Gratitude Post – FEBRUARY 2022

“Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling”Henry Van Dyke

This is the  shortest month of the year, and I had some breathing space, after all the virtual programmes at work place with different time zones,  it was time to report and settle every bill and ensure that all the programmes had a closure.  Here goes my blessings of this month and I am counting them one by one J (a song called count your blessings keeps ringing in my years, as I write this post)

I am grateful to have met one of my student who came for counseling at the centre, seven years ago. He told me how much he has improved grown and now doing well in his life. He came with a box of sweets as a sign of his appreciation for me. Listening to his experiences was such a pleasure and I was motivated to do better and also felt that the little things that we do for others makes a huge difference….. I felt a sense of happiness, fulfillment and comfort that I am meant to be here and this is my call in life.

There was death of a priest who was very simple and generous with his time. I was grateful to have met him, for he spent all his life in our country serving, praying, teaching and reaching out to so many. I am blessed to have met their beautiful person and listen to his sermons and interpretations of the parables from the bible.

This month was also David’s retirement from his service, having served in the army for 17 years and now 25 years at the Accountant General’s office,  it was time to bid good bye to his workplace. He had a difficult life and by God’s grace and people around him he survived every challenge, hence he was feeling grateful for all those people who have been part of his journey. So he decided to give a thanks giving meal to extended families, friends and also his colleagues, at this work place.

This month there was so much to celebrate and be thankful. We had thanksgiving prayer, mass and fellowship meal in the first week with family and friends, another one where he thanked and shared his personal journey in life, appreciating each and every person who have been with him at  his office . Then there was farewell given by every department he worked with in his office and a formal farewell by the office.

I am glad for all these experiences as it was overwhelming to see how far we have come as individuals and also as a family, am grateful for all these moments which are now memories and reliving them not only brings joy but strengthens my faith in the Divine giving me courage to move on no mater what happens, always to trust God and believe in self that all things work together for greater good in our lives.

I am grateful for the care and support from my loved ones, especially my two sister in laws who are constantly checking on us and ready to help and reach out; for sharing delicious curries and for the surprise snacks, especially when you are a working women and managing your work, home and your own career & academics – it’s a happiness and luxury to just come back from work and do nothing but enjoy a cup of tea with these snacks and to have curries readily available so the time in the kitchen is limited..

I am grateful that in this month we took a short trip to Bangalore for a couple of days at Infant Jesus shrine, for David is particular about visiting shrines, offering prayers and thanksgiving. He is a regular visitor at this place and this time he wanted us to accompany him and join him in thanksgiving prayers and mass. We had a restful and relaxing time as we only ate, prayed and rested well.

I am grateful that I extended my birthday celebration this month, with few more friends, who work in the similar field of counseling.  I was thankful for all these friends with whom I constantly interact and some times refer some of my clients to them as they deal with domestic violence specifically and they have a good network with she team and police and legal desk.

I am grateful that I could visit one of my friends at Bangalore. As her sister was particular that I meet her. I went along with David and Dorothy to meet them, and we joined for dinner; I appreciate the thoughtfulness, warmth and hospitality we experienced for few hours in the evening and feel blessed to have good friends.

I am grateful that this month we were all healthy and no problems; it’s a blessing to stay healthy and get back to routine. David was busy with work and also attending all the farewells, Dorothy was busy attending college, completing assignments and also taking breaks in between to join for all the farewell parties and thanksgiving events.

I managed quite well with my regular commitments at the counseling centre; ensuring my availability on phone in case of emergencies, took up a couple  telecounseling sessions, kept working at my thesis everyday as much as possible.

I am grateful that I could take some time out to watch a movie Gangubhai Khathyawadi, a true story of lady born in a educated family, but sold in a brothel by her husband; and the experiences she has and how later on in life becomes a mafia queen. I enjoyed watching this movie as it was inspiring and it was great to watch Alia Bhatt performing, she is a great artiste and it’s a pleasure to watch sanjay leela bhansali’s films.

This movie was not planned but just happened as one of our distant friends has purchased two tickets and they could not go, due to unavoidable circumstances so being the weekend, the tickets were just given to me J I took this opportunity and watched it with my sister in law. I am grateful for these kinds of surprises as I wanted to watch, due to my own commitments I gave up the desire as I was busy with work and my thesis. Some of these small pleasures bring in joy and happiness… and I keep smiling as to how these things just happen.

I am grateful for all the service providers, the person who brings milk every day at our door step, the person who delivers newspaper, the person who maintains the house neat and clean so that I don’t have to do it, the regular water supply and person who delivers the provisions, all these are important services and we are dependent on them.

Above all I thank and appreciate all of friends and those who are far away for their constant prayers and encouraging words. Its pure joy to be talking to long distance friends sometimes I feel they are more connected to you that those who live nearby J

Thank you for reading my post, writing this post has helped me the most in staying positive and happy.  Do share your thoughts.

Happy women’s day J

May all of us be  Happy & Blessed!