What Really Matters #GratitudeCircle

So, if I thought last month was a big wake up call, this month brought an even greater jolt. I mentally beat myself up and felt a lot better. It also helped to rant to my friend. I know life is all about balance – yet, I am only human and I go through the whole gamut of feelings before I get my mind to settle down.

I thought trying to act normal as I struggled to get things back together would keep me grounded. It did, in a sense, because after all, a good part of my day is spent doing housework,  client work, and blogging. I thought the A to Z Challenge would keep me busy. It did. But in spite of working on post drafts afresh, I managed to miss posting, partly due to travel and partly because of focusing on other priorities. The good part is, there is no sense of guilt.

I am taking things as they come and trying to appreciate every little thing. At the end of the day, one has to focus on what really matters, what makes one happy, right?

Here are some highlights from my gratitude journal:

I am grateful for . . .

• The mornings spent in my balcony, enjoying my coffee, and getting my dose of vitamin D
• An impromptu trip to Mumbai for a two-day event including a visit to the Johnson’s Mulund plant. I even did a Facebook live with them. See it here.
• My somewhat lazy laptop that has been a champion, if a bit slow. Still, until I get my desktop computer up, she’s my shero.
• Work I enjoy, from home. No commute. Which is a huge thing in this heat. Blessing.
• My ability to stay calm in a crisis. I’ve lost all my data and I am trying my best to cope, and so far, I am doing okay. I am even thinking in terms of: what if I didn’t bother to get it all back? (a radical thought planted in my head by my son).
• A lovely discovery when I was out for a walk with my young friend last week. Got a number of bits and pieces from this little shop: assorted cushion covers, little bags, doormats: for a song at an amazing clearance sale. I am not the sort who is particular about “sets” and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of rummaging through a pile for mismatched pieces. Small things, big joy!
  

  Love shopping for assorted pieces. Cozy time with #friends #laughter #grateful

  A post shared by Vidya Sury (@vidyasury) on Apr 27, 2017 at 4:50am PDT

• Dark chocolate, which my husband considerately bought when he returned home from his travels. So yummy. So soothing. Therapeutic, really!
• An empty sink, and a hot meal waiting for me when I returned home from my trip.
• I go to bed early these days and feel very proud of myself.
• A peaceful visit with my doctor. I admit I was scared to see her with my report, which had additional problems besides the unacceptable blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Totally fueled by guilt, of course! She was kind to me and I came home feeling a wee bit better. Of course, the real work lies ahead, and it is a lifelong process. I have smiles to go before I sleep.
• My neighbors who are family to me. Without their love and the gift of their time spent with me, life would be very different.
• The heat. Our city is really warm this year, but I am grateful we live in a comfortable home. When I think of all the people who have to work outside in the heat, I am humbled.
• The strength to make lifestyle changes and following through with them.
• Friends who always stand by me, no matter what. And always bully trick me into looking after myself.
• Books. Books. Books. My best friends, after my best friends!

And of course, the biggest thing I am excited about is my son coming home in ten days! So thrilled.

Project Inner Peace

I am working towards sustained inner peace. Do you want to join me?

Here are the symptoms of inner peace to watch out for:

1) Frequent attacks of smiling

2) Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation

3) Loss of interest in judging other people

4) Loss of ability to worry

5) Tendency to act based on hope rather than on fear

6) Ability to enjoy each moment

7) Ready to give and receive love

8) Sharing whatever little you have with people having less in life

If symptoms persist, just be grateful!

Nice, no? I’ll bet you expected something else. But then again, knowing me . . .

♥

Join me for the April Gratitude Circle blog hop.

You know what to do. Write your post, add the badge, link up, celebrate gratitude.