It has been an eventful month as usual, busy with work and other things on the home front. I continue to be grateful for all that I have and particularly, for my family and friends who make life so much better even when things don’t go the way they’re expected to.
Welcome to the August Gratitude Circle bloghop!
I have plenty of things to be grateful for!
I enjoyed an impromptu trip to Madras – yes, Chennai .
On 22 August, Chennai celebrated her 377th birthday and this year, there’s a whole week dedicated to Madras Day. And during this week, there will be organized special guided tours to heritage sites, tree walks, food walks, photo exhibition and storytelling sessions along with a series of trekking, cycling and even motor bike expeditions to explore the city. I am glad I made a trip there during this week. I am grateful for a pleasant time with my family, a room full of books, happy conversations and a full heart. And I am super grateful to carry back some books with me.
Some wonderful emails arrived
…and cheered me up no end – I love it when people take the time to write to me and tell me they enjoy my writing. Such a feeling of mission-accomplished! Nothing compares to peer pleasure!
I enjoyed my first ever Twitter chat
…on 11 Aug with Women’s Web. Here are the highlights wrapped up into a post
Ah, one thing I am so thrilled about
…is printing my business cards. This is not my first, but it brought endless pleasure to hold my logo in print, in my hand. I had been planning this for ages. Every time I went for a meeting and someone asked me what I did, and if I had a business card, I’d promise myself that I would make one right away. Truly the time has to arrive for certain things. And a walk past my neighborhood printer nudged this “to-do” on my list to completion.
I attended the SHEROES Summit
…last week and I am grateful for a most enjoyable experience. I had meant to see how the morning sessions went and then take a call on staying the whole day. I am glad I stayed.
Any gratitude list I write
…would be incomplete without paying homage to technology. I am so glad it is easy to be connected, especially with my son who went through a patch of bad health. Tough enough being far away; at least we could talk to him whenever we wanted!
While I feel just a wee bit sad to take myself over to the gym, I am grateful for it. It means I am actively focusing on my health.
I am grateful
The past month has brought many review copies of books!
…So I am looking forward to many hours of reading. One book, “The Calling” by Priya Kumar came with this beautiful mug and I love it!
I was looking for something when
…I came across my Mom’s “prayer basket” on 18 Aug. As I fondly read some notes she had tucked into one of the books, I also came across this. It felt like she was talking to me – and I felt wonderful. Same day, and date back in 1994, and it has a wonderful quote in Tamil.
Let me try and interpret it for you:
The man who is too proud, loses his pride
The one who is envious, loses friends
The one who is consumed by anger loses himself
Inside her diary, she had written this poem that she had seen somewhere, perhaps in a newspaper those days. So perfect for today’s post. So much to be grateful for!
Forgive me when I whine
— Author Unknown
Today, upon a bus, I saw a very beautiful woman
And wished I were as beautiful.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and used a crutch.
But as she passed, she passed a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two legs; the world is mine.
I stopped to buy some candy.
The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad.
If I were late, it’d do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me,
“I thank you,
you’ve been so kind.
It’s nice to talk with folks like you.
You see,” he said, “I’m blind.”
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two eyes; the world is mine.
Later while walking down the street,
I saw a child I knew.
He stood and watched the others play,
but he did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said,
“Why don’t you join them dear?”
He looked ahead without a word.
I forgot, he couldn’t hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two ears; the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I’d go..
With eyes to see the sunset’s glow.
With ears to hear what I’d know.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I’ve been blessed indeed, the world is mine.
What are you grateful for?
Also linking up with
28 comments
That’s a lovely round up, Vidya and it was good to see you twice this month 🙂 That quote on the calendar is very thought provoking! Must remember that.
Shailaja Vishwanath recently posted…9 years a Mom: An Anniversary and a Giveaway
Thank you, Shailaja! It was wonderful to see you too!
Vidya Sury recently posted…When it comes to blessings
Your post sends such positive vibes!! That’s a very cute and catchy business card… I am sure whoever gets one will never forget it. I have always wanted to be a part of twitter chats, but this timezone difference doesn’t help much.
So touched by the poem… things in life we tend to take for granted can mean a world to others.
Rajlakshmi recently posted…[Throwback] Once Upon a Skinny Time
🙂 Thank you Raj.Yes the things we take for granted! Hugs.
Vidya Sury recently posted…When it comes to blessings
Such a beautiful poem Vidya ! Thanks for sharing !
Asha recently posted…Haircut
I know! Quite humbling! How about joining the Gratitude Circle bloghop?
Vidya Sury recently posted…When it comes to blessings
The impromptu trip sounds ideal. Loved the Tamil quote and your business cards too. The infectious theme of your blog seems to flow onto it, spreading smiles as it reaches more hands. I’d love to keep one of those with me. Hope your son is better now. Technology is definitely a boon when used properly.
