Announcements and Celebrations, Enjoy the Paintings, Guidance: Ways to grow, Motivation and Inspiration
Published on 02/01/2025
Comments 78

Reset and Restart- 25 Lessons to Walk on In 2025

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My dearest co-travellers, from Nara family to yours, wishing you an awakening 2025. 

2024 was a year that helped me to ground and restart living the stillness that comes with just being. It was very much like going back to my Vipassana days and the months with my teachers at the Yoga Gurukul. Because as I see those years now, they were priceless. During Vipassana I didn’t even have a phone of my own and while I was in Gurukul, the internet was still confined to Cyber Cafe’s.

Meditating in the premises of Bijli Mahadev, Himachal Pradesh


Last year when I decided to travel in April I took a break from blogging and it went on for over 6 months. It was peaceful to say the least. But I also mull because so much of last year’s time in the Himalayas I could not and did not share with you at all. At the same time I could reimagine a world where I could keep writing without meaning to instantly share. I spent a lot of time reading in the evenings which I felt I had no patience for. But it reorganised my mind to words and the rhythm that comes with it.

And as I press on this note to myself, some lessons that i am carrying from previous years that are not goals, neither resolutions but some learnings that shall lead to better days, better moments and hopefully a better me. And hence I wish that 2025 becomes a year of clarity, of serving, teaching, uplifting and doing fewer things with intensity and determination.

As I reflect on the year that is history, I feel the need to share some lessons I learned or that have been reinforced over the past twelve months, that I must focus on before I think of any achievements or even light. And i will hope that they will be of use to you, my online family on this beautiful journey, our life.

Thought board at School

Here they are: 

1. God first. God always. God alone!

2. Owning my mornings. 

3. Each Day and every night: Pray. Reflect. Act. 

4. That value is in to serve, to solve, to uplift the ones in need. 

5. That reading for at least an hour each evening is 1000x better than scrolling.

6. That the quality of my habits will determines the caliber of my future.

7. That a good night’s sleep prevents bad decisions.

8. Read a little. Write more. Think most. Meditate all the time!

9. That country music is balm for my soul. 

10. That fasting breeds focus, energy and longevity.

11. Know that the world is in the most dangerous place it’s been in for 100 years yet there’s also much beauty to celebrate.

12. That victims curse change while leaders rise within it.

13. That self-discipline is not a natural gift but a daily practice.

14. That what you do daily is so much more important than what you do annually.

15. That each time you settle for what others say, very possibly degrades your vision. And reduces your heroism.

16. That Energy is a more valuable commodity than Time.

17. That social media is a splendid tool to distribute value and a terrible waste of time if misused.

18. That allowing even one toxic person into your life can dramatically reduce the quality of your life.

19. That your work environment is a major factor in the production of your mastery.

20. That peace of mind (and heart) is more priceless than gold. 

21. That if your parents are healthy and happy into their old age you’re a fantastically blessed person.

22. That generosity is a gift you give yourself.

23. That life’s just too short to worry about rejection.

24. That today, the most important vitamin is Vitamin N. Learning to say ‘NO’ will help you to bide time. 

25. That in the end, Stillness will be the Key. 

As they say, 

If you really know where your mind goes when it wanders? 

What would have to change for you to actually follow the wandering and make it real?

Or for your mind to choose to wander somewhere else? Somewhere you’re already going.

Please know how grateful I am to be doing what I love and all the more, sharing my life and my little works with you all, here. 

Thank you all, my dear co-travellers. 

And Happy 2025. I hope this list will help you to straighten out a few lines. Stand strong. Believe in your gifts. Be brave!

Love and Respect,


Narayan 

: ँ :

Thank you


If today is the first time you have arrived on The Road to Nara, you are heartily welcome ~ Namaste

ROAD TO NARA : Stories of Culture, History, Passion, Art, People, Lores, Rivers, Folk, Mysticism, Meditation, Mountains, Trees and Tantric Science of Ancient India and around the World to your mailbox.

