Gratitude

Many of us humans are able to easily focus on all things positive, and feel gratitude for everything endlessly. However, there are some amongst us who unfortunately, harp about all things negatives, than all things positive. Sadly, I too belonged to this latter group of people. However, the experience of this last couple of years made me sit up and count all my blessings. And, what better way than to note them down, be loud and clear about it and seal it through a blog. The timing couldn’t have been better either. On Thanksgiving Day. 

No, in India we do not celebrate Thanksgiving, but we, as a society, are good at readily and easily incorporating what we like of other cultures. Besides, feeling thankful is such a beautiful feeling. So, hopefully before time, Thanksgiving would be celebration time in India too. Celebrating gratitude for just being and for having all those who have let us be. 

As I look back into these last couple of years, doubtless, there have been times of momentary lapses when I have slipped and been ungrateful and hurting. But the more overpowering  emotion has been one of gratitude. I feel ever so thankful for so many things.

From being able to be there for my parents and taking care of them, to being able to recognise my blessings in having a wonderful brother, sister-in-law and my darling precious  nephew. Gratitude to relatives and friends. My bestie who has stood by me during my worst times and best Many others - some really special friends who’ve been around, and some who drifted apart; Thus, from friends, relatives, neighbours and colleagues, there is so much I am thankful for. I am also reminded of people from years beyond this immediate past, especially those who took care of me when I was sick - the doctors, the nurses, the physiotherapist.

Also, up until now, I had rarely, when I did, stopped to look at my blessings beyond family and friends. However, now more than ever before, I can see blessings in several guises, one of which is my work place, including my boss and colleagues. I now see how my boss had always been so supportive; and, though much younger, there is much I have learnt from him, as also from other colleagues. These last couple of years have also made me realise how blessed I have been to be working where I am. Truth be told, this wasn’t how I always felt. I did have feelings of angst and disappointment. However, the last two years magically melted away these feelings, replacing them with gratitude. I now see all the beautiful reasons to feel grateful towards everyone in my workplace - my boss and the entire rung of line managers, my coworkers - both, from my team and otherwise - in India, UK and US.

With loads of gratitude for everyone in my life including all  who may have even fleetingly touched my life, for good bad or ugly, I pray for everyone’s peace and happiness, joy and good health.

Wishing everyone the most happy Thanksgiving.