It feels like yesterday when VT and I were planning about our travel back to India from Hong Kong. That was 2015 and today is the last day of February 2016. Where are all these days flying away? Work, life, a road trip and everything in between has given me no time to breathe this month.
February was hard. Deadlines, late night calls and stress – it seems I had it all and it feels things are going to stay. Under such situations, gratitude is keeping me going. I am focusing on things that I can control and those that make me happy. So what if I am not getting peace of mind? I can still train my mind to stay calm. Isn’t it?
With that thought, here is my Gratitude list for February 2016 in no particular order.
- Blogging Support Group: I am a part of bloggers’ group, Blog-A-Rhythm and I owe it to them for making me feel great when I had a day of some not-so-good tweets. There is a camaraderie in this group and each one backs the other. Such kind of trust and love is hard to find when most of the people know each other virtually. Adding to the love, Corinne asked me to co-admin Write Tribe with Richa and her on Facebook. I am grateful to her for having me around. It’s always a pleasure to read new blogs and connect with new bloggers. To all you folks at B-A-R and Write Tribe, love and more love!
- A Road Trip: Amidst the craziness, VT and I decided to drive to Hampi along with our friends. I am grateful for the lovely company we had and the opportunity we got to explore the ruins. Travelling is hard in terms of time offs from work and financials. I am grateful we get these opportunities to get away and learn something new from our trips. Travelling makes you rich by experience.
- Furniture: Recently, we sold off our furniture. It was an impulsive decision and I regretted executing that but things do happen. So, for close to three months – our living room had a mattress and two bean bags. Now our living room is my den. It’s the place I come back to after a long day at work, I write from there and I take my evening calls. All went for a toss and I was gutted. Guess what? I figured out an online store – Zefo. It sells furniture that is unboxed and used. We found two comfortable two-seaters and the deal worked. The sofas were unused and had a bit of manufacturing defect. But in our budget and per our need, they fitted perfectly. God bless these start-ups.
- Coming up – some family time: First weekend of March, we are flying to Delhi and that means a quick trip to in-laws in Haryana as well. Here’s the thing about family. The moment you announce that tickets are in place, Mums from both sides start planning – some laddoos, snacks, ground and roasted spices, ghee, some sweets and what not. Their list is ready and more than me, they are looking forward to meet us. I am meeting them for less than 24 hours yet they want to give all that they can in this time. Parents love unconditionally.
- Photography: I am clicking more and more pictures and I’m grateful that photography is helping me divert my mind to little things every day. I am grateful my energies are being used in something better. There is beauty in life, in things that are mundane and things that are special. So, click and smile or try the other way round.
- Love: I call it love when on long calls, dinner is served. I call it love when on a slight back pain, I am taken care of. It’s love when I am encouraged to be regular with Yoga and chores at home are balanced. It’s love when you can let your frustrations out and know you are not being judged. I’m grateful that I feel loved. Love is life.
- A Win: Creative juices should keep flowing. I submitted an entry for #SportsChatter contest by The Sports Mirror and won the 3rd prize. Representation of women in sports was written with a lot of heart so it felt good about the win. To think it differently, it also told me that people may think what they want about my blog, but this blog is mine – there will be pictures, micro-posts and there will be food for thought. Blogging is a part of my soul now.
To sum up the month, I had an eventful one. I hated some days and some were memorable. Practicing gratitude helps me look life differently and it helps me balance. I am grateful for this life and everything else that is mine with it.
What is that one thing you are most grateful for this month?
Linking this post to Vidya’s Gratitude Circle Blog hop for February 2016.
happiness and food 
I love such itsy-bitsy diaries, ‘day in life of india’ kind. Well composed and expressed.
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I love to read gratitude posts because they remind me of the good things in my life. Congratulations on that win Parul. Awards validate your existence as a writer and that is satisfying. I had a relaxing week after a long time so I am just grateful for that.
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Gratitude lists are not easy to make let alone write it out as a blog! I think it’s amazing when you can do that! IT keeps you in perspective of the things that went by and not take things for granted! Great list and have fun on that trip near the parents!
