“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” – French proverb
Stepping into the last month of the year and I feel the weather singing Christmas carols. When we were in school, winter vacations meant the time to celebrate Christmas and welcome New Year. Parties, get-togethers, variety of delicious cakes and good food represented this time of the year. When I left home to make a life of my own, the little joys of Christmas faded away. Good memories are all that I have and remembrance of people who made those times lovely.
I am grateful for all happy memories cos they are the foundation of our life. Remember Inside Out?
November was yet again a lovely month with a lot to do and I am looking forward to a relaxing and happy December. You know the reasons. 🙂 So, here is my Gratitude list for the month in no particular order.
- Diwali: This Diwali, I had friends who were by my side to celebrate the beautiful festival of lights. I have often said this but friends are the family we choose for ourselves. With them around, I laughed and smiled a lot and picked myself up when I was feeling low.
- Skype: Technology is a savior. VT and I are miles apart and yes I get cranky and irritated many times cos of the long distance thing. But then getting to see him over video call is so good. Simple joys include watching him when he microwaves his food and eats. It’s like sitting right there and talking. I wonder it must have been so hard in olden days when there were no video calls.
- Photography: I am clicking a lot of pictures these days. My phone is being used as a camera more than for making calls. Macro shots, bokeh effect, and learning a bit of photo editing – it’s all a good way to learn something new of interest. Grateful to get those right angles.
- Birthday Month: I am now a year older. Almost seven days since my birthday but the good wishes are still pouring in. The calls, messages and in-person wishes made me feel very loved. Knowing that people love you is a great feeling. Isn’t it? It feels I must have done something right in the past years.
- A roof over my head: It rained a lot in Bangalore. So much so that roads flooded, traffic jams became normal and just nothing felt right. But then I am grateful that I have a house to go to after I wrap my day at work. A shelter to protect myself from the incessant rain and cold. For the have-nots, this must have been a terrible time.
- New Books: Yes, I had friends and family to talk to but this month I also indulged in books. I read “Letter from Peking” once again, cried for the pain that Eve felt. Books take you to their own world and I was willing to travel with the ones I was reading. Grateful for the ease of buying books online – click and order!
- Air Travel: This has to be the highlight of the month and I am sure you have read when I wrote of the captain speaking on the flight. I was travelling back home from Hong Kong and the pilot was a woman. This made me feel very proud of India. I spoke to the pilot and she also invited me to the cockpit. Ah! The day got marked in the book of my life.
- Writing: Yes, NaBloPoMo 2015 ends today. A month of writing was a stretch and it was fun too. I managed to keep up with the posts and made some new friends. I am grateful of all those who had ideas to share, and talk of what they would like to read. This was Year 2 and much smoother than the last.
- Food: Food is one thing that I am always grateful for. Be it the chance to eat at a friend’s, at home or anywhere outside. This month too, food was a big highlight. From plantain leaf lunch to a food tasting opportunity at Ritz – I was happy and so was my tummy.
Life will always have its ups and downs and though reading this may feel that things are pretty hunky-dory, it’s just about choosing to be happy and being grateful in what we have. It’s not about complaining what is missing. I had my share of tears and moments of loneliness but I am choosing to talk about things that made me happy.
With that note, let’s welcome the last month of the year and do let me know what is that one thing are you most grateful for in November? 🙂
For Day 30 of NaBloPoMo and NoMo, I am sharing my Gratitude List. If you note, I missed a day of NaBloPoMo yesterday but happy to do better than last year 🙂
happiness and food 
Having friends by your side celebrating Diwali is surely a blessing. I agree about the Skype part too. While it cannot bridge the distance between 2 set of people yet it does not let them feel distant. I wish VT returns soon 🙂 Congratulations for completing the NaBloPoMo successfully.
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Thanks Anamika! I’ve never been as cranky but guess this is what happens when he isn’t by my side. But yes, that also means getting to complete NaBloPoMo 😀
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We have so many things to be grateful for, don’t we? We just need to find happiness in those little things.
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I love your attitude about focusing on the things that make you happy – so important to express gratitude for even the littlest things. Congrats on finishing NaBloPoMo, and best wishes for a happy December!
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This goes on to show that happiness is everywhere! You just need to recognize it 🙂
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It sure is. Thank you Soumya!
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Finally on your blog.. after a looong time.. your gratitude list, as always made me smile.. I am yet to write mine.. And look.. december is already here.. and in an iffy, it will too be over soon!
I missed reading you Parul..
Cheers
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I too missed you around dear! Thank you for spending time here. You know how much I appreciate that. Grateful to have folks like you around.
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Belated wishes for your birthday, am glad to read your post; and loved your pics, it says it all; thanks for sharing!
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What caught my attention is this part – choosing to be happy. Happiness is a choice and we have to work towards it. I am grateful to have a loving and caring family. I know many say this, but we actually realise it when we are going through a tough phase.
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Loved your list 🙂
I’m glad you are safe and sound – the rains in Chennai and Bangalore have been horrendous! I love plantain leaf lunches… 😀
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Great list. I’m so glad I got to catch up with you here. Warm regards. xo
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Thank you so much! See you around. Good to get connected.
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First of all a very happy birthday many happy returns of the day. .A bit late sorry. .
November is lovely good month. ..
And me too me too food yessss. .☺
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Thank you Bikram 🙂 How can we say No to food?
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We have so many reasons to stay happy and grateful. Well, every day is a blessing to us. Belated Birthday Wishes to you, Parul! 🙂
A Rat’s Nibble
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Thank you Meera! Totally with you there. Thanks for stopping by!
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Grateful for so many things Parul that it is becoming difficult to write each of it down now 🙂 I am nodding in agreement with you on so many things in your list, especially the roof over our heads.
For now, I am immensely grateful that I am learning to let go of expectations and realising that each person is fighting their own battle, in their own way. I am fervently praying for a better world, given how much disaster we have seen in 2015. Prayers for a happy new year to you too, Parul.
Super thrilled to be leaving first comment from the new home, so yes that’s another thing to be grateful for 🙂
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Oh november is a great month! Isn’t it? And I saw that book Ismat Chughtai me wants! Also the proverb will be used in a post soon, due credit shall be given 😀
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I love how you manage to combine so many things and yet radiate so much positive energy, Parul!
Re-reading books is a pleasure I haven’t indulged in for a while. Didn’t know you liked Pearl Buck too.
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Thanks Corinne. Today during a conversation, I was asked what kind of books I read and I had almost no answer. If it’s not self help, I think I can read anything 😀
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Happy to see there were so many things to quote from for you! Nov was a dull one for me, having returned from India late Oct.
Dec looks pretty exciting though 🙂
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Share how did it go by for you! Thanks for stopping by Alok!
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I couldn’t read this sooner. Last few weeks saw an ungrateful me with the never ending headache and a depression attack. All is well now. And your gratitude list made me smile, Parul. I agree, there will be a lot of things to cry about but focussing on those which made us smile is much better. 🙂
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Great to know that you had a lovely month :). For me, the highlight in November was my Moscow trip. Beautiful is the word! 😀
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