Somehow, 2012 has been the year of thanksgiving and remembering things with gratitude. The first inkling of what would be came when I got a diary for this year totally based on the looks (how shallow of me) and my favorite format inside (have to have month-at-a-glance). When I brought it home, I saw this:
and sure enough, each month had gratitude messages and exercises on the facing pages. And then near the half-way mark of the year, this came into my life:
The month I spent doing the exercises in this book has had lasting effects. Now each day begins and ends with gratitude meditations - and as someone who has tried several meditation techniques in the past and left them along the wayside I can definitely say - this one is easy, extremely doable and very uplifting.
So following the US tradition of remembering and sharing the blessings in our lives on this day, let me enumerate some things I am grateful for just off the top of my head...
... just being here, now, in this wonderful age of computers, internet and a level of interconnection with peers that defies the imagination.
... having been young when A.R. Rahman burst upon the scene and having heard the best and freshest of his melodies. Can't think of college days without ARR's Kaathal Rojave, Netriyillatha Maatram, En Veettu Thottathil etc. as a running soundtrack.
... hearing "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha" from 1942: A Love Story last night on the radio while doing the dishes and still remembering all the lyrics.
... being able to sing along aloud with those lyrics without being strangled forthwith!
... having lots of FM channels to entertain me while doing the dishes or cooking!
... having a little kiddo sneakily undo my apron strings so that I will chase him all around the house and tickle him till he begs for mercy.
... having discovered a great artist and human being called Susan Branch and having access to her site for daily inspiration.
... having found an easy way to access Susan's blog archives and being able to read all her old posts - 4 or 5 a day - to my heart's content.
... being able to go up to DH who is frantically getting ready for office
and inquiring very concernedly whether he has lost something. And when
he asks, showing him a screw and escaping braying and honking
alternately without any bodily harm befalling me.
... sharing watercolor beginner lessons with our elder son and crowing "my painting looks better" at each other.
I could go on ad nauseam, but will confine myself to ten for the time being. I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving with or without roast turkey. Have oodles of fun and good times!
Amen on Susan Branch :) the best things are often the smallest instances in life...:)
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