In his book Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hahn says that in the rush of modern life, we tend to lose touch with the peace that is available in each moment. Never have I ever realized this more than in January as I caught up with my long-pending to-do list of things.
What a start to the year! January kept me pleasantly busy with lots of time offline - working around the house. Yes, still seriously decluttering and making decent headway! Because, peace is every step.
Funny how, when we get started, we pick up momentum on anything we do, eh? The trick is to just get started! I've been tackling some stuff I had been putting off for a while now. The joy is immense and truly, peace is every step of the way.
DIY projects
I've been dabbling in some DIY projects. Turning planks of wood into makeshift shelves. I am also enjoying playing with adhesive wallpaper - I transformed one wall with a brick wall look. Now, I am thinking of using some in the kitchen as I am busy cleaning shelves there.
I've also been sewing. Bought some track pants for my son but got the wrong size - couldn't return them - so I am converting them into capris. They're more like palazzos and really comfortable! Yes, please go ahead and laugh!
I am a bit obsessed with baking right now - experimenting with different ideas. The result?
- Orange flavored cake
- Veg lasagna in the microwave
- More whole wheat garlic bread - it has now become a regular at home
- Pizza from scratch - including the base - in the microwave
- And of course, cake in the microwave
All this, because too lazy to switch on the oven. Things are so much easier on the stove or in the microwave! Also, there's something so mesmerizing about seeing that dish rise, along with the aroma filling the house. Yum! As I said, peace is every step - no matter what route we take.
Fitness and Exercise
Thanks to Janaki, exercise is something I look forward to. Amazing how buddies can encourage us to keep at something consistently! If you are looking for a wonderfully satisfying session that gently pushes you past your limits safely, consider joining the class. I've also been walking, but not as much as I would have liked, this month. But I've been physically active and that's a good thing.
Reading, watching
I also managed to read four books. I reviewed one - Surge on like a River by Bharathy Bhaskar, originally in Tamizh, translated into English by Shyamala. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
It has become somewhat of a habit to watch something on Amazon Prime in the afternoons. I like the police procedural/crime thriller type of show - and just finished GRIMM. It was great.
I am slowly getting back to rising earlier in the mornings by scheduling work - I know I'll keep that appointment. I've always enjoyed working early in the morning or late at night - but the problem with late nights is - waking up early suffers. So, I am trying to wind up earlier so I can wake up earlier. The advantage? The day has more hours and I feel more enthusiastic and energetic somehow. It is like magic! Plus, I get substantial work done. Win-win, really!
Cleaning, purging
Perhaps my biggest achievement in January is clearing out my garage. Okay we haven't exactly cleared it out but we've sorted through what is there. We've given away what we don't need to keep and that has been a huge relief. We still have things to go through that we've kept for the time-being, but that will be easy now. This is something we have been putting off for so long that the guilt really built up to an uncomfortable level. So glad we got it done. All thanks to a focused partner!
If it hadn't been for Sury, I am not at all sure I would have gotten even halfway through the stuff because . . . it is SO hard to dispose off Vidur's things. School books, clothes, toys are not so hard. But boxes of drawings, school projects - those are somewhat hard because I end up lingering over them, reminiscing and . . . you know! But I managed to steel myself and just dispose them off. Grateful for the mental strength to do it!
Sent my first newsletter ♥
Excited to have people reply to my first newsletter! I was a little nervous about sending it out, wondering what if it wasn't good enough? Then I took a deep breath and did it - and was rewarded with loving replies. Thank you! I am looking forward to sending out the next one on Tuesday! Do sign up - you'll receive it twice a month.
A lovely lunch
Last Sunday I met my next-door neighbor for a lovely lunch and chatty afternoon. We realized that we hadn't seen each other for a couple of weeks, although I do occasionally see her Mum in the balcony. We decided to meet for lunch and spent an extremely pleasant afternoon together. So grateful for nice neighbors.
As always, I am deeply grateful to my family and friends. Special thanks to Parul for looking out for this post!
I came across this rather beautiful Gratitude Prayer by Louise Hay from the book Gratitude: A Way of Life
Gratitude Prayer
Deep at the center of my being there is an infinite well of gratitude. I now allow this gratitude to fill my heart, my body, my mind, my consciousness, my very being. This gratitude radiates out from me in all directions, touching everything in my world, and returns to me as more to be grateful for. The more gratitude I feel, the more I am aware that the supply is endless. The use of gratitude makes me feel good; it is an expression of my inner joy. It is a warm fuzzy in my life. I am grateful for myself and for my body. I am grateful for my ability to see and hear, feel and taste and touch. I am grateful for my home, and I take loving care of it.
I am grateful for my family and friends, and I rejoice in their company. I am grateful for my work, and I give it my best at all times. I am grateful for my talents and abilities, and I continually express them in ways that are fulfilling. I am grateful for my income, and I know that I prosper wherever I turn. I am grateful for all my past experiences, for I know that they were part of my soul's growth. I am grateful for all of nature, and I am respectful for every living thing. I am grateful for today, and I am grateful for the tomorrows to come.
I am grateful for Life now and forever more.Yes, Peace is every step with gratitude
By the way, my friend Sheila Burke has created these wonderful gratitude journals. Please do check them out!
The One Gratitude a Day Journal is one gratitude daily. Perfect for beginners or those that journal on the fly!
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed each have THREE gratitudes daily.
Each journal is unique inside.
How has the year begun for you? Do share in the comments! Join me for the January 2021 Gratitude Circle blog hop! 
As always, do remember: To join the Gratitude Circle blog hop, you can write about anything that made you feel good. It is not mandatory to write about your personal life. Or list personal things you are grateful for.
You have the freedom to share anything that made you feel good. A happy event. Something you saw. An experience. A place. Something that brought you happiness. A lovely book you read that filled you with joy. Anything. I repeat - it need not be personal at all.
- Write your posts.
- Add the badge.
- Remember to link to my post to validate your entry to the linky.
- Add your post link to the linky below.
- Comment and say hello here.
- Smile please!
