sorryThe apology

I haven’t been here much lately. And I’m sorry. I truly am.

To back up… you know I started a new job a while back, etc. etc. And you have been really patient with me as I’ve been figuring out my new life. Because sometimes that takes… well, time. Right? And that’s meant I’ve had less time to devote to anything unrelated to work.

Image: Dave Keeshan via Flickr, CC 2.0

But the thing is… I love WUL. I am so grateful for my guest bloggers, those that are in it for the long haul, as well as those that come and go… and I am so grateful for all of you – the community that has gathered around what started out on the wing of a prayer (if that!).

And I’ve felt very guilty about being incognito on my own blog, and with you.

This is going to change. It won’t be perfect immediately, but it will change. And I am so grateful to all of you who are hanging in there with me.

Thank you so much. And I hope you’ll accept my apology.

The wish

diwali diyasLast week, Indians around the world celebrated Diwali, aka the Hindu festival of lights. We Indians love stories, so it’s only fitting that there are at least five versions of the Diwali story. And they all revolve around celebration, Good vanquishing Evil, or some iteration thereof.

Image: Rameshng via Flickr, CC 2.0

Since I left India more than 12 years ago (!) I haven’t really been able to celebrate Diwali the way I used to. But I still get nostalgic over it and think the lighting of diyas (earthen lamps) at the entrance of one’s home, to guide the Goddess of Prosperity in, is a lovely tradition.

(And I get misty-eyed that though I was traveling for work, my husband lit a few diyas that night in front of our home, so that I could celebrate it in abstentia.)

As we move into the Thanksgiving holiday this week, I wish you the blessing of being home with your loved ones, the warmth that comes from being around what you know, and the courage that gives one to go forth and do courageous things.

The adventure

adventureSome weeks ago, completely out of the blue, I was recommended as a speaker for a TEDx.

Yes, you read that right. A TEDx.

A TEDXXXXXXXXXXXX!!!!!

God bless you, Maddie Grant.

Image: Kamath Residency Adventure Resort via Flickr, CC 2.0

To me, TED events are the pinnacle of creative inspiration. Where you go to be inspired, and come away from thinking you can change the world. As of yet I’ve never attended “the” TED, but I subscribe to the blog, watch the videos, etc. And I’ve watched, with wide eyes, as friends of mine have been involved in the organization of the X’s thereof.

Because just being a part of those is PDFC (and you can ask Davina Brewer to figure that one out for you).

Here is how much I’m in awe of the TEDs (and X’s thereof): when I was approached to speak, I almost said, “No.”

Because I thought – who on earth would want to see me at a TED … or “X” thereof?

But I realized this would be a very stupid thing to do.

So I’m speaking at TEDxAdamsMorganWomen on December 1 – just a couple of weeks from today.

TEDxAdamsMorganWomen

I am so nervous. But, oh my goodness, what an adventure!

If you’ll be in the DC area that day, I’d love you to come out; and if you’re not but have friends who will be, do share with them. And if you use the code TEDXWOMEN when purchasing your ticket(s), you’ll get them for $30… but only if you do it by Monday (tomorrow), and by 12 pm.

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We have some cool stuff coming up on WUL this week (and then we’ll take a bit of a break for T-Day and be back next week).

So thank you for hanging in there. The best is yet to come.

As we go into the holiday season, what are your wishes? Is there an adventure you are embarking upon? Do share, we’d love to know.