The one thing I’m grateful for this past month was my son’s second birthday!
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Thank you Parul. Reading your post finally made me want to get back to writing. 🙂 Your words and your blog did what I was fighting off for sometime. And that’s what I am most grateful for right now.
Glad to read that your month went by well enough. Photography does divert our minds. I believe it is indeed a small but effective way to calm our busy & stressed out minds. Everything about love is lovely. It feels so warm to see how you share your love for your hubby. 🙂 Well written post !
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Too good.. Parul.
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Quite a busy Feb, Parul! I am still waiting for all the Hampi photos! Photography is indeed therapeutic. Your living room photo looks good. I have seen ads of Zefo. Sometimes it feels good to revamp a place, bring in new energies. Congratulations on your win! And yes, Love is the answer, no matter what the question! Have a great visit with your folks! Thank you for joining me in gratitude!
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First of all, congratulations on the win – well done, Parul. I’m sure you’re looking forward to the trip back home and all the goodies as well.
Your living room looks like such a peaceful space, a good reflection of your personality! ♥
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you been busy busy busyyyyyyyyy 🙂 congrats on the winning 🙂
Bikram’s
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Congratulations Parul, on your awesome win and so glad to read your even more awesome gratitude post! Just a wonderful, life-affirming post… I wish you a fab time when you go visiting family.
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Thank you so much Esha! I am glad you found time to read 🙂
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Your living room looks fab and cosy with the makeover and congratulations on winning the contest. We are all there for each other. The moment one of us feels disenchanted, others rush in to offer oodles of support and love. I am grateful for this support too. I wonder where did all the negativity vanished from my life? But as everybody say these days – my two cents to negativity 😀 Each one of us have a unique voice which comes out through our blogs and we must stay true to our voice.
I have not written my gratitude posts for the last 2 months due to the crunch of time and your gratitude post reminds to do it certainly for this month.
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Congratulations for the win Parul.. Doesn’t it motivates to write more and more? You had quite a month! Your house looks warm and cozy and the picture with VT is so romantic! March will again be going to be a fun month ahead with Holi and guess what? Even I’m going to meet my parents this month!!
Cheers
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Congratulations on your win Parul. Lovely photographs there. Your gratitude list is truly awesome! Have a great time with family. 🙂
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Thank you so much Payal!
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Looks like an eventful month. It’s quite daring to sell your furniture. I can do that too. I love being or doing things in the spur of the moment. And, enjoy your trip and food. It’s pleasant weather in North these days.
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Hey , what a wonderful feb you’ve had! Looks like for you , just like it was for me , this tiny little month packed a punch. I particularly found your note about love so beautiful. Looks like 2016 is an eventful year for you already with all the travel and work and blogging happening in full steam!
I am yet to read your winning entry– heading right there on cue !
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Sorry you’ve had a rough time, Paru. Gratitude does help us cope during such situations, along with support from friends. Your livingroom looks so comfortable! 🙂 Road trips are wonderful respites from the trials and tribulations of life. Definitely worth the expense! How wonderful to get an award for your writing. That must have been a thrill. Enjoy your trip and time with family.
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How did I miss this post? I am mentioned everywhere in this 😛
Congratulations on sportschatter and of course co-admin with you is so much fun!
But to me the highlight of this post was love. I need to read more of such stuff on blogs where husbands everywhere are being not the regular things we hear. Serving dinner, taking care. And these positive vibes are infectious 🙂
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Glad to see so many happy moments and even victories… here’s hoping the list keeps getting bigger and bigger with every coming month 🙂
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Always good to feel grateful, Parul and your living room looks cozy and inviting 🙂 Thanks for letting us know about Zefo! Bookmarking it for personal reference too.
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Congrats for the SportsChatter win Parul :). You seem to have had quite an exciting month I must say :).
In comparison, mine was the same old except the fact that I was in Lucknow and Dubai for the first half of February :D.
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