sometimes we think we want a certain thing or attend a certain event and set an intention to do it. I was quite happy to watch the Dhanur month rituals online. I also learn slow chanting of one Pasuram a day and record it. 

Our volunteer buddies (VB) decided to make it to the temple today early in the morning. A part of me was not quite ready to drive in the dark, but at the same time felt the desire to visit the temple early in the morning. Another part of me was shy and felt shameful to ask for a favor from a friend for a ride, as I can drive ( I guess it is also ego or I am overthinking). 

I did ask and got a very quick "Yes" from one of my VB1. I was fueled with enthusiasm and got ready, when my VB1 called to express her inability due to unforeseen circumstances. Well, I was watching online live telecast and texted yet another VB2. Then I just surrendered to God or Higher Power or Infinite Intelligence as you may say. Within few minutes VB2 called and said, I will see you in few minutes.

Then my picture in the temple with Andal says it all to validate how God shows the way when we truly desire. Thank you God, VB1, VB2 and every one!

Some of the things that I didn't do. I learnt ( and I am still learning) these by consciously and consistently working on my thoughts, feelings and actions and from others:

I did not get upset when VB1 couldn't come

I did not keep attachment to visit the temple.

I did not get too bogged down or rushed to be there before the start. I gave myself permission to drive once there was some light and feel comfortable.

I did not stop watching and sharing the glimpse of my online virtual ritual watching journey.

I did not bother VB2 by sending repeated texts.

I am sharing these "Did not do list", not to brag, but to enlighten that for certain situations when we let go and surrender, we allow others or events or things to manifest. 

Thank you and have a great day!

Thank you all for your encouragement and praise. This helps me to keep going.

Yesterday after publishing my Podcast Episode, I wanted to share my experience with writers and readers in Medium.com

Here is the article for you to read

 https://link.medium.com/SfvHXxRAPvb

I invite you to listen to my slow chanting of Pasuram 2 here

Lessons learned:

I am not a trained singer and hence I don't know anything about ragas and voice modulation etc. However I am fueled by devotion to God or Higher Power or Infinite Intelligence, as you may call.

While learning the Pasuram 2, I had the need to pronounce the Tamil words clearly, hence the stutter. I said that's OK. Just shared my imperfect recording. Now I am filled with "Completion energy". With this energy I am ready to learn and record Pasuram 3

Thank you for being a part of my " Learning Slow chanting and recording 1 Pasuram a day" journey

Thiruppavai is chanted during Dhanur masam or month/margazhi month. 

"Worship of Lord Vishnu during the morning hours in Dhanurmasam is considered highly auspicious. Vishnu Sahasranama is chanted during the period. Other important mantras chanted are those dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi."

You can learn more here:

https://www.hindu-blog.com/2009/12/importance-of-dhanurmasa-holiness-of.html

I personally believe in worshiping during early morning hours in this month.

The question I ask myself every year is " How can I be self motivated to get up early in the morning?"

A couple of years back the answer was

"Lalitha just make one new Rangoli or kolam a day and listen to the auspicious tiruppavai and Tiruvembavai chanting."

I did that. It truly raised my self esteem and helped me with a consistent flow of "feel good hormones" like Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphins and Oxytocin, you name it ( LOL). Here is an article for you to read

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/feel-good-hormones-how-they-affect-your-mind-mood-and-body#:~:text=What%20are%20the%20four%20feel,your%20mood%20in%20the%20process.

I could feel that I am contributing to my overall well-being, peace and prosperity.

Last year when I asked the same question, the answer was

"Lalitha, you just take your listeners and readers on a Virtual tour to the temple while you are watching the rituals associated with chanting Tiruppavai in the morning . That is a good deed and would be a  HIME ( High Impact Minimal Effort) activity. It will impact lives world-wide.

This year I asked the same question

The answer is 

"Lalitha, learn one pasuram a day, boldly record a slow chanting of your voice and just let it go."

I honored that and I just googled

"Slow chanting of Tiruppavai"

I got several links. I chose a video with  Tamil script that struck the chords of my inspiration to learn on the spot. No judging and no paralysis by analysis.

Here is the final product. Pasuram 1 of Tiruppavai. 

Thank you for listening and being a part of my 30 Day Tiruppavai Pasurams learning journey.

In this Episode Lalitha

Describes her two small unexpected achievements.

Then shares the following Life Lesson Learned:

"If the simple act of conscious reading and writing can help me nurture my soul and live a meaningful life, why not keep the momentum going?"

Thank you for reading and listening

Link to the article

 https://link.medium.com/J1zj0WDkHvb

In this short Episode Lalitha

Describes her desire to publish for the first time in"The Shortform" publication that has strict requirements of under 150 words.

She navigates through her narrative while writing and takes you through her journey to completion of the article.

Thank you for listening and reading

Link to the article

 https://link.medium.com/ZXMggbEZDvb

In this Episode Lalitha

Encourages her audience to find their top 5 Character Strengths by taking their free survey at

https://www.viacharacter.org/

In this audio she explains how she used her following top and middle strengths when she was stuck with writer's Block

Gratitude

Self-regulation

Curiosity

Hope

Enjoy!

Thank you for reading and listening.

Link to the article in medium

https://link.medium.com/XnRoCpfpCvb

In this Episode Lalitha reveals the following key point this episode:

"First I realized that I don’t have to be a painter or an artist to consider myself a creative person. I became conscious of the fact that creativity is flowing through me when I am choosing my emotional responses to my parents and their old patterns to my present job, my bank account, my relationships with friends, and my very attitudes about myself. This in itself was a huge change in perspective and propelled me to imagine good things to happen to me and the world in general."

She invites her audience to

To share their thoughts and feelings that emerged when they read the above affirmation loudly in front of the mirror.

Thank you for reading and listening.

Link to the article in medium.com

 https://link.medium.com/4wdWbEbJvvb

In this Episode Lalitha

Helps her audience understand "Individuality" from a different perspective.

Using Louis Hay's affirmation, she summarizes with the following 

Key Message:

"I am motivated to serve with my Unique Brilliance by internalizing the message from the above book by Louise L Hay “My soul cannot be hurt or destroyed. It can only be enriched by whatever the life experiences are. There is so much more to life than I can comprehend. I shall never know all the answers. But the more I allow myself to understand how life works, the more of the power and force I have available to use.”

Thank you for reading and listening.

Link to the article in Midform, a publication in medium.com

 https://link.medium.com/FQ4jvK2q3ub

In this Episode Lalitha 

Explains how by using affirmation as a tool, she was able to change her mindset and feel valuable.

Here is the summary in her own words

"I started considering my Higher Self as an employer, not the Employer in my W2 form.

I felt more in synchronicity with myself as an employee with an employer or as a Self Employed Professional. Instead of viewing changes in work or fighting traffic as a hassle, I started appreciating life in general and became thankful for having a job. This in itself shifted my energy from scarcity and survival and “have to” work mode TO being in a state of abundance, availability of opportunities, and “I am committed to doing my best” mode."

She invites her readers and listeners to use the tool.

Thank you for reading and listening

Link to the article in medium

 https://link.medium.com/kKsWnQMzYub