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My Overflowing Gratitude Journal

by Vidya Sury February 23, 2017 26 comments
Feb 2017 Gratitude Circle Vidya Sury

What a wonderfully hectic month February is! I always find it interesting that the shortest month of the year packs in the most in terms of work, happenings at home and with friends. As though it is trying to make up for those missing days!

Some highlights from my Gratitude Journal

My husband and I celebrated 20 years of being married, marvelling at, and feeling grateful for each other.

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February is alsoΒ . . .

. . . tinged with sadness as the day before our wedding anniversary is my Mom’s death anniversary. We’ll never stop being shocked at how sudden her death was, even though she had chronic ailments–but we’ve learned to focus on all the good times. We are also grateful she did not suffer too long before her heart stopped. Nevertheless, as attached as I am to my Mom, I am not at all sure I will actually get over it. And I am fine with that, cherishing and holding my memories close to my heart.

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This month has also been busy with work–I seemed to be on an editing marathon, what with deadlines and all.Β  Grateful for the work I enjoy!

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Even as I sat back . . .

. . . after sending in the edited manuscript, I got a lovely invitation to cover the Global Investor Summit at Ranchi, Jharkhand at short notice. Excited to be one of the two bloggers chosen across India, I packed my bags and looked forward to a great time. Oh yes, I also hoped to meet and shake hands with Dhoni; however, that didn’t happen because of the high security, what with ministers and top industry Chairmen on the dais for the inaugural session. Still, I have a 50x zoom camera and I made good use of it.Β  It was a wonderful trip, with great company and I also got to see the Hundru waterfalls near Ranchi, which is also called the city of waterfalls. Please look for a separate post on this! In fact, several about the Ranchi trip!

But I must mention, with gratitude, the kindness of all the people I met during my trip. Especially the fantastic green tea with lemon and honey that the stall near the waterfall served us with. So charming, so tasty, so very welcome.

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Then one evening . . .

. . . I was thinking of my schoolmates, triggered by a conversation with my nieces. I have this pendulum clock which has stopped working. I’ve tried having it repaired, but have been assured that it can’t be.Β I don’t have the heart to dispose it off. As I sat gazing at the clock, I remembered one of my classmates, also a close friend at the time, who loved picking watches apart. The memory got me smiling. Just then, my phone rang. Can you imagine my feeling of stunned surprise when it turned out to be that very classmate? We had last spoken in 1979. Oh! we had a marathon call catching up and I am so thrilled to be connected again.

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As if my cup did not already runneth over . . .Β 

. . . one day, my doorbell rang. I opened it to find the postwoman with a small parcel. Wondering what it was, as I wasn’t expecting anything, I eagerly opened it to find this: A hard copy of my book.Β  What a thrilling moment. I confess I felt teary eyed! Here is the front and back cover:

Feb Gratitude Circle Vidya Sury

And close on its heels came an email from the wonderful gentleman who coordinated the publishing of the book, asking me where to send my royalty. Royalty! Wow! Not a big amount, but the very fact that I was eligible to receive β€œroyalty” was so exciting. I earned $45 and I’ll treasure this moment for the rest of my life. All the other books I’ve contributed to–we have the proceeds going to charity. This is the very first book that earned me royalty and as you know, I will have a happy moment giving it to my girls at the welfare home. Yay!

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Talking about books, I have a special announcement today.

My friend Lori Gosselin’s much awaited book on building community is launching today. You will all agree that community is what we all yearn for, whether at work, or in our personal lives. And I think, in today’s fast-paced digital world, community is what will keep us going and happy.

Feb Gratitude Circle Vidya Sury

Sounding the Drum: Community Building in the Digital AgeΒ is available in all the Amazon stores in both paperback and Kindle format. It’s a fast read with stories, step-by-step guidance, and an Appendix filled with tools and templates so that you can build community,Β starting today. It’s time.

Look out for my book review very soon. I’ve also reviewed Lori’s first book β€œTheΒ Happy Place,” which is a must-read.

May I pleaase request you to come join the launch party.

You can also buy the book on Amazon

I have read it and I promise you, you will love it!

My gratitude list is never complete without feeling deeply thankful for my friends and my family.

How did February go for you?

Gratitude Circle Vidya Sury promobox

Join me!

Join me in the February Gratitude Circle bloghop with your own post!