And, that’s so much positivity in a single post! Thank you 🙂
Uma recently posted…Of customs and celebrations
What a wonderful comment, Uma! Thank you! Yes, I am so grateful for everything. Message me your address and I will send you a card with a little something! Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Turn down the volume, unplug, listen
Your gratitude post is always like a breath of fresh air Vidya. I’ve been going through a bit of a rough patch and reading this always makes me look for the good things.
Obsessivemom recently posted…If we were having coffee …. 4
Hugs, Tulika, thank you so much. Here’s wishing things take an upward turn for you. Why not count your blessings and join the bloghop with your own post? Sending you love and happy vibes!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Good Vibes Only! #GratitudeCircle
Lovely list and your visiting cards are just fabulous. I love the colors and the feel of it. Happy for you – there are books and more reading. Keep working on your health and while I am telling you this – I am telling the same to myself.
Hugs, Vidya!
See you soon here again on 31st 😉
Parul Thakur recently posted…#MicroblogMondays – Pain and Discomfort
What a gorgeous, positive post. It really made me smile. It’s so important to work on your health, I recently received a devastating diagnosis and I am trying to remain positive and focus on my health first and foremost. Wishing you well. #mg
I so look forward to reading your gratitude post. I was all set to write out mine and link it to yours but somehow couldn’t find the email update from you in my mail box. Should I subscribe again?
Bellybytes recently posted…Why Whisper? #PeriodPride
I will tag you from next month, Sunita. Do join in. The linky is open for two weeks. I’m looking forward to reading your post. Thank you for your kind words.
Vidya Sury recently posted…Have you heard of varicocele?
Beautiful words by you as always, you continue to inspire and warm my heart always xx #mg
Thank you Mac! I so look forward to Mondays, always, but even more so, now! Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Have you heard of varicocele?
Beautiful post, Vidya !!! Gratitude always bring happinness !!!
Vasantha Vivek recently posted…This MOM’s Life
Your blog is a warm place, I feel good whenever I visit. Thank you for making it so welcoming and nice. I am also happy in a room full of books and family nearby 🙂 .
Lovely cards, I attended the Sheroes summit in Delhi some time back, it was wonderful. Glad to see you met Rachna and Shailaja 🙂
I hope to add my link to your gratitude circle, trying to write my post.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Sulekkha! the linky is open for two weeks. Just write about anything that made you feel good, or brought on a smile! I look forward to you joining me!
Wow so much to be grateful for! I love that poem 🙂 xx #mg
Thank you Wendy! Me too!
I love your gratitude posts. Love your card. You know I have been thinking for ages too. I do have one which is my startup card but would love to create one for my blog as well. Let’s see. I am so sorry I missed posting this time. I think it just slipped my mind. 🙁 Is it too late to post?
Rachna recently posted…A Talk with a Teacher
Never too late, Rachna! Linky is open for two weeks. Please do join me. Seriously, I’ve had business cards from the year I started my working career, but none made me feel as excited as making this one. Hehehe. Talk about selflove! Hugs. You can incorporate your blog in your startup card. Now is a good time to renew!
Vidya Sury recently posted…I say no to leakages and damp walls. Do you?
Great post vidya, so much of positivity in your post, thanks for inspiring, loved your card, images and also the beautiful poem. I have loosing track of this circle… hopefully shall write a gratitude post for august, thanks for motivating.
I was just thinking of you yesterday, Angela! And was planning to message you! Please do join in 🙂 Linky is open for 2 weeks! Hugs. How have you been?
Vidya Sury recently posted…I say no to leakages and damp walls. Do you?
Nice post Vidya. I especially liked the lines that you have interpreted from Tamil to English. Words of wisdom comes in many languages. Your gratitude post is also a great way to count the blessings which we forget to do.
This is a wonderful post and it really helps right now. I need some of these uplifting quotes and that poem really puts things into perspective. My best friend is entering stormy seas and I worry for her. I actually would like your help…..you have placed many inspiring quotes on your blog and I was hoping you could give me some of your favourite. I want to make a journal for my best friend and find quotes to write in this journal for her. I hope you don’t mind if I use some of yours.
Birgit recently posted…Thursday Movie Picks- World War 2
Of course, you are most welcome to use the quotes, Birgit. In fact, I have a couple of quote books I made – I will email them to you – see if they help. I am also working on a new quote book 😀 It is so much fun. I am sorry to hear about your friend. I grew up on a diet of quotes from my Mom and now believe in their power quite implicitly! Hugs. You are really kind to want to make a journal for your friend! Check out this section here for Inspiring quotes Thank you so much for coming by, Birgit!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Relationships are a blessing