2024 ~ Number 8 ~ Contemplation!

Saying bye to 2024 today, which seems to be not like that I’d like to jot down some highs and not-so-highs from how things have gone by. A lot happened in this yr and something to be quite grateful about.

• I said goodbye to Vulcan on 6th Jan and joined CDC on 15th Jan 2024. My core driving skills were at test taking on the 100km journey daily having known that the job entailed me to be onsite every day due to the nature of its OT (Operational Technology) and IT networks.
• Hridhaan also resumed his school starting in year 2 and he took up some activities like music and cricket which have helped me spend some quality time. The aim should be to further such activities in 2025 and the yrs to come and reduce the screentime.
• Little did I know that somehow I didn’t want my savings to sit in the bank account but rather get them to move around by slowly taking up stock trading this year. I started with smaller investments from February and doing monthly add ons to my portfolio. At some stage, I’d like to be a successful trader making a living out my investments and the dividend income. I will do a separate blog post explaining my portfolio and why I chose to invest in certain Companies and ETFs.
• I went through some challenges at CDC which started showing up from September onward where I was put into PIP. Thereby giving me signs to start searching for another workplace. With the job market being construed and limited options available I had to take on the opportunity which showed up via Gallagher based in Hamilton as Senior Network Engineer taking a paycut of 10% approx. At this stage I need to focus on improving my existing skillset and be more employable. I want to practice the principle of “Habit of doing more than paid for” which has helped me in the past and will surely in the future as well.
• I am grateful for the travels that happened this year especially around March-April, grateful for CDC to grant me the leave. Thank you, Shiva and Rama for enabling me the means and time to visit some of the greatest places on earth like Varanasi, Tuljapur and Ayodhya.
• Thank you for some great times with the family and extended. There were some challenges and issues which cropped from mom and me which led to some bitterness in the relationship.
• Health has been on radar especially Nupur having some stressful / painful in the last 3 months of 2024. Overall, the pattern has been on the better side but still a lot needs to happen and subside to help me reach normal levels. I feel don’t have to mention about the challenges I have been facing with regards to managing stress/urate levels. Thanks to Vinay for imbibing in me the join the gym and going there regularly since August this yr. This will certainly help me improve the muscle and overall improve health. I hope Nupur takes some things seriously and starts doing something whatever helps her to improve the situation.
• I aim to continue to be calmer and kinder in most/all situations. Try not to judge and leave people as is. Give advice only when they ask for it.
• I need to meditate and go deeper; latter half of 2024 has been lower side due to health issues.
• Continue studying finance stock market with dollar cost averaging methodology as followed since March 2024.
• I took up studying astrology(vedic), thanks to Vinay again for helping me find a guru from India and the journey has just begun.