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26 comments

Rachna February 24, 2017 at 4:57 pm

Lovely! Such lovely events that happened for you. Your own book. Hearty congrats, Vidya. I can understand what those $45 mean to you. Doing good work is so enriching and I am really happy for you. Talking to old friends especially when you least expect it is like the icing on the cake. And that Jharkhand event, I did see your updates. Great going! Wish you could have met Dhoni as well.

Here’s wishing you a great March.

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Vidya Sury February 24, 2017 at 11:40 pm

Thank you Rachna! I have learned to focus on all the good parts specifically and trivialize the tough stuff. Also, I’ve drastically reduced time online except when necessary. Spending more time with friends offline has been the best outcome of this. The Jharkhand trip was great! Got a couple of mentions in the newspapers and…hold your breath..came on TV. πŸ˜€

I am wishing you a wonderful March that more than makes up for Feb. I wish you good health, peace of mind and happiness. And of course I look forward to seeing you soon!

A special hug to you for being the first to link up!

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Sue Dunlevie February 24, 2017 at 8:04 pm

Happy anniversary, Vidya! That is a real milestone.

I have been feeling especially grateful this week. I think it is because I’m journaling more.

Thanks for the great post. I’m going to check out your friend’s book also.
Sue

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Vidya Sury February 24, 2017 at 8:09 pm

Hugs and thank you Sue! The book is amazing! Would love to chat with you about your journalling.

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Sue Dunlevie February 24, 2017 at 8:13 pm

I’m finding that the more time I take for “me time” during the day and journal and relax, I get more work done. This was hard for a workaholic like me to realize, by the way πŸ™‚ And some days I still slip into working too hard. But my body will rebel if I do – I have fibromyalgia and my goal this year is to take better care of myself!

Sue

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Vidya Sury February 24, 2017 at 8:17 pm

I am so glad you do that consciously, Sue! I know how painful and distressing fibromyalgia can be and I remember you mentioning it before. Hugs! Do look after yourself. Ultimately, we have to be the first to love ourselves!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Celebrating life’s most beautiful moments

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Anitha Rajagopal February 24, 2017 at 8:23 pm

i have never thought of February trying to overcompensate for 28/29 days! πŸ™‚ Sure feels like it now! The Hundru waterfall seems like something I’d love to see. Definitely heading over to your post about it. Catching up with old school friends is the best. Ever noticed how a million things might have taken place since the last time you’ve both spoken but somehow you circle back to the same old familiar topics. It happens with me all the time! Congratulations on your book! The girls at the welfare home are certainly going to feel royal πŸ™‚ Community building seems to be a hot topic these days. Hope March is as eventful and you get to meet Dhoni next time!

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Vidya Sury February 24, 2017 at 8:27 pm

Thank you, Anitha! Yes, we totally did that — the conversation meandering back to do-you-remembers and what-happened-tos, all enhanced the the knowledge that we’re now connected and have plenty of time to catch up on the gaps! Hundru falls was stunning. In fact I plan to write a series of posts about my trip to Ranchi, not just about the event I actually went to attend! Thank you again for the wonderful comment and good wishes. Do join the Gratitude Circle linky– it is open for two weeks! (Love your url! — and have that feeling … that we know each other!)
Vidya Sury recently posted…Of wedding anniversaries, strollers and life

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Vinitha February 24, 2017 at 8:33 pm

What a fulfilling month you had! Congrats on your Anniversary, Vidya. Talking to old friends is so rejuvenating. So happy to see your book. Here’s to many more such accomplishes! πŸ™‚

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Vidya Sury February 24, 2017 at 11:35 pm

Thank you so much, Vinitha! Join me! Hugs!

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Lori Gosselin (@lorigosselin) February 24, 2017 at 9:24 pm

Thank you Vidya! I so appreciate your support!
You’re the Best!
Lori

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Vidya Sury February 24, 2017 at 11:36 pm

It is my privilege, Lori! Hugs!

