A new weekly column. Every Sunday.

The Sommelier’s Quote

We had a virtual wine tasting event recently, with clients and team members dialing in from all over the US. Think 25+ people, all gathered for almost 2 hours, to experience some unique wines from all over the world. Joining us was a sommelier, who, during the course of the evening, said something interesting. She said and I quote, “Wine allows us to travel through a glass.” A glass that takes us to the countries and the vineyards that these wines come from, allowing us, just for a few minutes to transport us to these exotic places. What a great thought, especially as the world continues to realize how precious the gift of travel was – one that I, for sure, definitely took for granted.

Dancing Like No One is Watching

Around 1989, I watched the Grammys live on television for the very first time. I recorded the live song performances, on cassette, using a regular tape recorder, placing it in front of the TV. Rudimentary technology, but it worked. I remember locking the door while my parents and siblings had to be in absolute silence for those 3 hours, to ensure a good recording. And just for those few hours, I was transported to the Grammys, immersed in the music. Right there with Madonna and all the other artists that were so influential to my music choices then and continue to be even now!

Music is a huge part of my every day. I start my day with it and most times, end my day with it. It helps take my mind off difficult things like planks, pushups and tough situations involving teenagers and work. Not necessarily in that order. But now, with noise cancelling headphones, sometimes at home, I dance with gay abandon, like no one is watching. I close my eyes and imagine dimly lit dance floors with amazing DJs, playing global grooves. This helps me embrace my inner ‘Shakira’, to move and feel the rhythm in every cell of my body. Imagination takes me to dance floors and bars, where there are no lewd humans with their stares, elbowing me while judging my moves or my choice of clothes! And just for those few minutes, I dance. Like, I really dance!

Nancy Drew, Sherlock Holmes and Poirot

My love for reading and books is all thanks to my father, who took me to every library that crossed our paths. Nancy Drew the sleuth, was a big part of my childhood. I lapped up every Nancy Drew book that was out there, pretending to be solving mysteries and looking for the not-so-obvious. Somewhere along the way, came the writings of Arthur Canon Doyle and Sherlock Holmes, his character so famous and popular that people would not allow him to be killed! And then, there was Agatha Christie, who I consider, one of the greatest writers I have come across. Her control of the English language, her creation of characters like Miss Marple and of course, the very endearing Hercule Poirot, continue to be my favorites even today.

The love for questions, the constant curiosity and to look beyond the obvious are a big part of me. I wonder if it was influenced by those books and those amazing characters, transporting me from the roads of Belgium, to London, to Baskervilles and even travel the Orient Express! Is it the reason I ended up in Psychology, Marketing and now, Consumer Behavior? “You ask so many questions, Anika,” is something I am constantly accused of. Now, methinks, it is all their fault. The books, I mean and the characters that fly out of their pages!

The Promise of Open Roads

And then, there is the imagination and promise of open roads. Roads waiting to be explored and trips waiting to be taken. These are roads that I imagine even while going to pick up my matcha tea from my local Dunkin’s drive through. What can I say? I am that kinda girl – give me a road and I will take a trip. That’s all it takes. A good car, some good music, winding roads and a good book with unforgettable characters.

Add to that, the promise of people that I will meet along the way: the local farmers’ markets that are waiting with the freshest picks and of course, the small restaurants with home cooked food, just like mama used to make it! I still remember, on a work trip to North Carolina, I had fried green tomatoes and fried Okra for the very first time! And those mashed potatoes: words cannot describe the way the South can make potatoes find their inner ‘mashed greatness’. It has to be experienced for oneself. I only have to close my eyes to be transported to that very moment, sitting in that much-loved local restaurant with colleagues, to savor the taste of those mashed potatoes and fried green tomatoes again!

In gratitude for Imagination

Aah! The number of times that imagination has come to my rescue in life! Most people look at life as ‘what is.’ I have always looked at life from the lens of “What if!” Is it escapism? I don’t see it that way. I see imagination being the reasons we are, where we are. It is imagination that landed us on the moon, and has truly connected the world through a wireless network. It is imagination that is helping bring hyperloops to life and may even bring us to Mars one day. This imagination not only saved JK Rowling in her deepest, darkest hours, but created a ‘better imagined’ life in the minds of her children and for so many children and adults all over the world.

There was a time, when on a lark, I have driven down to DC, Delaware, Boston, Baltimore, Virginia, NY, Rhode Island, Upstate NY and even Niagara Falls to name a few. It was simple: have a car and road, will drive! But the past one year has been hard. Crossing state borders, the simple joy of walking into a restaurant or even the library to get a book – needed to be rethought.

But the vaccines are here. And we will survive this and be back to our music, our books, our vineyards and our roads soon. But till then, I am in complete gratitude for the power of my imagination, that allows me to lift that glass, take a sip and just for those brief moments, forget that I am next to the kitchen sink, waiting to stack the dishwasher! Shakira, hold those moves, for here I come!

Read my previous blogs below:

• Anika’s Zen and the Power of Gratitude
• Sack Full of Breaths
• The Power of Silence: A Date with Myself
• Travel Through the Glass
• The Elusive Trophy
• The Joy of Everyday
• Does Love Have a Color?
• Stronger than the Storm
• My Neighborhood, My Tribe

Anika Sharma is a digital thought leader, a mother, a professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business. She was recently named as one of the top 150 digital global leaders to follow in 2021. When she is not busy working or raising her two teenage children, you can find her planting herbs in her garden, meditating with her friends, swimming long laps or filling rooms with her cackling laughter. Contact her at anikadas@gmail.com or on twitter

If you enjoyed this blog, read about the Many Benefits of Gratitude. and the Rules of Simple Living.

Do you love our posts and recipes? We’d LOVE to see your creations so click a photo and tag us on Instagram with the hashtag #healthyindian3 and please give a star (★) rating below. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube & Tumblr for healthy, easy and delicious recipes and lifestyle tips.

*There could be affiliate links in this blog. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.