βGratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.β ~Melody Beattie
Thatβs true. Gratitude changes everything. Especially when times are tough. When you make the effort to find it within you to be grateful for what you have and appreciate every little thing, your world changes.
I am happy to co-host the βGratitude Circleβ with Corinne Rodrigues of EverydayGyaan, starting today. Weβll be co-hosting a linky on the 4th Thursday every month and invite you to join us.
But before I tell you how it works, Iβd like to share something with you.
Gratitude Changes Everything
Years agoβ¦.and I canβt help feeling tearful when I say that phrase in this context β when my Mom was advised complete bed rest by the doctor as the second last resort to recover from spinal TB, we were nervousβ¦.the last resort being surgery that she may or may not have survived. This was October and little did we imagine that come February and she would no longer be with us.
But back to that day in October. Suddenly, we had no idea what to do. Complete bed rest meant not moving from that bed for the next three months. Which meant she lived horizontal for that time. The idea was to get her on-the-verge-of-breaking backbone to heal. It meant using a bedpan and being sponge bathed for 90 days. Eating, lying down. Absolutely horizontal β not being raised even a little, as that would harm her back.
Well, long story shortβ¦ I told my Mom we wouldnβt be hiring a nurse to look after her because I would. She believed in me. But she knew I was nervous. So she said β why not make our gratitude list this moment? We had gotten into the habit of writing what we were grateful for, several years ago when times were really tough β I mean, there were days when we didnβt have enough to eat.
Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you. ~Eileen Caddy
I got my gratitude book and looked at her, pen poised on paper. She told me βWhenever life gets you down, remember it is just temporary. Think of all that you have at this moment.
When we got started listing all the things we were thankful for, we couldnβt stop. I wonβt show off the list now, but I can tell you that I hold it close to my heart as a major source of motivation for when I feel down.
Point is β Gratitude changes everything. Appreciation changes our perception. We feel better able to tackle the things that look overwhelming.
βIf you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily.β ~Gerald Good
During those two months, I was immensely grateful for the following:
- The time I spent with my Mom. Reading to her, gossiping with her, laughing with her.
- We became even closer as a family and spent lots of time together
- We looked forward to weekends more than everβ¦watching movies, eating together. Sury would give my Mom a running commentary of the dialogs as her eyesight was weak.
- Vidur was such an angel, always cooperative and loving. He would read slokas (prayers) to her every day believing it would speed up her recovery.
- He spent all his time at home with her, discussing his homework or keeping her amused with his anecdotes.
- The kindness of strangers β at the pharmacy, the grocery store and all the other people who readily delivered stuff home.
- Our doctor, who visited Mom regularly to check on her progress.
I remember, one day my Mom said she was so happy she was ready to die any moment. We all laughed because the idea of life without her was so ridiculous. She was recovering and she was only 64. But life has other plans. She told me that should the unexpected happen, always focus on the good stuff. And insisted that we donate her body to a medical college, as a token of her gratitude to life.
β₯
And so dear readers, I am happy to announce the launch of the βGratitude Circleβ with Corinne Rodrigues of Everyday Gyaan. We have much to be grateful for. And we think it would be such a great idea to record our gratitude once a month, publicly, together.
Together.
Iβve found that when I read someone elseβs gratitude list, I feel happier. It is the positive outlook, the courage to choose to appreciate rather than complain that is so motivating.
I invite you to join us in the Gratitude Circle.
Hereβs what you do:
- Grab the button. Right click to download the image. Upload it into the sidebar of your blog.
- On the last Thursday of the month, publish your post about Gratitude. It can be an experience, a story, a poem β anything to do with gratitude. A tip:Β Start a gratitude journal if you do not have one already. Start jotting down what you are grateful for on a daily basis and youβll have one solid post practically writing itself.
- After you publish your post, come on over to Corinneβs blog or here β and add the link to your post. Visit others in the linky.
- Start by writing your gratitude post today and add it to the linky below.
I look forward to reading your gratitude posts!
βLet gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.β ~ Maya Angelou
Nowβ¦tell me two things you are grateful for!
βAppreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.β ~Margaret Cousins
I am deeply honored that you are reading this post today. Thank you for your presence in my life.
With love, Vidya
After you publish your gratitude post today, add the link to your post to the linky below:
23 comments
Great idea, Vidya. Both Corrine and you are so creative and come out with something unique. I will definitely participate in this venture. Thanks.
Thank you Mrs.Usha. Looking forward to reading your post!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Do you believe?
Yay Vidya! Count me in! You KNOW I LOVE THIS IDEA! I have been doing my own challenge this month but this is an excellent way to keep gratitude going all year round. Your story about your mom and how gratitude has played such a big part of your life is a PERFECT example of the transformative power of gratitude. I will be adding the button to my page and joining in on the groups. Thank YOU (and Corrine) for starting this! This is a wonderful beginning to Thanksgiving Day here in California! ~Kathy
Kathy @ SMART Living 365.com recently posted…Grateful For The Little Things
Hugs, Kathy! I was thinking of you as being a part of the Gratitude Circle. So happy to have you here. Looking forward to having you join us and reading your posts. How wonderful that we are connected!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Smiling From Year To Year #MicroblogMondays
What a beautiful idea, Vidya! Thank you for sharing one of your gratitude stories – I love the connection you shared with your mom and I love when you share stories of time you shared together!
