happiness and food

Recently I have been feeling that life is passing by so fast that I am not able to catch up and look at how January has whizzed by. It feels like yesterday when I was talking about my New Year plans and now the new year is already a month old.

Anticipation, hopes, resolutions and changes are usually the highlights at the start of anything new. The first month of 2016 was no different.

My Gratitude List for this month includes new things that I am grateful for. So, let’s get to the list right away.

• Welcoming the New Year: VT and I kick started 2016 in Hong Kong and it was a unique NY celebration. We dined, wrapped ourselves well cos it was cold and headed out to the water  front to watch the fireworks. I am grateful I got to experience those lovely display of lights and the grand celebrations. The fireworks in Hong Kong are one of the most beautiful in the world and having a chance to watch that was like a dream. Things that you expect the least give you the most joy. Isn’t it?

• New Movies: The in-flight entertainment systems are the best inventions to help you pass time on a long flight. I watched The Intern this time and I haven’t yet stopped talking about it. The movie talks of a few things I truly believe in – “To learn something new, you don’t have to fill your age on a form. All you need is an open mind”. If you haven’t watched the movie, please do and trust me, you won’t regret.

• Kannada Classes: Last year I started taking Kannada lessons on whatsapp and that was fun. However, recently a couple of folks at work decided to join classes on Sundays and I also found the idea worth trying. I am grateful for a lovely group of friends with whom I am enjoying these classes and learning the local language. Our teacher is a funny old guy and his humor is commendable. It’s a great experience going back to class and then taking the bus back home.

• A strong back: I am grateful for a pain-free back. As many of you know, I am a back patient. Three years ago when I started this blog, I was on complete bed rest not able to walk or stand. Every single day when I can walk the way I want or attempt a shoulder stand at Yoga, I am grateful that my back supports me and is staying strong. I am also grateful to you all for being my support for the last 3 years of blogging. Without readers and awesome ones like you all, I wouldn’t have felt so encouraged to write better and more.

• More Sarees in my wardrobe: I completed the #100sareepact last year and I am grateful for gifts of love in the form of sarees. I got two new sarees this month and both of them are beautiful and unique. One is a Mekhala Chador from Assam and the other is a smart Andhra checkered saree. Both these are new in terms of style and uniqueness to my wardrobe.

• Hand written notes: I love notes from people and this month, I am glad to have received lovely messages from people around me. It always encourages to read something hand written and it’s a great way to share gratitude. I am grateful to have people around who value this gesture.

• Photography & Sunsets: I am still continuing to click many pictures and those who follow me on Instagram must have surely noticed the many pictures I post. Pictures talk to me and hence I am also getting regular to Wordless Wednesday on this blog. I am grateful for a good phone camera, getting the angles and those image filter apps that let me tweak pictures and share with you all.

• We Are Bangalore: When I was asked to curate We Are Bangalore on Twitter for a week, I was flattered. Trust me, I was equally scared too. My first reaction was,  “What will I do? I am just a common woman. There is nothing special that I can bring to the table.”  But the administrators of the group were not ready to give up so I went on air on a Monday morning and I was talking to entire Bangalore via tweets throughout the week. I am grateful to that opportunity. I learnt a very important lesson that week. We can never keep everyone happy. People will always have different opinions and that should be accepted. I learnt that people are genuinely funny and wonderful. Situations spoil us all.

• Being guests: Sometimes it’s relaxing to be invited for lunch or dinner and I am grateful to two of my friends who invited me home. The comfort of home and good food is all I need to sum up a happy day. The balconies, the sunshine and the views stole my heart.

I have been really busy at work and I also haven’t been able to get regular to Yoga but still this month brought me hope. Better days will be ahead and finding beauty around is a new-found focus in my life.

What is that one thing you are most grateful for this month?

Linking this post to the Gratitude Circle Blog hop for January 2016.