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Debbie D. February 25, 2017 at 12:36 am

Sounds like your month has been spectacular, Vidya. Congratulations on the success of your book! Happy Belated Anniversary to you and you hubby. β™₯
Debbie D. recently posted…WHERE WERE YOU IN 1965? #FlashbackFriday #MusicalMemories

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Parul February 25, 2017 at 3:04 pm

Sounds like a fabulous month! Isn’t this what is said about the universe that it’s listening? A trip to Jharkhand sounds so exciting and such a privilege to be chosen. My month is going on and still very hectic but that’s also fun πŸ™‚
I’m going to link up on 28th. Happy March to you Vidya! Hugs!
Parul recently posted…A heaven called Havelock

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Shailaja Vishwanath February 25, 2017 at 10:02 pm

So absolutely thrilled for you, Vidya πŸ™‚ You deserve every bit of happiness considering how much you spread in your interactions with people. I remember being in touch with you through this month and for that I will be eternally grateful. Congrats again on the book and of course, that lovely trip! Happy to link up with you this month and get back on the blogging wagon.

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Shilpa February 27, 2017 at 10:19 pm

Hey that’s a nice Gratitude list. Congrats on your book Vidya . Some moments becomes life long memories for us.

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Sreesha February 28, 2017 at 8:22 am

Belated happy anniversary! And congrats on the book πŸ™‚ Packed Feb looks like.
Hugs! <3
Sreesha recently posted…There She Goes Again, With Her Dancing Shoes

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Vidya Sury February 28, 2017 at 11:02 am

Thank you so much Sreesha! Yep, so kicked about the book! The Amazon version is exciting enough, but to hold it, yay! Feb was packed, and all last-moment stuff. πŸ™‚ Looking forward to March-ing ahead! Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Are dust mites and pollen your permanent house guests?

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Birgit February 28, 2017 at 8:48 pm

When we lose a loved one we never get over it but I think we have to adjust to the new way of life. I think she is your guardian of you and your husband. Congratulations on. 20 years which is quite beautiful and needs to be cherished. My best friend, after 23 years of marriage is breaking up. To be blunt, she married a real jerk. She found out he was having an affair, is a compulsive spender and had credit in her name and got her into debt by close to 80,000! He has been manipulative and negative. He is th classic narcissist s, needless to say, I have bee there for her especially in February since he moved out but has been placing blame on her and manipulating the children which is difficult. Now on a nicer note…wow to your friend calling right aft you have been thinking about this person. I wonder if there was some telepathic connection going on because this seems more than just coincidence. This pendulum clock seems to have brought you together. Aside from helping my friend, I have been seeing the new doctor who is listening, gave me pain medicine that will last and gave me gabapentin to help with the pain. He will be sending me to a specialist to look into my severe pain more. It feels hopeful.

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G Angela March 1, 2017 at 3:28 pm

Congratulations vidya for completing 20 years of your married life, wishing you many more years of happiness and joy. i am sure your mom is happy about your achievements and smiling from above, people whom we love, never ever leave us; they live in our lives… your life itself is a great statement to show how much she has influenced you; to become an inspiring blogger. Glad to read your post and I always feel energised reading your posts. Today I linked my post on gratitude, i lost track in between- but I am glad to be back. Thanks for sharing !!

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Vasantha Vivek March 4, 2017 at 3:00 pm

Congrats for your anniversary and book release. Your words are always vitamin tonic for me. A warm hug to you, Vidya !!!
Vasantha Vivek recently posted…Feeling Thy Presence – Feeling Thy Grace ….. #GratitudeCircleBlogHop

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Vidya Sury March 5, 2017 at 9:55 am

Thank you dear Vasantha! Hugs right back at you! Happy to see you in the Gratitude Circle.

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NEHA JAIN March 8, 2017 at 5:22 pm

Congratulations for different milestones, mam. I am so glad to join your gratitude circle. This is the second post I am linking to this and I feel so happy when I look through the month & realize how grateful I am to people in my life.
NEHA JAIN recently posted…February – Feeling Grateful

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chattywren March 9, 2017 at 11:29 am

Hi Vidya, belated wishes on your anniversary and for all the milestones you have reached in February..Wishing you a happy and content month of MArch. Also, wanted to thank you for the gratitude circle initiative, which I chanced upon recently…I hope to be a regular here….

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Shalini March 11, 2017 at 7:37 pm

Now that’s one brilliant month which you had, Mam! Congrats on your 20th and I understand the grief and sadness that this special day unfortunately gives you. I wish you all health and happiness and also a fantastic March filled with work and blogger meets.
P.S: Haww! I envy you. You met Dhoni? The M.S. Dhoni? I’m a huge fan <3

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Vinay Kumar Satyanarayan December 28, 2017 at 8:41 pm

Proud of you….

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