Oh, yes – gratitude does change everything. I live present to daily gratitude (and love) and I can’t imagine life without gratitude. Today, I am grateful for the genuine heart connections in my life and the miracle of this gift of life.
Thank you, Joy! Over the past week Iβve been reading your newsletters filled with gratitude. I do hope you will link up and join us! So grateful that weβre connected! Love you!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Smiling From Year To Year #MicroblogMondays
Oh I think I can do it….I always wonder about getting the posts done in time but that is me over-analyzing and worrying which is norm for me. I think this is actually quite beautiful. I can say I am thankful for being part of the blog world and just now, at work(shhh) my dear friend, rescued my sad little plants and re-potted some of them as i am the kiss of death when it comes to plants
Birgit recently posted…Julie Andrews-What a Card!(Nyuck, Nyuck)
π The mention of plants always makes me feel guilty. I’ve got a cute plant that I am very nervous about right now – the pigeons in my verandah will simply behead the yellow flowers. So I am guarding them indoors.
Just heading over to your place to read your post! I thought the once-a-month would be doable for everyone!
Thanks Birgit. Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Can Money Buy Happiness? #MicroblogMondays
I thought I wrote here earlier:) I love your blog so much and it always makes me feel great even when I am having a non great day. I have joined and hope I did everything correctly. Your mom was a true inspiration to you and you show great strength
Birgit recently posted…Gratitude Post
So sorry, Birgit. For some reasons all comments, including mine, go into moderation and I don’t know how to fix it. I turned off moderation and ended up having spam automatically published.
Birgit, I want you to know how much I appreciate you. Each time I see your comment, my heart just fills up with gratitude. Hugs!
Yes, my Mom was an inspiration. She continues to be one and I miss her.
Vidya Sury recently posted…Kindness. Always Possible!
Vidya…. reading this post, made me sit up straight, and it looked like you spoke to my heart directly, its a very beautiful, sensitive and touching post, admire your mom and you.. I share a similar connection with my mom, but my mom died in the hospital, and it hurt me to see her dying in the ICU ward… I was eight months pregnant with my son Emmanuel, and I was insecure of his birth, not knowing how the child will be… my mom visited a month ago, despite her own issues that she had, comforted me, assured me, prayed for me and told me not to worry, just pray and be thankful to God for everything will be fine…. that was the last, and I never had any other conversation… I continue even to day to pray and be thankful.. thanks your post brought tears to my eyes… appreciate you for inspiring and motivating me …
Dearest Angela, Hugs! I feel for you. You know, my Mom passed away in the ICU too, five days after being on life support. We rushed her to the hospital with a collapsed lung from which she never recovered. It was all so sudden and we were devastated. I know how you feel. I admire you for how you’ve managed your life. So happy you are a part of the Gratitude Circle. With love to you!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Smiling From Year To Year #MicroblogMondays
My first thanks goes to u for this wonderful idea.Loved it & I’m gonna join it right now.
Thanks for sharing the beautiful bond you had with your mom.Keep π
Akshitha recently posted…“How To” Heal A Broken Heart..!!
Thank you so much Akshitha! I am looking forward to our interaction, and reading your posts!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Sleepaway Camps. A Boon for Busy Parents
Firstly, I wanna thank you for this wonderful idea.I really loved it.I’m gonna join it right now.thanks for sharing the beautiful bonding of u n your mom.keep π
Akshitha recently posted…“How To” Heal A Broken Heart..!!
I will do this.. I so need this .. π .. Thank you for such a lovely idea …
Thank you! Looking forward to you joining us!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Sleepaway Camps. A Boon for Busy Parents
This is wonderful Vidya and Corrine! I look forward to being part of your group!!
Betsy/Zen Mama recently posted…7 Ways To Practice Gratitude This Thanksgiving and All Year Long!
Hugs, Betsy! So happy to have you with us!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Black Friday Is A CyberBully
You know I love your posts. I like the ones with your mother in them, even better. Your accounts are so heart-warming it’s wonderful to read them. Love your idea. Will certainly link up.
obsessivemom recently posted…Pigeon mums don’t quite make the cut
What a marvelous idea! I wrote a thanksgiving post, which fits in perfectly with this theme. I will certainly plan to return at the end of month, if life doesn’t side track me with my gratitude post. Thanks for sharing your deeply touching story of your mother.
Cathy Kennedy recently posted…O Little Town of Bethlehem #BOTB hit it off on #4M #Christmas #music
Welcome, Cathy! So glad you are here, and thanks for your kind words. You’re welcome to add your Thanksgiving post to this linky – since it is open for the whole month until the next one goes up! π Looking forward to our interaction!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Encouragement. Peer Pleasure #MicroblogMondays
I am grateful for many things.
To reduce to 2 is tricky, but I do feel very fortunate to have my hubby and the home we have (not everyone has a safe, warm roof over their heads) and also to have my parents alive and in pretty good health in general. My mum is 77, my dad 93 – and I want them to be with us for soooo much longer. We’re very close.
Sneaking a 3rd gratitude in (greedy me!) I’m thankful for finding my feet with a new project (my blog) and finding myself in the midst of a warm and welcoming community of lovely people.
Sarah recently posted…Vegetarian Pate in the Raw