“O Lord, who lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness” William Shakespeare
This month is dedicated by the church for all the departed souls in the family & Church. It’s called the All Souls Day, a time to visit the cemetery and pay homage to the departed souls. My mom departed on 1st November and she was buried on 2nd November. It’s a significant day for us as it reminds of a very important truth of life i.e., that the earth is not a permanent place for us; but its temporary and one day we leave this place and its so essential to live a life of gratitude and leave this earth a better place for our children. I am grateful for this reminder in the beginning of the month; as it helps me to have the right perspective, having the right priorities on life.
I visited the cemeteries of my parents, my son and my other joint family members from the in laws side, this time I took my daughter with me, as I went one day before in advance as the next day was my exam.
I am grateful for my practical exam on Yoga Certification which was on 2nd November, I need to be prepared to write a two-hour theory, and then have the practicals followed by viva. I am glad that I could complete this course despite a lot of challenges – now I feel happy that I will soon have a certificate added to my resume, a new skill learnt, which I can integrate into my personal life and also help others.
I am grateful for as friends we celebrated another friend for we could not meet on her birthday; its always a great feeling to be connected with friends and be there for one another; as we meet, catch up we lift one another and find happiness in being together and sharing our journeys; as most of us are in similar field there’s understanding of the field and our work, the work that we do is a common denominator to bind us.
I am always grateful for the sudden surprises – meeting a friend at a place where I don’t expect, my daughter treating me with something that I have not eaten for a long period of time; as I have been sticking home food and one fine day she buys for me some pizza, burger and chicken sandwiches on her way back from the church, bringing smile on my face and give me a break from the regular food😊
I am grateful to meet all my classmates for an evening snack and just chill out and chit chat; there was no great reason for meeting; but we decided to meet because we want to meet and ensure that all of us are together- enjoyed and loved Dosa my favorite tiffin with so many options still my heart went out for this special south Indian dish and of course we all shared what ever we ordered and had fun.
I am grateful to God for an invitation to my sister’s house – glad I could visit her and I appreciate her for all the trouble she took in making delicious dishes, which I enjoyed and we spent a lot of time talking about our personal lives and how God has been faithful in our lives as a Protector and Provider too. I came back enriched and renewed in faith in God.
I attended the wedding of one of my school friends Girija’s granddaughter – another opportunity for the school buddies to meet at this wedding. Despite the venue being far; we reached out to one another and I am grateful for my friend Nimmi for she ensured that she dropped me back home, going out of her way to make sure that I am safe, as the wedding was far from my residence.
I am grateful for the opportunities I get at my work place; for taking session on stress management and gender sensitization for the employees of NSSO (National Survey Statistical Organization Hyderabad.) I had a good time interacting with the participants, a lot of my time went in planning for these sessions and also implementing this session. Thanks to my friend Shiv Parvathi who invited me on behalf of this organization to do this session for their field staff. I had a great time with the field staff and there was a lot of interactions and learning too.
This month I am grateful for a lot of new students for counseling and was glad to do it - some of the issues I dealt with was surprising for me, for I had never dealt challenging issues online. I had always preferred off line sessions in counseling as I was comfortable looking at the person in front of me. But due to certain limitations I agreed for online counseling despite the time zones. I was able to help which was something I never thought I could do it; for I have always avoided online counseling.
This month I took these sessions, as it was a request and surprised myself as to how well I could deal with all the issues even though I did not see their faces. I am grateful for I am in a space where I can be of help and also be relevant.
I am grateful for my good health of mind and body – for I ensured that I practiced yoga everyday in a meaningful manner as my gurus had taught me; how I need to do every stretch slowly focusing on the breath and at the end of the yoga session I am more relaxed. I tried my best to see that I ate before sunset. Ensured that I drank plenty of water through out the day. Kept myself busy with a lot of reading to do; specially that which is stimulating and inspiring.
I am grateful for plenty of opportunities for learning. As my boss keeps guiding the research scholars, sometimes she gets me involved and this time I got to look at the statistics and help her in the tables and interpretations and making summary. This was a useful exercise for me and I am glad that I am learning new skills.
“If we magnified blessings as much as we magnify disappointments, we would all be much happier”
– John Wooden
I am grateful for my friend who I consider as my soul sister; for her thoughtfulness for when she went out of town, she picked up a beautiful dress and cute little bag – I feel happy for these are small joys that one gets in life. I am feeling blessed to have friends who care and think about me even when they are out of town. I am thankful for the lovely dress and can’t wait to get that stitched for my birthday which is in December. I am excited to celebrate myself for God has been gracious to me and has always surprised me; which makes me eternally grateful.
November is a month for thanksgiving – and there is so much to be thankful for; glad to be alive, to have family that supports. The work that brings in meaning; the different people who come into my life – students, professors, mentors, friends, helpers, there is a sister who prays every day for me and our family, my yoga classmates, all those who extend their help whenever I need – the places of referrals and the service providers. One more month and 2024 is gone never to come back. I am just grateful to God for everything.
Be Blessed & Be Happy!