Follow NATURE 


: ँ :

I will take this opportunity to introduce you to About me and importantly

As a co-traveller, will take you through the Ten Lessons I learnt from several years on the road, before you coarse on your own Road to Nara.

: ँ :


You might also like to know about My Little School Project.

If you wish to come over for a visit someday, that you must, you will be heartily welcome here

: ँ :

And a small 2025 Lunar Calander gift for you to save for the year.


If you have anything to share, or feel like saying a hello, please feel free to write to me at lotusofnara@gmail.com

To follow my walks through the rural Indian Subcontinent, find me at :
Instagram | X | Facebook

: ँ :

Cover Image – When hair were longer. On the way to Bijli Mahadev.

This entry was posted in: Announcements and Celebrations, Enjoy the Paintings, Guidance: Ways to grow, Motivation and Inspiration
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Unknown's avatar

Hi, I am Narayan Kaudinya. And i welcome you on this journey, the Road to Nara ! I am an Ethnographer and a practicing Indologist. I did my masters in History and further learnt Sanskrit, Yoga and Nerve-therapy. At 24, pushing most academic sounding, office sitting works away, i felt compelled to know and understand the world and my country, Bharat/India. I travelled, and as it happened i took up teaching in Kashmir and further up in the remote villages of Baltistan in the foothills of Karakoram Ranges. For around three years and many states later there came a time when i felt that it was only while teaching i learnt how to laugh, to see, feel, breathe, love and cry -with children, and mostly resource-less parents in the harshest-freezing border conditions. I write, and work as a documentary photographer and Filmmaker, with numerous published, exhibited and some awarded stories. In my travels and life i have let nature lead me, the divine mother, and as a Yogin, my resolve here is to share my experiences and thoughts as honestly, and through them to blossom in everyone the power and possibility in pursuing your breath, that you seek your true nature with courage and curiosity. Here, on this road i will share my spirit, my love for nature, the elements of life that are us. And in doing so, i'll be happy to see you along.

78 Comments

  5. Tippy Gnu's avatar
    Tippy Gnu says

    #18 rings a bell with me. I’ve lived with toxic people in my life, and I know how challenging that can be. I’m guessing you’ve had a similar experience. I think it’s important to filter such people out, just as best as we possibly can.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  7. Pingback: Reset Remind and Restart- 25 Lessons to Walk on In 2025 – Deacon Gerry Palermo

  13. My Mindfulness Journey Blog's avatar
    My Mindfulness Journey Blog says

    Hi,

    Thank you so much for sharing your insights and lessons from the past year. Your reflections on clarity, service, and personal growth resonate deeply with me. It’s a wonderful reminder of the beauty of stillness and the importance of daily practices.

    I especially appreciate the idea that each action we take daily shapes our future, and that generosity is truly a gift we give ourselves. Your journey and the wisdom you’ve gathered are incredibly inspiring.

    Looking forward to following your journey in {2025}!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Thanks for this delightful comment. I completely agree with you. We know where we are going just how we move in a day. And thus each day especially 2025 seems to be another opportunity.

      Thank you for following, and appreciating. It will be a pleasure.

      Thanks much and a good 2025 to you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Melissa Lemay's avatar
    Melissa Lemay says

    An awe-inspiring list. #9 made me smile big. Happy New Year, my friend! Wishing you peace and many other blessings! May things go well for you.🙏🏻❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Thank you so much Melissa. It’s a pleasure reading your beautiful comment. A great coming 2025 to you too. Hope these 6 days have put a smile and perspective for the year coming.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. gary j's avatar
    gary j says

    Wishing you and yours and indeed for the whole world to receive peace love and respect in this coming year. XXO Di… 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. C.A. Peterson's avatar
    C.A. Post says

    Nice to see you back, Narayan. If you consider reading a great value, you probably understand that WHAT you read is vital as well. Check out my recommendation for 2025 at capost2k.wordpress.com; last Saturday’s: A Unique Approach to a Chronological Approach…
    ❤️&🙏, c.a.

