The city I live in blesses us with regular doses of allergens and the 'flu or some version of it, the upshot of it being regular doses of sickness. We take it in our stride, just like our doctors, who, when we meet them and mention a cold and cough, just brush it aside and ask us what's really wrong. You know what I mean? The cold/cough/'flu/strep throat are all in a day's work.
And so it was, for us, at home. We suffered not-so-quietly physically, but were mentally at peace. We were grateful to have a cozy home to recouperate in. We were grateful to be able to get medication to help us on our way to recovery. We were infinitely grateful for home-delivered vegetables and groceries that enabled us cook healthy food and nourish our bodies.
While the rains lashed our city, as well as our neighbor, Chennai, we considered ourselves fortunate to stay dry, and did what we could in our community to distribute warm clothes and sheets and other extras to the street people who have to mostly make do with any newspapers they could get hold of. My mission is to continue doing this the year round, but especially throughout winter which stretches until January. I am grateful to be able to do this even if it is a drop in the ocean.
Happy to have celebrated a very different Diwali this year, opting to celebrate by giving and making a difference in lives.
The 'flu gave me a chance to take stock and spend time offscreen, stepping away from the digital life. I set up my pillows on my comfy sofa and vegged out in front of my TV, watching a series of flop movies as I drifted in and out of fever, semi-consciousness and bursts of writing. As busy as October was, meeting people, this month was a quiet one and I am grateful for this phase.
I am actually on track with NaBloPoMo on my other blog, Coffee With Mi and also managed to sail past the 50000 words of NaNoWriMo on November 20. I am grateful I was motivated to write.
Last week, quite unexpectedly, I got a couple of books I had been yearning to read. So timely. I am filled with gratitude for this.
A dear friend of ours was kind enough to invite Vidur whose 18th birthday was on November 23 and present him with a birthday cake. We were sad we weren't together, but under the circumstances, we're grateful we did the best we could. I am also grateful for the outpouring of love from my friends on Facebook. We are eagerly looking forward to having him home for the holidays in December.
Grateful to be included in the Best and Most Inspiring Personal Development Blogs 2016 Awards Nothing like peer recognition.
I am very grateful for a pair of new walking shoes.
What gratitude list would be complete without appreciating my family - my husband who doesn't let being sick stop him from singing, and my friends! I am grateful for you! Here's a beautiful poem on Gratitude
Be Thankful
Author Unknown
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary
Because it means you've made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
♥
Join my friend Vironika Tugaleva's #12daysofreKINDling - a holiday challenge to spark kindness and ignite compassion.To quote Vironika,
For some people, the holidays are an incredible time to reconnect with family and enjoy the warmth of their relationships with others. For many of us, however, the holidays are nothing like this. Each year, while Christmas carols tell tales of joy and lightheartedness, thousands of people sink into crippling depression, desperate anxiety, bitter resentment, or helpless isolation.The12 Days of ReKINDling challenge is all about lighting the spark of compassion between all human beings, regardless of religion, belief, or social status.
Participate by choosing your 12 day period according to your holiday schedule and customs and share on social media with the hashtag #12daysofreKINDling
Day 1: Tell someone close to you what you appreciate about them
Day 2: Reach out to a family member whom you rarely contact
Day 3: Send an apology letter to someone you've wronged
Day 4: Reconnect with an old friend who's fallen out of touch
Day 5: Give a genuine compliment to a co-worker or acquaintance
Day 6: Send a letter of forgiveness to someone who has hurt you
Day 7: Do something kind for a complete stranger
Day 8: Leave 10 positive, loving comments on the internet
Day 9: Write a loving, supportive letter to your younger self
Day 10: Anonymously send a gift or card to someone who needs it
Day 11: Allow yourself to ask help/support and to receive it
Day 12: Leave something valuable for a stranger to find.
Get more information at www.vironika.org/rekindle
Happy Thanksgiving!
Join and me for the November Gratitude Circle bloghop - Thanksgiving Special by linking up with your own gratitude post. Grab the badge, write your post and add your linky to the linky below. Linky's open for a month!
