Curry, Chaiya Chaiya, and Om




India has become an important place to our family.  Only my husband has been there, but his enthusiasm for all things Indian has rubbed off on all of us.  Cooking Indian food has become one of our favorite things to do together.  I have a couple of baskets of spices sitting right on the counter, ready and waiting to be used.  Chicken Kurma, Naan,...  mmmmmm


This is the symbol I painted on our bedroom wall. The inside graphic is  the "Om" symbol; representing the need to meditate, and the outside surrounding circle is the henna tattoo that brides paint around their navels; representing marriage and commitment. 

But beyond the wonderful cuisine (and so-so fun Bollywood movies with their incredibly addicting songs) there are so many other things that we have appreciated about Indian culture.  Living the "middle way" has become a mantra that my husband recites over and over to himself when things seem to be pulling at him from all sides.  I have learned to try and embrace this same philosophy, although it is a hard one to master.  As much as I try to deny it I have had to face the facts: I am quite high-strung.  I am constantly working on pacing myself and not running from one thing to the next, either literally or in my mind.  Looking at this symbol on my wall each day helps to remind me that meditation and marriage go hand in hand when I need to get my priorities straight.  

Relax, Kaz.  Give yourself time to ponder your life.  Give special attention to your husband and special devotion to your marriage.  Slow down.  Breathe.  Breathe.

 Thank you, India.

10 comments

LisAway | October 6, 2008 at 12:21 PM

Interesting!! I love that symbol and what it represents.

My sister cooks a lot of great Indian food and I my former roommate (current blogging friend) lived in India for a year or two when she was in high school, so I got to hear lots of interesting stories about it, if from the perspective of a teenager.

This is really neat to know about your family!

Luann | October 6, 2008 at 1:52 PM

You guys have single-handedly introduced me to Indian cuisine and culture. I owe you for that because I love it! If you happen to have any any of that food leftover after dinner... ;)

Emily | October 6, 2008 at 3:41 PM

I love that symbol. What a great thing to have on your wall. I think everyone could use some time to meditate. Is it stalking if you now know that I was here... Love the blog

Heather of the EO | October 6, 2008 at 3:44 PM

Now I have that Alanis Morrisette song, Thank You in my head. Cause she sings, "thank you India..."

Sorry, got sidetracked.

I love the symbol too! Such a beautiful idea. And a good reminder to SLOOOW DOOWN--how quickly I forget.

Kazzy | October 6, 2008 at 3:47 PM

I was thinking of that song too when I wrote it! She would be pleased :)

Juliana | October 6, 2008 at 6:27 PM

Awesome. :-) I'd love to hear more about this sometime!

Little GrumpyAngel | October 6, 2008 at 6:52 PM

I love that symbol and what it represents. And I also want to take a moment to tell you what a great job you did painting it. You are so talented.

I have a couple of Indian friends that I appreciate very much. Their ability to find serenity and their center in a helter skelter world has always impressed me. I'm sure it stems from their culture. As a bonus they also introduced me to nan and curried lamb. Yums!

Margy | October 6, 2008 at 7:50 PM

I'm so sad that I was killed off by poisoned Indian food in a previous life. At least that's my theory as to why I have an irrational dislike of Indian food. Indian food and snakes. But I have a definite appreciation for the spiritual wisdom that comes from that neck of the woods! I'm with you on that!

charrette | October 9, 2008 at 10:20 PM

I love this! I need some a similar mantra, a rich symbol, a reminder to slow down and refocus. Inspiring.

Heidi | October 10, 2008 at 4:12 PM

I want to see pictures of your entire house! The few little glimpses I have seen are fascinating! You probably go "gah!" when you see pics of mine--such a totally different style from yours not to mention a bit de trop (pardon the french) but as much as I am attached to my very definite style, I truly do appreciate others. So, I wanna see!