Gratitude Goodbye For 2024

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance” Eckhart Tolle

I had been eagerly looking forward to make this post; thanks be to God that I could make it today, with determination to write I managed to accomplish a lot with my regular commitment to work, myself, and my relationships. I am feeling overwhelmed to make this post today as we complete the year 2024 and have already welcomed  2025 few days ago… I am not just looking at the month of December but all the 365 days that I have lived my life and every small little thing I have accomplished. 

Here are some of the things I want to be thankful:

I am grateful for the opportunity to do an Impact Evaluation for a project implemented in Telangana along with a friend as a qualitative researcher. I was happy to be associated and thankful for all the experiences and learning’s

The year gone by began with a travel to Trichy (Tamilnadu) wherein I attended the South East Region Meeting of the Young Women Christian Association. Grateful and glad to travel right in the beginning of  the month along with young women.

I am grateful for all the Guest lectures that was offered to me from different colleges on various topics from their syllabus; and also at the Universities that gave me opportunity to be the external examiner in conducting exams and viva voce.  It was an opportunity to get back to academics and be in touch with the subject so that I could prepare and deliver those classes assigned to me.

I am grateful for having interacting with the student’s right through the year, listening, reaching out, helping them with their problems, also referring them to other services as and when required and see them doing well when they come back to thank is great feeling.

I am grateful to my family especially my daughter Maria Dorothy who has always been helpful to me as she managed her own academics, she was also reaching out to me as I underwent cataract surgery for both of my eyes. I am glad I recovered well and got lovely spectacles for reading. Dorothy was all the time with me accompanying me for the visits, and taking care of my eyes, setting timer for the drops and she is truly a blessing to me.

I am grateful for my friends who were there with me during the surgery and also post surgery. My gratitude to my HOD for granting me the space and the time required to heal and constantly checking on me and even was at the centre during my absence. I thank God for all the people surrounding me and everything was perfectly timed.

I am grateful to God for I could complete my Master’s in Philosophy this year – did my assignments before my surgery and after my surgery I had the final exams; thanks to my classmates who kept in touch with me regularly and providing me all the information with regards to the assignment submission and the scheduled exams.

I am grateful for this year I survived viral fever and severe ear infections which was very painful, but then I am happy for the doctor, Dorothy who was also there for me and helped me to come of this problem. I am thankful to God for healing me and helping me to get back to my routine.

I am happy and grateful for the gift of my beautiful daughter Maria Dorothy for being a blessing in my life; not just attending to me in my difficult moments; but managed to write her own assignments, complete her PG exam, and attended a National Board Meeting at Delhi, travelled by herself independently managing her life. I am happy that she sings in the choir and is helpful in the parish.

I am also grateful that this year I enrolled myself for a Diploma in Yoga – which is offered by the University under Ministry of Ayush – it’s a recent one and I was in batch two with around 120 students. Luckily the surgery was over and I was able to attend all the classes which were on weekends, and compulsory to attend the theory and practicals.  I thank God for guiding me to complete this Certificate Course that adds value to my career- as I integrate all these aspects in my counseling.

I am also grateful for my friend who completed her 34 years of service in State Audit department – a long journey despite all odds and challenges in both personal and professionally life. I was glad to attend her retirement function at her place and it was a touching experience to listen about the experiences of the staff who have been working with her. I came home inspired by her long journey.

I am grateful for some of the functions we attended as a family – for weddings, first holy communion in extended family, silver weddings, golden weddings, funerals and thanksgiving services, that not only helped me to stay socially connected but also gave me a break from my routine.

I and David completed 25 years of our married life. It’s been a very long journey I am grateful to God for His love and faithfulness in being part of our journey and for empowering us to be true our calling. I have always enjoyed my space and continue in evolving and fulfilling our purpose in life.

December is a wonderful month and my favorite festival has always been Christmas. I always loved this season and would look forward to celebrating. The important reason is not just the birth of Jesus but also my own birthday that arrives after few days in this season. 

I am glad to celebrate one more year added to my life-grateful for family and friends and every person who is part of my professional and personal life, for my experiences of joy and learning. I am eternally thankful to God for every day of 2024 for His grace that I rode safely everywhere in the city and felt protected and safe.

There are so many more things to be grateful for; I keep counting my blessings every day and this attitude has not just kept me happy; but had helped even in my tough times. I trust God to lead me to the highest purpose of my life and I continue to journey with gratitude..

Thank you for reading my post!  Happy Christmas & Happy New year !

May you be Happy and Blessed!