Living A Life Of Gratitude: Gratitude Post -February, 2023

“Gratitude is the single most important ingredient to living a successful and a fulfilled life” Jack Canfield

I am glad to write this post today completing 60 days of the year 2023. The month of February just slipped by being the shortest month of the year. There is so much to be thankful for and here goes my gratitude list as it comes to my mind, no particular order but just whatever t has impacted me and to the extent that I can recall J

I am grateful to attend a retirement function and also a wedding anniversary of one of our close friends, who have been supportive to David especially singing in the choir and leading the praise and worship session. I am glad that they are together for more than 3 decades and we as a family joined them in thanking the Lord for his mercy and compassion. These functions touch me to the core as I observe the journey of our friends and their faith in God is inspiring.

I am also grateful for the birthdays, this month there were a couple of birthdays – one in the extended family and another one was my close friend(we studied together). These days are great reminders for me, as to be live is the greatest miracle and as another year gets added to our lives, it’s a moment of not just grace but gratitude too. I am glad to be surrounded by friends who are kind and trustworthy too.

This month was my work anniversary on the 14^th of February. Just the thought of me completing 12 long years of my service in the campus was a overwhelming emotion. I just couldn’t believe that I have been in this place for such a long period of time. This place has given me so much that I will always remain eternally grateful. While I recall the time that I joined Sahayam Psychological Counseling Centre – some flashback with gratitude J

I was not sure whether I would be able to serve the campus community, because of the one big reason that I had just lost my son and within a period of 45 days I joined this place, meaning to say I was still grieving and was totally shattered and depressed. I made all the possible changes of my life for my son who needs special attention and he was no more. I felt like I was on the cross roads of life not knowing what to do and where to go and even what type of work I must take up. Hence this place provided opportunity for me to heal myself.

While I kept listening to the problems of the students, counseling them and giving them tips for motivation, encouragement, enabling them to make small changes to deal with their issues, I found that there were bigger problems to deal with. What I was dealing within myself was much smaller compared to problems outside. I got busy and involved listening and helping those who came to the centre. At the same time I had opportunity to do some physical activity too, so I took membership from the swimming pool and every day for two full years I enjoyed swimming, and I learnt to swim so well that I could participate in the aquatic competitions too, this exercise helped me to function better and also during summer I could even teach my daughter to swim.

The work place came with academic opportunities too, and I could complete one more Post graduation course, and also joined the Master Trainers ‘Programme for HIV & AIDS, Training in assessment and understanding of Substances related issues. I was happy to be involved in facilitating sessions and opportunities for counseling supervision.

I look at all the above with gratitude in my heart for everything my work place offered me and still continues to build me; one of biggest achievement I feel is that completion of my PhD thesis. I not only feel thankful, but also happy and blessed for everything that life offered me in the last 12 years at my work place. I am grateful to my Director Dr C Beena who provided me opportunities to grow and also gave me freedom and space to update my skills and continue my education. Added to all this my daughter too completed her studies moving on to whatever she wants to and interested to do. There’s so much more stability in terms of work, financial health and career progress.

February 14^th being the Valentine’s Day – I was glad to receive a small little gift from my daughter, along with a lovely letter appreciating me and affirming. More than those gifts the letter was precious and I kept it safe and read it whenever I feel like reading; I feel happy and amused that my little girl has grown up to be a lovely lady writing such deep and sentimental notes.

Grateful for enough meaningful work to be occupied while there is so much happening around the world and so many losing jobs due to recession it’s a blessing to have work that inspires and motivates me to get out off my bed and show up every day to work.

I am also glad to meet my cousin after almost 3 decades and it was such a beautiful experience catching up with her. I could not attend my aunt’s death anniversary celebrations due to my prior academic commitments; hence this was a great opportunity to connect and enjoy the memories of the past with gratitude. We visited the shrine and spent some time in the prayer hall which has a great ambiance to connect with self. I am grateful for all these experiences in life which I value dearly.

This month we invited the newlywed couple i.e., my niece Nissi & her husband Jayakar home for a meal. It was nice that she spent some time with us on a holiday; and we could just talk about our families as he is a new entry in our extended family. There was delicious food on the table and there were funny stories to laugh and faith experiences to share, looking at some of the old family pictures and the events behind every picture. Dorothy was happy as she loves to have people home and enjoys conversations.

This month I went for a eye check up as it was due for January, but I could not make it due to my busy schedule so I took appointment for this month. I am grateful that there is nothing I should be worried about in terms of my eyes. The doctors have told me to keep checking every six months and my number has changed, so a need for a new spectacles. Grateful to get a new one and my vision is also clear with the new glasses.

I am happy to visit the beauty parlor and get the pedicure done. I enjoy the service of the girls who are not just kind but so gentle; and they do a great job of not just cleaning up the feet, but massage as well which is such a pleasure, especially when they soak my feet with warm water which eases my pain and feel grateful for my legs that carry me everywhere not just my work place but to the church, to the market, shop, and where ever I desire to go. It’s a great blessing to be able to move around and lead a active, independent life. My bike is the another big blessing to support and save so much of my time and I am able to accomplish more and be productive.

This month there was “Galantines” day at the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA of Secunderabad). I am grateful to be associated with this NGO(Non Governmental Organisation) wherein we often meet to be of service and sometimes for building each other with prayer, fun, food and laughter. The dress code was pink/red and all the ladies brought a variety of sandwiches to share with each other with tea. There were games, tombola, some dancing, making reels, clicking pictures and connecting with each other.