Good Bye 2014 & Welcoming 2015

I would like to say good bye with gratitude for some very special and memorable times. I some of the things that I wanted for 2014 were:

• Take on to traveling within the city and within the state as much as possible
• Bonding with family
• Saying goodbye people and situations that influences me negatively
• Connect with some very lovable relationships that I have lost touch with
• Be academically sound, at least present one research paper
• Have some fun accepting everything in life; as it unfolds naturally finding happiness, joy and meaning with thanksgiving and gratitude….

 THANK YOU 2014 –Highlights of my life

January

Enthusiastic month - with the dawn of New Year, scheduled the first travel within the state to Medak, 90kms from Hyderabad, enjoyed visiting the famous and biggest church in the state as well as in Asia, also went around two villages, breathing in fresh air and enjoying a nutritious and delicious food.

nearby village

 

Medak Church

Friends place

February – shortest month got busy at work & trained in Supportive Supervision for Global funding programme for AIDS TB & Malaria (GFATM Round 7).Also was winding up a pilot programme on Violence Against women wherein I was part of the implementing programme through YWCA (Young Women Christian Association – Secunderabad).

My workload was recognized and an additional person was added to the Psychological Counseling centre, which was a positive experience for me; as I had another person with me to share counseling concerns and also to distress myself when I clientele load was high.

 

Grand finale of the pilot programme

March

Final exams for my daughter; and she was down with chicken pox; and despite all the issues of notes, and gap in the class room learning, she managed to do her exams well and did not have any issue with attendance, as she was regular to school throughout the year.

April – exciting month for blogging – I participate in the A-Z Blogging connected with a variety of bloggers, a lot of interactions, learning and enthusiasm in blogging.. Traveled to pune to connect with some of our relatives, a time of fun, recalling and reliving memorable events of the past, enjoying good food, visiting all the loved ones….. back home celebrating Easter

Aghakhan palace at Pune

May – Attended a wedding party at Novatel, Vizag, took opportunity to visit the city and also take a break at Borra Caves and Aaraku valley ….  There was also 10 days Vacation Bible School for my daughter followed by another 7days summer camp at Sacred Space at Secunderabad

Vizag city

June – We got back to academics, school reopens for my daughter, me busy with my regular work at the University and David’s scheduled visit to the Vipassana meditation centre at Hyderabad beyond city limits. Attended refresher training programmes at my work place…

July – we got involved in family events and celebrations, I had supervision visits – meeting the deadlines at office; and also a city tour with the David’s prayer group, wherein we went around the city for a full day and had some fun with jolly rides.. it was enjoyable..

Charminar at Hyderabad

Nehru Zoological park

August – there were too many activities at my workplace, a workshop on cross cultural issues in counseling was organized, and it was very inspiring; there was also a book launch on social psychology by prof. E G Parmeshwaran, a renowned author; and there was also a travel for David to Vijayawada for a death anniversary of his relative; and back again preparation for my daughter’s birthday in the coming month..  

Dream valley resort .. enjoyed swimming here

Lunch at Dream valley resort with friends

September – my daughter’s birthday, a very special day for us, also celebration of mother Mary’s feast, a challenging month as I got an invite and opportunity to attend a “National Workshop on Counseling Initiatives and Recent Trends in varied settings”  First time I attempted to  make a paper presentation on Counseling women in violence, and it was great learning experience…

Maria's Birthday with nathu & tabu - my nephew sunny's kids

October  - it was a holiday time for my daughter… so time for a break, chose to move around the places in our city; and were happy to spend time at Shilparaman..  went out for lunch at Hyderabad house for the traditional biryani.

wedding anniversary dinner

Shilparaman - tribal set up

November – stressful period in the family, death of my brother in law who passed away after being sick for a long time, leaving two small kids. David was kind and generous to help this family, in helping them not only cope with the loss, but also offering moral support to them on one side, and enabling his mom to find a space for herself; as it was her choice to live on her own……

December – season of hope, joy and celebrations of Christmas that brings in cheer and good news, and motivates me to celebrate my birthday with gratitude….another opportunity to attend a National workshop on mental health & well being in schools.  I was happy to present another paper on A Proactive approach to Mental Health & Well Being, Focus on High School Students. I just desired to do one paper this year, and I ended up doing two…. feeling confident to do more such meaningful exercises. 

Christmas 2014

Throughout the year, David gets busy with organizing prayer meeting in the parish, once a month, every 4^th Sunday – preparing for the day, practicing hymns with children, getting them ready for mass, and last year he was also invited to sing at a music channel (SubhSandesh), newly introduced for Hindi speaking - melodious songs in Hindi were composed with the help of Mr Francis who is very good in playing all the instruments..

We also said goodbye to a few relationships that were toxic, in order to protect ourselves from being manipulated; we are grateful for some very bad experiences within the extended family circle, as it made our eyes open to certain realities of life, which otherwise would not have come to the surface… yet at the same time giving ourselves the permission to feel the anger, pain, resentment and letting go all the negative experiences, in order to forgive. (may not be easy to forget).

free images from google

We have no ill feelings towards those who have harmed us and attempted to break our family… we in fact thank them for helping us to see our contribution (wherein we have allowed and blindly trusted, person to take advantage of us).

