New beginnings + community + India's wisest tuk tuk driver
A quick guide to life and happiness: 'No hurry, no worry. Keep cool in your inside. Slowly, slowly.'
I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of community these past few weeks. Mostly, because our first born has just stepped into the brave new world of starting school. We’ve had a long summer of dress rehearsals (full school uniform/hat/backpack for Saturday sushi and trips to the park) and an increasing level of excitement tempered by intermittent bouts of butterflies ahead of the big day.
There’s little to compare to standing there, waving to your baby, trying to hold it together, as they walk away, down the path, wearing a backpack as big as their body, and a hat you know will be lost within the first week. You’re in a pack of parents who try not to weep, reminiscent of families farewelling loved ones embarking on a maiden voyage across the high seas.
That feeling like you’ve been winded or punched in the stomach - a heavy, burning hole in your chest, topped off by a lack of sleep, deep confusion over how lunchboxes can be so different from back in the 80s (bentos + Crunch and Sip?) and the worry over whether they’ll find/make/keep a friend in the playground.
And now, as we hit week four of the morning drop-off juggling act and the crazy 3.15pm pick-up with the cantankerous younger sister in tow, it’s the parents - not the kids - who enter the awkward arena of forming new friendships. A familiar face, a child’s name you’ve heard your daughter mention - a common thread. You’re all in this together.
And so as I start to make new mum mates, and scroll through the class WhatsApp group (for better or for worse!?) I can see that this chapter only works if you remain open to find and embrace your community - in whatever shape or form it may take.
The journey through pregnancy, birth and post-partum is another period where you need to embrace and rely on community. Finding my mothers’ group was one of my greatest blessings. (Read more here!) We’re still holding onto each other - and still just as happy to smash caffeine, cake and a vino together - that bond can never be broken.
However for a lot of new mums, Covid lockdowns made things extra tricky. Luckily kind and helpful online communities have formed - Australian Birth Stories podcasts is a good example - it’s like a virtual birthing village. I interviewed Sophie Walker who is the creator and host of the poddy, which has more than 11 million downloads, and 350 episodes of women sharing their birth experience (and not just the blissful bits).
LISTEN HERE
And now, along with the help of brilliant author Jodi Wilson, the pair has written and released The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth.
The book weaves through stories from the podcast but also draws on the expertise of perinatal experts and is medically reviewed by a series of doctors. It covers the first/second/and third trimester > labor and birth > and early post-partum. It also doesn't shy away from challenging topics which can often be glazed over.
TRAVEL
If you’re part of the Habari family (THANK YOU!) you might remember the chat with Raju, our favourite tuk tuk driver in Varanasi. I’ve been going over his words again lately - trying to stay true to Raju. ‘No hurry, no worry!’
A QUICK GUIDE TO LIFE AND HAPPINESS
According to Raju, our tuk tuk driver. Varanasi, India.
Steph: My God. Varanasi is crazy, Raju. This is chaos.
Raju: It's ok. No hurry, no worry. Keep cool in your inside. Slowly, slowly.
S: It's crazy, but everyone looks so happy. Why are Indians so happy?
R: Life and happiness comes in waves. You must go with the waves. You must stay calm and quiet in your mind. This is what Indians do. You must be simple in what you want and you must serve your purpose. We all have a role.
S: Do you have Facebook Raju?
R: I am a simple man Stephanie. I don't like technology like that. It makes me feel like a robot when I look at my phone so much. I like books. Books are my friend. They take me on new adventures and I meet new people. If you have a book you are never alone.
S: Do you do yoga? Everyone here seems to do yoga.
R: Of course. My dad taught me when I was little. I do it every morning with meditation. Calm, cool mind is important. You must focus on your Third Eye.
S: What do you wear?
R: What do you mean?
S: What clothes do you wear for yoga?
R: Anything. But not tight jeans. That is silly.
S: What do you eat? Are you vegetarian?
R: I eat what my body tells me to. I don't like to eat a lot. Too many people eat McDonalds and Dominos and they blow themselves up at the gym like a balloon. Not me. I listen to my body. If there is meat in front of me, I may eat it because one day I will be old and have no teeth, and I will think why didn't I eat that meat.
S: What about women Raju?
R: Women are good. It is good that God created beautiful women. I see that. But beauty is on the inside. The most beautiful women in the world are the ones who are so big and bright on the inside.
Ask me a question. Every newsletter from here on I’ll answer a reader’s question. This can be anything - eg speaking on camera, production, mood boosters, circuit breakers, travel tips.
As always, thank you again for all your support over the years for Habari Productions and the And We’re Rolling podcast. It means the world to us and keeps us so excited to create even more.
We’ve tweaked this newsletter to now also include an option to upgrade to a paid subscription. This will allow us to offer you some extra bits of training or access to future mini events.
Of course, there is no pressure at all to do this - the free version of this newsletter is also enjoyable and written with love.
So, until the next newsletter….
Look after yourself. xx
The Rolling newsletter brings you wise words, a warm embrace and the ultimate travel escapades to leave you feeling windswept and sun kissed.