“ When we are grateful we
affirm that a source of goodness exists in our lives” Robert A Emmons (1958)
PC.Maria Dorothy |
The first day of the
month was my mother’s 15th death anniversary, bringing memories of
her love, kindness and generosity and all the conversations that she had just
before she passed away. They say time is
the best healer; I would say gratitude is the best healer for dealing with
grief. I made her favorite breakfast Puri and Vada both south Indian dishes she
was an expert in cooking and it was a pleasure for me to attempt to make it in
her memory.
The next day was holy
soul’s day – a tradition of the Catholic Church that reminds the certainty of
death and to acknowledge the souls that have walked on this earth- remembering them
in the family and community, visiting the graveyards and paying tribute to
them. So myself David and Dorothy visited the cemeteries of our families which are
in different places at Hyderabad and in the process also met quite a lot of
extended family members, its also a place to connect as most the people we get
to meet here who have also come to pay tribute to their loved ones.
Flowers to pay tribute to the souls that left the earth |
This month I watched a Hindi movie – Badhaaiho which means congratulations in Hindi- it’s all about a couple in their 50’s having unplanned pregnancy, the embarrassment caused in the family as they have grown up children, and the eldest being the marriageable age, the movie is – funny and humorous as it been scripted well. I am thankful for my friends for choosing this movie and even booking the tickets, it was worth watching and I had a great time.
This month I am also
glad to have picked up the book on “Power of Gratitude by “enjoyed reading this book. I felt inclined
to do a separate post on this book. Few more pages left and I hope to complete
this book by the end of the month. It’s a challenge that I took in the
beginning of the year to myself to read at least one book a month, feeling
quite happy that I am reaching the target.
I have always wanted to
write; somehow never happened as its easy for me type and put it in the folder
so that end of the month I could just edit a little and post. I am happy for
the decision I made to pick up two books one for gratitude and another one for
inspiration. I am happy to have started the gratitude journal from this month –
and have jotted down quite a lot of inspirations for myself and hoping to
maintain these books for life J
I am thankful for the inspiration I get from various speakers and bloggers, so
many of them as I keep randomly reading on various topics.
This month I am
grateful to David for the loud alarm in the house; which has renewed my
commitment to rise up early, which means I have started walking again in the
park nearby, and so happy that I am still keeping it up and feel quite motivated to continue in the
early hours and park is well kept and there are stone benches where I sit for a
while and just enjoy the company of myself opening to the warmth of the early
morning rays of the run- getting my quota of vitamin D J I have learnt to manage myself quite well this month –
making time for all that I am interested to do – meditate, read, pray and
practice yoga.
This month I am
grateful for the outing we could make it with my nephews family to a resort,
enjoyed the day in the pool playing with the kids, the food was great and am
glad to be able eat with mindfulness deliberately making choices in what the
body requires J
and also cheating a little on the deserts J
and clicking plenty of pictures of all these lovely moments which is now a
memory.
This month was
Deepawali – festival of lights and there was plenty of food and sweets from all
our neighboring friends – it’s a blessing to live in a place where you have
people who are generous and sharing. I am grateful for the trust we have with our
neighbors – we can leave the empty gas cylinder outside and give money to our neighbors
requesting them to keep the exchange cylinder as all three of are out full day
and house is locked. Our letters, courier anything by post is also safely
handed over. On festivals there is so much of exchange of whatever is made; the
lights were lit by David and fruity too joining them in decorating our area. I
feel lucky to be surrounded by good neighbors.
I am grateful for the
helper in my house; who comes home regularly to sweep, dust, swob and maintain
the house neat and tidy. My kitchen is also well kept and it gives me joy to cook
when everything is neatly kept – my thanks to the lady who consistently keeps
cleaning and ensures that it’s well kept.
This month I attended a
couple of meetings at the #Ywcaofsecunderabad where I volunteer and I am glad
to join for the World Week of Prayer that usually falls in this month, with a
theme to reflect. This year’s theme was “Youth Empowerment for Good”. I could
attend this meeting in both the Hyderabad YWCA and the Secunderabad too. It’s always nice to reflect and remind ourselves
that we are created for Good and there’s a purpose for our lives- and it’s our
responsibility to search and evolve transforming ourselves to what we were
created for; as we journey along facing challenges and overcoming them we must
also lift up those around us and l am lucky to be surrounded by the young
people in the campus to be available to them and to be challenged by their
stories and in the process enable and empower them for good.