Now we take responsibility in learning and moving on to focus on what really matters in our life for us as individuals and also as a family. We are glad that despite the storms we are together nurturing one another’s goal, supporting and standby each other to deal with every crisis in the family, and leaving all toxic behind to start the fresh New Year 2015... no fixed agenda… but just doing what we love to…. hoping to travel more.. have more Friends and Fun…, enjoy holidays… do our best in whatever we undertake, academics… career and take life as it comes… staying positive and grateful all through….

Happy New Year 2015!!

May you be Happy & May you be blessed

Thank Diana for choosing me for  the interview at womensweb…

www.womensweb.in/2014/10/genevive-angela-counsellor-in-india/

There is so much more..... and too many photographs still for sharing...  tried to put it sequence ..  I do not want to make this post too long, all I want to convey is my gratitude for 2014 for everything .... and welcoming 2015 !!!
Love to all !!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MYSELF !!!

A card for myself 

Today I woke up with Gratitude in my heart; it’s a day reminding me of the day I was born…. Bringing memories to let me know how adorable and lovable I am.

Thanking my mom who always remembered and made me feel special, she has celebrated every birthday of mine; getting new clothes for me; preparing my favorite breakfast, lunch and dinner, entertaining my friends; storing jasmines for me in the fridge and reminding me constantly not to forget to put it on my hair; ensured that I had matching bangles to match the color of my frock; blessing me and keeping me happy.

She had a good memory and would even come home after I got married; and had my own kids, she was still there for my birthdays… today I know she is praying for me and smiling from above, as I pick up a new dress, wear the matching earings, bangles, clip my hair with a colorful band and look at myself in the mirror smiling with gratitude and walk towards the church, thanking the Lord for all that He has done in my life; I lift up my heart and soul in thanksgiving to begin my day.

My father used to offer mass for me on my birthday and pray for my wellbeing, I feel thankful for the gift of faith which I got it from him, my dad taught me to trust in the Lord at all times; and encouraged me to read the bible and was proud of my involvement in the activities of the church.

Today there are so many persons who has been a great source of strength in my life; and I would not have reached where I am today without the  help of all these lovely relationships at different stages of my life… and I continue to make new relationships as I keep moving on in gratitude…

To all the beautiful people out there … my family, friends, colleagues, teachers, spiritual guides, guruji’s, authors and every person whom I have met in the last 50 years - thanks for accompanying me in my life’s journey.

I appreciate you for enabling me find myself, thank you for all the learning’s, inspiration and motivation you have provided me and still continue to affirm me right through the year…. am happy and full of joy… wanting to share everything I am blessed with.

I recommit myself to the Lord; Love and Accept myself and continue my journey with renewed strength to keep discovering the meaning and the purpose of my life…. Making a difference where ever I am..

Thank you!! Be Happy!!

Gratitude for the month!!

This post was written for the Gratitude Circle; now that the decision is made to make a post on December 31^st, 2014… I felt it would be appropriate, if I can do another post for the last day of 2014, which would be a review of the year, my experiences & learning’s and the way I plan to move on in my life… of course with gratitude and commitment finding myself in a new way in this journey and also taking inspiration from the gratitude circle..

I am grateful to have a new neighbor, who is simple, genuine and much focused in her work. She has also become my walking buddy!  Every day we walk together in the early hours for an hour; praying together, praying for one another, encouraging and motivating one another to keep up the time for walking. We also share a cup of coffee, it’s a blessing to have a good neighbor who shares your values; and who is also very positive in her approach.

Also thankful for my colleague and friends who are truly a blessing; they discuss and bring the best in me in all the academic related activities, interacting with them, gaining knowledge and skill to progress academically.

Glad for them in my life for they  inspire me to do some research oriented presentations, which I am learning to enjoy exploring new ways to do more such stimulating presentations. It’s because of them I was able to evolve a paper on Mental Health among high school students at IASE – Institute of Advance Study Education, Osmania University.

I pushed myself to present a theoretical paper on Mental Health and Well Being in school, with a focus on High school children, it was inspiring and a learning experience for me….I am happy to do everything I am interested and want to; thus eliminating all those aspects and persons who drain my energy….

Back home – am glad for my husband who is ever supportive in all that I do, observing my interest he installed the internet connection, so that I do not have to struggle to go out at the internet centre for browsing, posting. Now I can even complete important official reports from home.  I was feeling sick for few days because of the change in weather (cold & cough); had to compel myself to rest; David ended up doing all the work at home, which is truly a blessing to have a husband who is caring and very good at handling the kitchen.