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    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Yes C.a long time we wrote. I will try to check out the link but it doesn’t show it here. And Hoping I am still not too late to say A very Happy and Healthy 2025 to you.

      Like

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    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Thank you dear Ana, I read somewhere that you were taking a break from blogging last year. Its good in a way actually. And Hoping I am still not too late to say A very Happy and Healthy 2025 to you, dear Ana friend.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. niasunset's avatar
    niasunset says

    All journeys one day intersect with other journeys, perhaps these intersections are the richness of journeys… Thank you for your visit, this is how I met you. I found your blog very interesting. Being aware of the journey of life, creating and sharing the present with knowledge, experiences, and past values, it ​​is an amazing journey. I wish you a Happy New Year 2025 to my first meet, Thank you, Love, nia

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Thanks much dear Nia, very kind to hear such words early. And Hoping I am still not too late to say A very Happy and Healthy 2025 to you.

      I was hoping to open your blog link but somehow I am not getting through. If you are reading this message please consider sharing here. Thank you again Nia.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • niasunset's avatar
        niasunset says

        Thank you for you too, it should be a technical problem, you can open. Happy New Year to you too. Love, nia

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      • niasunset's avatar
        niasunset says

        If it is going on, please try again and let me now, what can I do I don’t know. Sorry for this.

        Like

        Reply
  22. Ranjana's avatar
    Ranjana says

    Happy New Year Narayan. Taking a pause really refreshes perspective and opens our eyes to rest on the beauty of things around us that we often take for granted. May this year end the war among nations as well as the fight within us and give us all the peace and love that we deserve. Stay positive and healthy always. Take care.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Ranjana, i hope the war ends but you know we are going to see wars in our lifetime as the world and the order is changing, there is no question about it. Even though 2025 will be a better year And Hoping I am still not too late to say A very Happy and Healthy 2025 to you. Thanks again, Narayan

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. Rosaliene Bacchus's avatar
    Rosaliene Bacchus says

    It’s good to hear from you, Narayan 🙂 Thanks for sharing your insightful lessons learned during the past year. I can especially relate to #18. May you find the clarity you seek in the New Year ahead ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  24. Suzassippi's avatar
    Suzassippi says

    When I am listening to the universe, I find there are no coincidences. Thus, while I am still in awe that your visit to my blog happened, and that I chose to read this post as a result, one read showed me this is a path I want to walk with you this year. I have been preparing myself for it now for a few weeks, and now, here is the next step forward.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Oh my, a chef and a historian. Its like cooking and having so many important stories for food each time. I am honoured to have you here dear Suza, if I may write that for your short name. You are heartily welcome. And Hoping I am still not too late to say A very Happy and Healthy 2025 to you. I shall try and slowly start reading your words.

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      • Suzassippi's avatar
        Suzassippi says

        Thank you so very much, Narayan, and Happy New Year to you as well. Suza is quite appropriate–I was often called Suz, or Suzy by others, and got the nickname Suzasippi when I moved to Mississippi from Texas, and began to write about my experiences here.

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    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Jean you are welcome, this list is annual and I myself have come to visit it whenever I found myself wanting. Thank you for writing.

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  30. usfman's avatar
    usfman says

    I am glad you are back successfully from your long journey and have some new wisdoms to share from your part of the world. I agree with them excepting the country music thing.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Don’t know how I missed this happy comment Jim, but please tell me about your views on country music, think we can include ‘folk’ in it too!

      Like

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  32. Cheryl Batavia's avatar
    Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet says

    That is quite a list! I found much wisdom and food for thought in it. Thank you for sharing, Narayan! 💕

    My New Year’s resolution is to simplify and organize my life, getting rid of belongings and activities I no longer need, so that I will have the time and energy to pursue my goals.

    All the best as you pursue your goals this year. 😊

    Warm wishes,

    Cheryl

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Much gratitude, dear Cheryl. Yes, lots of ridding from belongings here too. I thought January would be enough but seems it’s never-ending unless it ends in mind.

      Thank you for coming after sometime. And a healthy 2025 to you.

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