another new beginning
moving on without remorse, favorite books of 2022, soul-warming nature, joy without smugness, everyday courage, and Dear Life.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for joining me. I hope you have had a great week.
As even this year comes to an end, we gather our learnings, think about what we have done, and how beautiful (or difficult) was it all.
For me, this year, too, passed quickly, month after month, leading up to this last day. In 2022, I traveled slowly, not moving as many times, living in one space for a month, at least. There was one guesthouse in coastal Tamil Nadu, in South India, in which I was for six months. The time was like that.
The place was tucked in green, I could take long walks in the forest without being discovered for hours, a library was close by, the guesthouse was mostly quiet, classical dance, music, and theatre were available to attend, and I cycled to buy milk, fresh fruits, and local vegetables that I cooked the way I liked. But no space comes without its problems.
Living through different spaces needs an article of its own — how any place is made by the people, not by its walls or the open space left around it.
From Tamil Nadu, my partner and I drove all the way along the coast to Kolkata in West Bengal stopping at ancient caves, deep forests, and hotels from the past era. We were to fly to Saigon city in Vietnam from Kolkata. From that colorful month in the country, the most I remember were fish soups and hotpots, biking in the rain on empty island roads, being invited by families to drink and eat with them, meeting up with random travelers who became lifelong friends, and delicious dragon fruits.
And now I am back in West Bengal, living more towards the east, near the woods and open gold and green pastures in which I walk in the sun. Around me live people from different states with very minimal. It is here that I would spend the last day of the year watching the cows and goats graze, women burn their garbage in the open ground, and cats pounce on chickens left free to wander and pick. Every day seems the same here, but so much is changing. For example, when I arrived a month ago, the sun was bright and for these last days, it is playing hide and seek from behind a sheet of fog and clouds.
But who am I to complain? The US (and parts of Canada) has been badly hit with a snowstorm, and I hope for all of you who are there to be well and come out of it well. The sun will reach you, soon.
I have put together articles on the learnings from the year, my favorite books from 2022, and the scenes that left me warmed, inspired, and awed by the nature. Whatever is left of it is defying climate change with full force. Two of these three pieces I am sharing below and will send the next one in the next week’s letter so there is not so much on your plate to read while all we want to do is be with our family and friends and go out to eat and sit in the park, or snuggle up next to the fire.
I hope we can leave what is to be left behind without remorse, go on knowing that we did the best we could, we all do, it is in the nature of things, and that we can forgive others, but ourselves too. I am happy we just made it another year.
I wish you a very happy new year. And now onwards with this letter.
What are you taking away from 2022? What are you leaving behind?
For this week’s letter,
Some of my writing,
quotes I love,
things to read,
things to watch,
and
travel tips.
Latest Articles From the Week
Favorite Books of 2022
Books that suffused me with courage and child-like wonder, showed me the beauty and the ordinary genius of daily life, reaffirmed that we are shadows of our childhood, and equipped me with tools to understand life better.
Find the books now. Or Pocket the article for later.
27 Hopeful Photos From 2022 That Show Nature Defy Climate Change
While the climate crisis is here, the nature leftover in the corners it is squeezed into is as real, extraordinary, and soul-warming as ever.
There is much to see, amaze at, and protect. I want to end the year with hope by sharing these photographs from 2022 that show nature not only surviving but also thriving in its own home. If we still let it be, it will recover all that is lost, with just a little consideration, help, and love from us.
Get to the photos now. Or Pocket them to savor later.
Quotes I Love
“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” Albert Camus.
“The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.” Nietzsche
“The trick is to keep on wanting something.” Duncan Hannah
“I wouldn’t have missed the St. Louis Blues sung out on that trumpet for anything. Something shone from that man, a rare thing, real joy. It is becoming exceedingly rare among artists of any kind. And I have an idea that those who can and do communicate it are always people who have had a hard time. Then the joy has no smugness or self-righteousness in it, is inclusive not exclusive, and comes close to prayer.” May Sarton
“When we consciously decide to not judge people negatively, instead of them, it is us whom we free from the tug of judgment that has been making us dance to its tune. Now we are liberated, confident, and pleasant. The world is, finally, not a bad place to be.” Yours Truly
“How today is tomorrow will not be.” Yours Truly
“We don’t need a big problem to be brave about, every day life calls for courage.” Yours Truly
What I’ve Been Reading
I read a lot of things these past few weeks, but out of all, I will share some articles now. The rest I will send you the next week.
Beautiful reads from the week,
The Books I read the past weeks are now part of my Favorite Books of 2022
My Bionic Dog by Lindsay Tibando — A short heartwarming story of a lonely woman and a dog caring for each other. “You take care of me, I'll take care of you.”
The Bad Neighbor by Drew Shannon — Another short but strong tale about how the people around us affect us, inspire us, and change us forever.
Dear Life by my favorite Alice Munro — An autobiographical essay by the legendary Munro on growing up and the magic of real life.
A hilarious read on How Our Parents Worry About Us by Bess Kalb — The title “Obituaries My Mother Wrote for Me While I Was Living in San Francisco in My Twenties” says it all.
As the year comes to an end Putin announces plan to strengthen cooperation with Chinese armed forces. When will the war end?
I am also reading up on Covid-19 and so far don’t have the greatest resource to share, but 39 international travellers have tested Covid positive at airports across India. If you are planning to head out, do watch out for the news and the latest travel regulations of destinations. Also, please be careful.
What I’ve Been Watching/Listening
that’s worth mentioning
Writing and reading has kept me so busy that I have nothing new to share. I do keep tuning into music. Sometime this year, I will share the songs and playlists I listen to the most, if you would like.
And for all my Wanderlusters.
Images from living in Pondicherry and Auroville in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
As soon as I opened the back door of my room, the precious swell of the morning caught me. The chatter of birds welcomed me into the delight of the day. As if they were saying, “Where have you been? Come, join us. See there is light and plentiful to be chirpy about.”
it was not such a long while ago that I won't remember the taste of this Bun Cha Ca - the glorious fish noodle soup of Vietnam. Nor have I forgotten the hospitality of the lady who served us cold herbal tea without asking and kept refilling, the ice, not the tea.
Vietnam 2022
Thank you for reading.
I hope you have a great weekend. May 2023 brings you all the sunshine, smiles, and strength you need and deserve :)
Let me know what you think about this newsletter. Just press reply.
Yours,
Priyanka
Splashes of Sea like those moments that stick to me and never leave those people not one or two, but so many who took away all I could give but then what is this from where do the tears come gurgling as if there was more the sea could hold there were enough pores on me to take them all and then some more because if not how was I still standing while the waves crashed against me this time not to wash me ashore but to wrap me in the carpet of dawn
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