September Gratitude 2023

“The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become” Robert Holden

September is a special month for me, always- as its my daughter’s birthday, the first child of my life I held in my arms, and my birthday as a first time mother too. So it’s a joy for me to write a post for this month as there is so much to share and be grateful for; this month is also birthdays of so many other children I love, my nephew’s daughter Tabitha, David’s niece Diana, my friends daughter Arushi, another friend who celebrates her birthday is Swapna, then David’s friends daughter Faustina. We remember all of them not just in our prayers, but also try and connect with them in various ways.

This month is important for me as a mental health professional for 10^th September is International Suicide Prevention Day – the centre that I am working ie., Sahayam Psychological Counseling and Wellness Centre is a place that came into existence due to suicides in the campus. 

It was during the social unrest in the year 2009 when our then Vice Chancellor decided to start this centre for the campus community to prevent ragging as well as suicides. So it’s our priority to keep doing sensitization and awareness programmes for these two months, that is September as well as October every year, we spread hope among the student community and also talk about our centre and provide them with information that is important for them, especially when they feel lost, low and suicidal.

This month I had done 3 mental health awareness programmes – in various institutions as well as one session for the ladies hostel at the campus. I am happy to move around in the campus and also outside the campus in addressing students, and simultaneously also take up individual counseling sessions at the centre.

This month Dorothy had to attend the Annual General Body Meeting at YWCA India –as she is on the National Board - this was the second meeting and was scheduled  for two days. David was very particular that she does not travel alone, and he wanted me to accompany her. So I went along with her, found a friend who stayed a little away from the city and stayed at her place till she finished her two days meeting, after that I took a chance to go around the Delhi city and also visit Agra and see the one of the wonders of the world that is the Taj Mahal.

A dream come true and I am grateful for the opportunity – it was a break time for me as I was away from the city I just relaxed, connected with my centre and kept working helping my director as she was busy with two days workshop on suicide prevention – she needed some information and statistics about the centre … thankfully I have the habit of saving important documents in Gmail so it was not very difficult to edit and forward. I am grateful for this friend who was kind and generous to accommodate for these days and we also went out together to Agra, and it was a great experience to be with a family.

I am grateful for David for helping us as we traveled – he ensured that we reached the railway station on time, and he came with us and helped us find the coach and the seat and was there till we left and on return he was ready to receive us at the station – he also took care of the house, and cooked special curry for Dorothy, as she enjoys non veg food and it was thoughtful of him to prepare good food.

I enjoyed the  dosa J at my friends place, taught them to make set dosa as well as egg dosa too. I was happy to find Hyderabad biryani in the city at a place  called the blue biryani– which was good and was served as a thaali comprising of the biryani surrounded with a sweet dish, curd mix (raita) chicken 65 and kebabs. It was quite filling and we enjoyed a good meal after going around historic sites like Qutub Minar and Humayun tomb which is a beautiful garden surrounding with tombs of the royal families of the Mughals. 

We couldn’t cover all the places as it was Monday and Lotus temple, Parliament, Rashtrapathi Bhavan and the markets were closed, with the Delhi traffic we could only manage two places and Jan path was open for some time and we just went around and since we were staying beyond city limits, we went back early and not wanting to take the risk of  get stuck in the traffic.

I am grateful for Anuja my sister in law who helped in getting some rotis and curry’s done for David in my absence; and she was helpful in coming over home to see what was required, for maintenance of the kitchen overall work as both of us were not home, there was not much cooking, and with David’s friends all around – he was always well taken care, some of his friends sent some special dishes and sometimes even dinner or lunch.  I am blessed to be surrounded with good neighbors and thoughtful friends to be able to manage the house even in my absence.

I am grateful for the work I get to do; and for an understanding Director who trusts me with this centre and believes in me more than I believe in myself – appreciate every opportunity I get at my work place to keep growing and learning. I am happy to always have something new to learn in this place and this keeps me motivated and happy too.

I am grateful for the family and friends and their concerns about me; that I can just connect with them any time of the day; and take help whenever I need – for this trip Aparna my friend was of great help, she not only booked our tickets but was constantly in touch giving all the information required, checking on me and right from the time I left Hyderabad till the time I returned. It’s a blessing to have friends who are supportive and helpful.

The weather was hot in Delhi so managed to move around; except for one day it rained but again it was only for an hour and then stopped.  The weather cooled a bit because of rain and somehow I can manage heat but with  rains its  difficult to move around. 

This month I could post some tree for the Tree lovers post; and it gives me joy to keep clicking a trees. I clicked plenty of them this month wherever I went either for the awareness programme or sightseeing. Whenever I found something beautiful and interesting I clicked those trees, greenery is something I love to be surrounded with. The place I stayed was full of greenery paddy fields and sun rise and sun sets were beautiful.

I  feel so blessed and favored by God and for everything in life and this month was great; and I am now back to my work with my routine. It’s a pleasure for me to keep counting my blessings, this keeps me happy and productive… there was also news of death of one of the persons whom I know, it was sad to hear and heart breaking to see the family suffer as it was a silent heart attack and too sudden.

Whenever I hear of these kind of news, it makes think how unpredictable life can be and it is so important to be prepared in every way possible so that family does not suffer after we leave this earth. These reminders are important for us so that we do not take life for granted and also do not take family, friends and all those who are part of our lives for granted.  

Today as I enter into another month I am thankful, grateful and blessed to have friends who celebrate me and my achievements in life, and it was a pleasure to spend time with them and humbly accept their love and affection extended to me in so many different ways. 

I thank you for reading my post and hope that September was great for you, wishing you peace and harmony to you and your family!

May you be Happy & Blessed.