I am thankful for the lunch
I had in my nephew sunny Emmanuel’s house – as he left for better prospects to
another country. I could spend some time with their family, as Dorothy had
college and David was busy – I could find time to be with the kids and listen
to their conversations J.
The Sunday’s of
this month were very relaxing and felt rested well – I could even visit a home for
children in difficult situations, mostly girls in order to see if there was anything I could do… I
have always wanted to reach out to do whatever I can to make a small difference…
I took a ride one of the Sundays and even visited our popular park in our areaJ clicked some
beautiful pictures and on my way home stopped by at my mother in laws place for
a small chat.
I also feel very privileged
to be able to earn and spend money – it’s a big blessing as I see and come
across so many women, despite earning well do not have the financial freedom
due to abuse relationships and at other times because of low self concept
wherein they feel everybody else is important and they do not think about
themselves and sacrifice their dreams and desire for the sake of family or a
particular relationship. This month I
was happy to go for a pedicure and pamper my hands /feet and face tooJ I even picked up a comfortable slipper for myself to take
care of my feet.
I am also grateful that
my daughter Dorothy is practicing songs on the key board. I am happy to see her
interest and commitment in wanting to learn and sing.
This month I escaped a
fall twice when I tried turning my bike; and both the times only the bike fell
and I was safe. First time it was inside a shed where I parked my bike an my daughter
was there to help me, second time it was just near my residence outside the
gate and my neighbor helped me, grateful
that despite these happenings I still continue to ride safely.
This month I was happy
to interact with one of my old colleague, we worked together and it was such a
pleasure talking about our experiences. There was another colleague, it was an
international call we had a lovely chat, did not even realize that I have been
speaking to her for more than an hour. Some friends are so sweet we do not have
to talk every day, but we can speak to them any day and still be very
connected.
This month there were
two birthdays – am grateful to both of my friends, who were very loving, kind
and generous – I prayed and wished them for their birthdays.
I am grateful to
participate in the tree love post; and posted on both the second and 4th
Thursday of this month.
I am glad I am completed
my gratitude post today. I am waiting for tomorrow for another post that speaks
about people who shine brightly despite all odds in dispelling darkness.
On the whole I am
grateful for this month that there was so much to be sad about as the month
began I missed my mom and my son and as this month unfolded I had so many
things to be thankful for – the book on gratitude kept me focused; and the
journal that I started this month writing gratitude helped me to be consistent
and checked my attitude each time I found myself feeling low and unhappy.
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How was your November ? would love to hear from you:)
Be Blessed & Be a Blessing!
Loved reading this Genevive thank you. Yes, although the month started out sad, you had the ritual of making your mother's favourite foods. Keeping a gratitude journal is really worth it as I have found out. I also had two nearly serious trip ups and believe me I was so grateful that it was all ok! Your friends are also grateful for having you as friend as I am too ..xx
ReplyDeleteOh my Susan:) hugs to you. Thank you for always being so consistent in affirming me, it means a lot to me. I am so happy that you loved reading my post. Thank God all ok with you despite the two serious trip ups.. I remember reading about those in one of your post. I am grateful for your presence here... and feel so honored to be visited by a spiritual friend, for I learn so much from your blog and the interactions there... thanks friend, love you.
DeleteWow!!! What an abundant November you had Geneive. Happy to read about so many positive things.
ReplyDeleteAmazing to read how you turned a painful day into a happy one by remembering your mom in such a terrific way.
It's very difficult to get up early and i commend your determination to be on a Fitness regime.
Stay blessed and wish you a great December
Thank you Shalz, love your comments and appreciate you for affirming me ... you made my day after few tired sessions, its so pleasant to shift your focus and read comments. I have always been an early riser and I just love the morning freshness in the park within minimal noise:) You may be an evening person... so explore evenings..
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