This is my story of finding my way to delivering joy. Three years ago, in February 2020, I embarked on a sabbatical from my high-profile job at The Times in the vibrant city of Mumbai. Little did I know, the world was on the cusp of a monumental shift. Come March, a worldwide lockdown altered our lives. It wasn’t the script of a charming Hallmark movie that I found myself in, but a return to my roots, back at my parents’ house in my quaint hometown. The bustling streets of Mumbai were replaced by the quiet familiarity of home. There were no new streets to discover, no chance encounters leading to romance. Instead, there I was, experiencing unemployment for the first time in a decade, navigating through the scary silence of uncertainty. Thinking about it today, towards the end of 2023 makes me realize and grateful for how privileged I am to be alive today!
That was the first time I realized the true positive power of internet. Amidst isolation, I reached out online, discovering incredible friends and communities. Most connections blossomed into lifelong friendships, while others, like fleeting digital shadows, vanished as normalcy returned. Same holds true for the online purchases I made.
A NEW OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
A few months in, I began the daunting task of job hunting, aiming to make a meaningful impact in a world riddled with hardship. Job searching quickly became a full-time endeavor, yet despite numerous applications, responses were scarce. This prompted a bold decision: to carve my own path. My passion for holistic healing, crystals, meditation guidance, and intuitive astrology, which had always been a part of me, now took center stage. I ventured into practicing these arts professionally, with a steadfast commitment to offer free services to those in financial hardship.
THE MAGIC OF MOVEMENT
The ‘magic of movement’ has always resonated with me. I’ve found that when you take a step towards your goal, it often seems to leap towards you. As I embarked on this new path, people from all walks of life reached out. The joy of positively impacting others’ lives is almost addictive. Just when I was ready to abandon my job search, a twist of fate occurred. To my astonishment, interview offers began rolling in from multiple companies, including Shop LC. After navigating through numerous interviews, I stood at a crossroads, contemplating offers from two major players: Vaibhav Global Limited, the parent company of Shop LC, known for its jewelry and fashion retail, another Mumbai offer with one of the biggest FMCG giants in the world.
CHOICES AND serendipity
The answer to my choice might seem obvious now, but the ‘why’ is profound. I was captivated by Shop LC’s commitment to social responsibility, particularly their ‘Your Purchase Feeds‘ program. The idea of feeding an underprivileged child with every sale struck a chord with me. Their dedication to sustainability and reducing environmental impact resonated deeply. This ethos would have been foreign to the Mumbai version of me, who, in her fancy clothes, mingled with celebrities everyday with a Starbucks in hand. Yet, like many, the pandemic realigned my values, reconnecting me with my roots. I turned down the allure of the big city and a heftier paycheck, choosing instead to move to the enchanting pink city of Jaipur. This role immersed me in the captivating realm of gemstones, allowing me to leverage my intuition. In this decision, my life came full circle.
And did I mention – The love of my life, hailing from Jaipur, was yet another sign that I was on the right path. We tied the knot in this very city on 11.11.2022. As I said, life indeed came full circle.
2023 – A SPECIAL YEAR
So, what does delivering joy truly mean? In 2023, my journey with the Shop LC blog began. It was a quest not just to write, but to truly understand my readers, to envision their lives. This pursuit led me to travel, meeting inspiring individuals across the United States and globally. I delved deeper into spirituality, studying the metaphysical properties and healing powers of crystals. In a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence, I discovered the profound significance of the human mind. This year marks a milestone – for the first time in three years, I am directly reaching out to you. Through my words, I hope to deliver a spark of joy to you, my dear reader.
Because for me, your joy signifies a steadfast commitment to doing better, embracing risks, and showing consideration. It’s about enhancing the world with integrity, spreading love and light in every step. It involves investing my mind, heart, and soul in my work. Echoing Khalil Gibran’s wise words, ‘Work is love made visible.’ This philosophy encapsulates my journey and the essence of the joy I strive to deliver.
YOU MAKE JOY POSSIBLE
Delivering joy, for me, goes beyond the immediate sparkle of a new purchase. It’s about the deeper satisfaction my readers feel when they select something special from my curated recommendations at Shop LC and Tamsy. Each item holds the potential to become a cherished heirloom, a symbol of joy passed down through generations. But there’s more: every purchase also brightens a child’s day, securing their future and there are 46,000,000 meals and smiles delivered so far!
Thus, delivering joy is about the power of sharing, fostering the dream that we, as a global community, can make a profound difference. Let me know what ‘joy’ means to you in the comments, would love to read and reflect. Merry Christmas, my dear readers!
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