‘Hot’ is how I would describe April in a word. The temperature in Bangalore beat the record of the last 80 years and I felt the heat right under my skin. Regular headaches and back issues in the fist half of the month made it a not so easy month. Adding to it, crazy workload, my help’s month-long leave and the A to Z Challenge. So, I had my hands full. It was like doing everything possible and all alone. I am glad as May approaches, things will get back to normal and it may rain too, thus keeping the heat under check.
Here is my gratitude list for the month and in no particular order.
A roof over my head and drinking water: We don’t realize this often but think of a street vendor, an apartment guard, an auto rickshaw driver and all those people who work out in the Sun braving 38-40 deg C. It’s not easy and I am grateful to have a roof over my head. With drought and such conditions, the water reserves have been drying up. I am also grateful that I did not have to worry about quenching my thirst. As I write this, I am also ensuring that at home VT and I use water optimally.
Blogging: Today was the last day of 2016 April A to Z Challenge and I’m grateful for the many visitors who supported and encouraged through this month. When we write, we want to be read and with the comments and shares, it felt as if readers could connect. I am grateful for the support.
Work: My work was crazy but there were moments of making a name and doing things that I now feel proud of. I am grateful that I was able to focus on work and make an impact, even if it was a small one. To be able to effectively do what you are paid, to be able to deliver as expected and to have top leaders recognize your work motivated me even more. I am grateful that my workplace values things as much as I do.
Help at home: My help at home who manages all the cooking was out this month and I bravely did not ask for or arrange a substitute. I asked the other help at home to prep for my cooking which meant some chopping, kneading, and rolling chappatis. I am grateful for this lady who smiled and helped me cook. She would remind me that the veggies need my attention and also encouraged me to cook when I was in no mood. I am grateful I had her cos without her, it would have been impossible for me to manage. I know how to cook but it’s not my strength. I am also very lazy and I can’t stand and cook. I take regular breaks and walk around when I cook. My help ensured no food got burned. She was simply awesome.
Photography: I am grateful that I was able to creatively click some good pictures and it was a moment of joy when one of my Hong Kong clicks got selected on FMS Photo a Day, a Facebook photography enthusiast group. I clicked the Moon, the Sun, and the sky this month and it was a delight.
Yes, health took a backseat and yoga classes were missed but I am grateful that the first three weeks of the month, I was able to push myself. I am grateful that was able to meet S, my cousin’s wife after four years. We chatted and had a good time. Oh yes, that free sample of tea was awesome and I am grateful for the generosity of the brand. I am grateful for some long hours of sleep over the weekends and that I was able to get to work fresh and rejuvenated.
This month marks one year of writing my Gratitude lists and when I started in May 2015, I did not know if I will go this long. Writing these every month is now sharing how I really feel and being grateful for what I have. I am seeing myself more accepting towards things that I don’t have a control upon and I am also regularly finding joy in little things. In birds, in the sky, my plants, the peace, and all that I once never noticed.
If you haven’t ever penned a gratitude list, please do and trust me, you will not regret.
To those who do, what is that one thing on top of your gratitude list this April?
happiness and food 
v nice and true post . after reading it i also started thing about gratitude list and surprisingly it was a long list . if we are not a good writer at least we can think to thank people . keep it up .
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I’ve never done a gratitude list yet, and maybe I’ll start soon. It is nice of you to do this on a regular basis. And hey, congratulations on completing a year of gratitude lists! 🙂
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You should try it out Darshana. It’s such a happiness booster..
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Parul …… Great way of expressing your gratitude ……. Kudos to your other help ….. Happy Let …….
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Thank you Vasantha!!
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I remember promising you that I would take this up in May. And sure enough, I’m jotting down a few points in a draft from today!
I agree with the first point. Sitting in classes the whole day and then coming home and studying is the only reason why I’m not ranting about the heat on social media!
Congratulations on the Photo Selection, and on completing one year of the Gratitude Lists! 🙂
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I am so glad you will take this up. I would to read more! Thank you so much Mithila 🙂
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Writing a gratitude is always the best thing to end the month or start the new one! A to Z Challenge got large this time and glad we could complete it..! Having so much on the plate and doing justice to all of them makes us only strong!
Glad you came out with shining colours!
Cheers
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A very well written post 🙂 I like the way you expressed the gratitude towards Work .
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Hot for you, cool, damp and rainy for us in New York State, but we all have much to be grateful for. Thank you for sharing and reminding us of what counts. The “roof over the head and drinking water” is something we all (we who have them) take for granted but, in the most basic way, those things (and good food) are the most important of all.
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Wow, you write gratitude lists so regularly.. a great habit i need to start too… i do maintain my list, but not in such detail.. loved reading about it.. 🙂
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Thank you so much. Being grateful is helping be take life a little less lightly and more happily. So, why not? 🙂
You should publish it – I would love to read 🙂
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Congratulations for successfully completing the A to Z challenge. The other day I was thinking of the same thing, the hardships of the security guards sitting at the main gate of our building in the open in 44 degree and the heat waves and I felt grateful for the life I have which gives me the luxury of air conditioned homes. The other thing which I feel concerned about is water. Everytime I open the tap, I am reminded of the people who are facing droughts. I came to know ROs and the other modern day purifiers waste a lot of water. Thus I have made up my mind to store the waste water, diligently, for cleaning the house. I saw the photo that you clicked of the full moon and I think it was a very nice shot.
A few days back, I saw the count 11 against ‘Gratitude’ in your categories area and here is the 12th one 🙂 Wishing you good health and peace for months to come.
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that’s a great list! in the midst of all that could be wrong, you choose to see the positive side of it… There’s so much to be grateful for… even simple things like potable water.
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April has indeed been a hectic and superhot month! I’m impressed how you take things in your stride. I’m publishing my gratitude post on Sunday .. skipped the link up this month as I was in and out and most people were busy with the atoz. Congrats on your accomplishments, Parul! Stay blessed!
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Thank you Vidya! Yes, I was looking out for your linky and you can still open it out if you would like to. I’m sure many would want to 🙂
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You really pushed yourself hard, didn’t you? I hope you’re having a more restful May.
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