My daughter is a blessing and is very good at the internet, and helps me if I have any issues of the computer. I am also thankful to God for the courage he has given my daughter to learn to ride on her own; it was very surprising now that she is tall and can touch the ground sitting on my bike – within two weeks she mastered the art of driving, I was wondering whom to contact to help her teach riding, as I was not confident in teaching her to ride… now I go to pick her up from the bus stop on the bike, and she rides home back, while I walk behind her. (She is not yet 18 and I don’t want her to ride on the busy road)

I am at home for Christmas; with my family, which was a quiet one, having a few family friends home, and then meeting a few of my daughter’s friends late in the evening. 

Merry Christmas !!!

My Reflection of Christmas!!

Christmas has definitely taken a new meaning for me this year, I am beginning to understand that real joy comes from

·         Being authentic and genuine to oneself and others;  

Sharing not only what one has in terms of gifts and money

But also sharing of time

Being generous in sharing knowledge and skills to those who need the most;

Letting go of the negative experiences in the past;

Being grateful for the present blessings

Enjoying the present moments,

Being kind, compassionate

Forgiving (even though it is difficult to forget)

Spreading peace and harmony in my own dwelling and around me. 

·         In a way just de cluttering my mind and my house in order to be fresh and free as I walk in gratitude my journey in the coming year 2015.

As a family we are also happy, for helping my mother in law to live on her own; she always wanted her space, to cook on her own, to have her children coming in to see her and grandchildren to spend time with her….. . I appreciate David my husband for fulfilling her wish in the last part of her journey…….. though I could not help my mom to have a space of her own, which she desperately desired and died heartbroken, I take comfort by helping  David’s mom to create a space of her own. 

It makes me happy to see David in and out of his mother’s house; ensuring that she is comfortable, and has her meals on time, cooking her favourite dishes and offering her full support and at the same time also helping me at home with all the household work.

The message of Christmas is clear “Peace and Good will to all “. I gently detoxify myself of all thoughts, people and relationships, events & negative situations that are interfering in my life, and move on and live a life full of meaning and purpose.

I refill myself with love, peace and harmony in this season to begin a new by reframing my thoughts, beliefs and the way I see everything around me, in order to be and become what I am meant to be here on earth.

2014 is a quiet Christmas, with absolutely no stress /pressure to clean, decorate, make sweets out of compulsion, shop mindlessly, buy cards, pushing myself to do all those things because I have to do. I love the way Corinne displayed the quote “Christmas is a State of mind” how true! I agree with this definition, and would like to celebrate Christmas every day with having the right state of mind, which is positive, and being kind, compassionate and generous right through the year, rather than waiting for Christmas.

May you have a meaningful Christmas too!

Be Happy & Be Blessed!!

 

Note: I am grateful for the images and quotes of authors who have created ....

Happy Birthday Emmanuel!

Emmanuel dancing at a function

8 December, 2014 is Emmanuel’s birthday.  Mario Emmanuel my son who is no more would have been 11 years old.  This year I chose to celebrate happily as I moved on in life; and seen greater problems at the counseling centre; which has made my sorrow small. 

I have also been practising gratitude regularly making it a 24 /7 habit and now in the process of mastering the art; I recommend every student who come to our centre to practice gratitude. The magic in practising gratitude is that; it raises our energy and keeps us all the time happy in life; and it also impacts everything we do in our lives. 

images from Google

I write this post with a lot of gratitude and feel quite honoured for having had my son with me for seven years… 

I thank God for privilege he had given me to be his mom and helped me and my family experience his presence; truly I can say with faith that “EMMANUEL” was with us, an experience of God himself lighting up our lives; sharing love, joy, peace & happiness … his needs were so simple, his laughter so infectious, his smile so sweet, his language was a kiss, a hug, a warm embrace….. So human and energy so high transforming all of us from within.

So this year on his birthday we chose to cut a cake; and share what we had with the less privileged children, visited his grave, spent quiet time in prayer and surrounded ourselves with fellowship meal and thanksgiving ….

Be Blessed & Be Happy 

Giving Tuesday !!

Free image from Google

Today I woke up with the thought of “GIVING” while I believe we must always be ready to give and share what we have with those around us; we are blessed enough so that we give and share with others all our blessings.

Today I made a deliberate decision to join in with the global day of giving; I made of list of all that I can give for the whole day as an individual:

I sorted out my daughters clothes which are in good condition and can be reused; and made bags to give away to persons who cannot afford to buy clothes.

I have not been using sarees and I have a cupboard full of them; which are not in use; I picked up a few and gave away to the lady who works in my office, thus brought a smile to her face…

I visited a patient today to let the patient know; how important he is and he deserves my attention.

I wrote an appreciation note to my colleague and surprised her with a small gift; and told her today is the day of giving…. Hence pass on this information to others.

I sent a comforting note on whatsapp to one of my friend who is un well and feeling low….and assured the family of my prayers.

End of the day, I decided to make a small post of giving and share it with everyone!!! I rest with gratitude singing St Francis of Assissi’s song….. Sending vibes of love, forgiveness and peace to all those who surround  me …..

May you be inspired!