“Those who have the ability to be
grateful are the ones who have the ability to achieve greatness” Steve Maraboli
I
want to be grateful for a lot of happenings this month both at the work front
as well as home. I am happy to be healthy and regularly attending work. There
has been students coming to the counseling centre, which kept me busy most of
the time –listening to a variety of issues both physically and on cell phone
and depending on the kind of call referring them to other institutions and
organisations for help. This takes time in coordination – providing ready
references, address and at the same time also being available if there are any
query.
I
am happy when I keep getting students to visit the centre. The University has
now opened and it’s a pleasure to see students all around the place. The rules
continue to be strict, no mask no entry, sanitizing hands is mandatory. There
is a security who keeps checking that social distancing is maintained..
From
the academics point of view – I have been very busy with presentations, meeting
the guide and also discussing with my fellow research scholars in making a plan
of action. We have been strictly asked
to adhere to the norms of the University, to regularly meet the guide, and
focus on our PhD work. I am grateful to God for this opportunity in my life, as
it keeps me young at heart, and makes me understand there is so much to learn
in life. It’s so interesting to be surrounded by students who are enthusiastic,
supportive and lift one another, staying in touch, calling and reminding one
another of the meetings and deadlines.
I
feel blessed to have good friends with whom I can spend some time and have some
fun. This month just before the Valentines Day which was on a Sunday; so a day
before, ie., Saturday Few of my friends
decided to just meet in the evening hours. David was busy out with his
friends, and Dorothy was attending UNIFEST – Festival of Youth and she was out
the whole day. I had work the whole day and in the evening I went out with my
classmates and friends. Each of us had our own commitments and despite our
schedules we chose to be together for few hours in the evening encouraging and
motivating one another. It was a refreshing experience, and am glad for the
Galentine’s Day.
I
am happy to have interacted with children whose parents/ or one parent is in
prison. There’s a home run for them where they are provided with basic needs and
also given education. I was invited for an hour’s session with them; there were
some 25 children from the age group of 13 to 20 years. I enjoyed listening to
them and their challenges; some questions touched my heart and I kept thinking
about it for a long time.
One
child asked me if I could teach her to control her tears… I told her that its okay to cry – and crying is
allowed, another one asked me how to control anger and some more how to focus
on studies, unable to concentrate, thinking about family etc… I gave them tips
to concentrate and spoke on study plan and at the end of the session did a
laughter therapy and I can never forget their smile and laughter. This was so
satisfying and fulfilling work that I decided to do more of these sessions and
also take help from my friends who can help these kids.
This
month my Director was very busy– there was a request programme for her to take
a session for one of the college girls on Coping with Examination amidst the
Pandemic. As she was already engaged with other commitments, she asked me to
take this session. It was a virtual session after their college hours. I agreed
and prepared myself well for this session. The response was positive, there were
a lot of fears and anxiety issues as they had to attend online classes and
exams will be conducted online... I responded to them and gave them tips to
deal with anxiety and fears.
At
home there was no helper as she had gone to her village- so managing the
household chores – thankfully David and Dorothy are helpful and reach out in
whatever ways possible, between three of us we managed quite well. I am
grateful for the gift of my daughter as she not only manages her academics,
sings in the parish choir, plays the keyboard – this month the Telugu choir
needed some help and she went out of her way to learn the Telugu songs and play
for the Telugu mass.
She
is also active volunteer in the Young Women Christian Association gets
opportunity involves herself in the youth group. With all these things she also
helps me at home and she a blessing for me and David and we are able to do our
own work peacefully. I was happy to see her painting the mite boxes song with
another volunteer who is her friend, for the YWCA which will be given to the
members for saving some money which would in turn be used for sustaining
projects wherein we have no funds.
I
watched a Telugu movie called First Rank Raju at my nephew’s place
on Amazon Prime – it was hilarious except for some silly jokes in the beginning
of the movie. I watched it as my
daughter recommended this movie and she was also with me laughing out loud. It
was very entertaining and so much fun and a satire on today’s education system
and parents unending expectations.
This
month was also beginning of lent season for us – a reminder to fast, pray and
give alms. Some how I felt that we need to do this right through the year and
not only for a season of lent. So I thought I will not fast J
and will do so when I feel like; but I was inspired by daughter who started
fasting twice a week, Wednesdays and Fridays – So I am motivated and joined her
in fasting those two days, just give up or give away one meal to the needy.
I
believe in prayers and it has helped me in many ways, changing my perceptions,
being compassionate and not to be too quick to judge and believe in the Divine
power.
Alms
giving I feel that its important especially now in the COVID 19 situation there
are so many who have lost jobs, earning less and have so many mouths to feed. I
feel we need to be sensitive to those around and do our bit of sharing.
This
month was birthday of a friend and she was in the city for her personal work.
She took this time as an opportunity and invited us for a dinner. We had a
great time meeting, wishing her and each of us took turns to affirm her. She
recorded all our shadings J to send this video to her daughters who
are settled abroad and also wants to relive these moments when she is alone at
home. Every one had something positive to talk about her, some shared incidents
of the college days, another shared some funny moments and all the mischievous things
we did as class mates. We cut a small cake and hand made card was done and
everyone wrote and presented it to her.
I
am glad Dorothy is busy, attending her online classes and she completed her
first year of the graduation; we are happy that she scored well and now
encouraging her to continue with the same zest the second year too, even though
there are challenges. She and her group of friends who support each other have
all passed.
I
am grateful the second month of 2021 which kept me busy and soon we will be
marching J
into March, 2021. There’s so much more to do – and hopefully, we are indebted to
God for the gift of good health of mind and body, which enables and empowers us
to do everything that we want to… we are thankful for all those who are
connected with us directly or indirectly and the difference they make in our
lives. Just thinking about all of them including the service providers makes me
feel rich and blessed.
I thank vidya for initiating this
process of forming a gratitude circle and inviting everyone to share the
monthly gratitude post.. If you are interested
in joining the Gratitude Circle:
Write a gratitude post,
Add the badge
Post it on the last
Thursday of the month and
Add your link to the
Gratitude Circle. https://vidyasury.com/
Thank
you for reading my post! Hope you had a Fantastic February. I would love to
hear your thoughts.
Be Happy & Be Blessed
What a lovely post Genevive thank you for sharing it. A busy month for you. I especially loved the children asking you how to control their tears, or their anger and the laughter therapy. All of your post is lovely! May March be as rewarding .. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan, its always my pleasure to hear from you. Appreciate you for constantly affirming. Glad you found this post lovely and yes I look forward to be in touch with these children and enjoy spending time with them.
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