Quick Friendships on Quick Ride

Last year one thing which I definitely missed is Quick Ride. Quick Ride is a revolutionary app for carpooling that matched people who drove to work with people who needed a ride.

I was a rider most of the time last 2 years. Also, MM and I offered rides when we drove.

Quick Ride quickly became a platform for making new connections, network. Some of these turned to friendships.

I met wonderful people during these rides whom I may never forget.

While I was taking this as a rider, I met a variety of drivers. extroverts, introverts, no-nonsense people, punctual, and every other sort of person. I admired a few for their driving skills while I admired a few for their commitment.

When we started offering rides is when I really met really cool people. Since it gave a sort of freedom to talk to the people. The car rides were exciting these days. We discussed science with science enthusiasts Deepthi. It was understanding all about Jainism from Dhwani. MM, and I have a keen interest in Jainism. Also got a peek into RJs work from her friend who sometimes came along with her.

Got to know geeky GenZ kid Arvind and learned a lot about technology. 

Met wonderful ladies Vanitha, Manjula, Gayathri, Navya, Preeti, Archana, and Asha. I was exposed to so many different perspectives as we carpooled together.

Of all, we met Sakthi Vel on these rides who is a real powerhouse. I will reserve a complete post of him as he is a man of many hats.

Quick Ride was surely enjoyable for both of us also it made me smarter in many ways. Staying far from the workplace has some advantages after all!

Alexis - My new friend

Last year has been a year of many firsts for me.One of them is me taking up to drive my car, Alexis.

I had been a long time user of office cab and never tried to drive vehicle to work as my office is about 30kms away from my home.  Weekends were reserved for unwinding and never thought of doing anything which needed energy.

Lack of desire and circumstances ensured that I completely lost touch of using any vehicle be it two wheeler or a four wheeler.

Ola, Uber made it totally unnecessary to drive. Except for the times when the ride was cancelled for no reason, I hardly had any issues with me not driving..

However, I had this intense cramps every now and then when I felt dependency on cabs or My husband MM due to my not driving. Also, Whenever I saw ladies behind the steering my heart cried and I could hear it shout " if they are able to do it.. Why can't you do.. What's the fuss here?" 

I had all my hope clinging on to how soon driverless or autonomous cars becomes a reality in India.

I knew all the techniques, I had a licence since long - only thing that I lacked was resolution.

The time came which was last year, when I said to myself -  it's now or never . One day I decided to take the car out on my own. My husband also agreed to put "L" sticker on the car, which was a big change for him.

I made friend with my car whom I named as Alexis (My favourite character from Schitt's Creek).She, like a very dear friend suported me, gave me courage and confidence.

Now I am a regular driver. It's been a great personal journey and a big leap for me that happened mostly in my mind. This transformation was due to support and blessings of my Gurumandala.. My Thanks to all my Gurus.

गुरुभ्यों नमः 🙏

Laudable Learning Entusiast Lakshmi - The Amazing People in My Life Series

Lakshmi is my dear friend for 12+ years, she is a person who surprises me always.

She surprised me as recently as yesterday when she told me that she had gone out of Bangalore last year to attend Tony Robbins DWD!

It is an unbelievable thing for me as I could not think someone would go out to attend a workshop in covid times in the middle of the covid hit economy.

My daughter LittleMM is a friend of Lakshmi's daughter. She is her first and long-time friend. I met Lakshmi through her a long time ago and we quickly connected.

Lakshmi living in a very conventional joint family - navigates through the situation remarkably. She looks for new opportunities to engage herself meaningfully - be it for her ventures or for self-development.

If she is convinced of self-development through a person or the institute, she will not hesitate to spend time or money or both.

She introduced us to Mani Sir of Grace Academy who has been a great life coach and influence on me and my family. 

Every time we meet, she will have a new thing to share, a new venture she would have started or a new coach she is working with.

All in all, she is a person who sees hope in tomorrow.

Happy New Year

Often I wonder what is New year? Is it just a change in calendar? That happens every month if it's a monthly Calendar.

Is it the late night parties ? That happens for many occasions around the year.

It is the crackers in middle of the night? That's there on Deepavali too.

I am sure New year is much more than all this..It is Hope. ಭರವಸೆ in kannada. Hope for better tomorrows.Hope for the better future. 

Next moment is new and fresh. There is a hope in that very next moment. So why only wait for the new year when we can be born- reborn everyday, every minute and every second.

A Sanskrit greeting for the New year sums it up so well.. This is written by pujya Swamiji Tejomayananda.

Kshanam Pratikshanam Yannavam Navam

Taccha Sundaram Saccha Tacchivam

Varsha Nutanam Te Shubham Mudam

Uttarottaram Bhavatu Siddhidam

That which is ever new and fresh, that alone is Good, Real and Beautiful. May this New Year bring you greater goodness, happiness and success.

Happy New Year