Gratitude List – April 2017

Posted on by Parul Thakur

If I were to pick a word for April 2017, ‘balance’ would be my first choice. Things seemed to be in harmony with each other. Whether personal, professional or my online world – I loved how sometimes things fell into place. It rained when it was too hot and in spite of my work schedules, I was able to complete the A to Z Challenge. I cooked and I also relied on restaurants nearby. Healthy food was the focus and I also indulged a few times.

All in all, nothing to complain and I am grateful for the many things that were possible this month.

A strong back: I am touching wood as I write this but I think it’s important to respect the body that we have been given. I have ignored myself enough and now I know it’s never the right thing to do. Once a back patient, always a back patient but managing daily postures and accepting what’s not perfect is okay. I am grateful that my health has been good and looks like barring nuts, everything works. 

Cooking experiments: I know what you are thinking. I am far away from enjoying this thing that entails standing and stirring in the kitchen. Thank God or whoever invented the concept of one-pot meals. Throw in millets and leftover curry in a pressure cooker and viola! What you get is a healthy dinner. I am grateful for that spark of creativity. Though I really don’t know where it came from. 

New experiences and friends: Some new experiences ruled this month. Zumba on the last day of the month sure deserves a mention. I also tried preparing a masala tea mix and it turned out great. Thanks to Shalini for her recipe. I have some saved in my freezer. I am grateful to my friends online and offline who encourage me to try new things. Life would be too monotonous if there were no experiments.

Morning walks and an attempt to C25K: On my non-yoga days, I try to step out for a walk in the park. I like the calmness and the greenery around and no, I don’t even try listening to music. Chit chats, giggling children, and chirping birds are good for my soul. This month, I found an app called the C25K. You got it! Couch to 5K. This app is a good personal trainer. For thrice a week and a duration of 30-35 minutes, it trains me to walk or jog and helps me get my workout. Try it and you will know what I mean. I am grateful for technology and that when used well, it’s a boon.

Community work: At my organization, we give 5% of our profits to our communities. To add to that, employees also invest time and give back. This month, my team went to a government school to teach children. Most of these children were orphans. The remaining had alcoholic or abusive parents. I was in a class of toddlers and all these children wanted was love. I wasn’t able to understand what they spoke and they didn’t get what I said so we just sat together. They around me and a few younger ones on my lap. In those couple of hours, I felt that there are people in the world who don’t have even a percent of what we have got – in terms of material and non-material possessions. So, be thankful. 

Blogging: If you have been following this blog, you know that April was all about A to Z. Yes, even the Thursday Tree Love took a back seat. When in March, I had almost made up my mind on not participating this year. With work on the higher side, I felt I won’t be able to complete the challenge. However, I was able to plan well and the result was the third year in row A to Z. I am grateful for being able to find the balance I needed this month.

As another month of life comes to an end, I am grateful that family and love keeps me going. Experiences matter and even if it means tending to plants in the balcony to give them back the life they deserve, why not?

Before I forget, did I tell you I started an Instagram handle for happiness and food? Thanks to Soumya for the idea. Complex situations just need a simple solution. Don’t they?

How was April at your end? What is that one thing you are grateful for? 

Linking to Vidya’s Gratitude Circle for March 2017 and with Sanch for the Month that was..

40 thoughts on “Gratitude List – April 2017”

  1. So lovely to read about your April. It was a hectic month for most of us but for different reasons. I was taking an online sabbatical but am in awe of all you folks who diligently completed the A-Z challenge. Kudos! I think it is time for another BAR, maybe June. What say? Hope your May is fabulous too. And you know, Yoga is the best for back troubles. My dad swears by it.

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    1. I am glad you took a break Rachna. We all need to when we need it. Yes, April was hectic but fun. We should meet soon. Let the school reopen 🙂 Yes, Yoga is my first love. Thanks for stopping by, Rachna!

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  2. So much packed in just 1 month, great. You are right when you said you managed to achieve Balance. I have taken up a 1 day Zumba class- its fun. Mentioned you in my A to Z Reflections post.

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  4. Congrats on surviving A to Z. I had never thanked my body for everything it has done over the past 64 years until relatively recently. Those of us in good health have much to be thankful for.

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  5. Wow, I loved your post for #gratitude April. Balancing so many different things is indeed a great thing. I am guilty of abandoning yoga and more so after getting a Fitbit, ideally I ought to be doing both. loved your pics, instagram is a great way to go.

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    1. I love Fitbit but I haven’t abandoned Yoga. I just tell myself that the count isn’t the right representation of my workout 🙂 Thanks Vibha for stopping by!

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  6. April’s never a good time for me to take part in a blogathon. It’s wonderful that you made through the challenge despite your work schedule. And C25K sounds like a great app! On my part, I’ve just returned to the blogosphere in April after a break. Feels good to be back. 🙂

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  7. What wonderful month and you crammed in so very much. Those are the kind of days I love. Congratulations on completing the A to Z Challenge. I don’t know how you managed it along with work and so many other things.

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  8. I am grateful for every day that I have on this earth, even with back problems, allergies, bad weather, news that makes my blood boil…. It is all worth the cost to be able to share time with my family and online friends.

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  10. Congrats for completing A2Z challenge Parul. Community work really improves our sense of gratitude and brings more happiness. All the best for cooking experiments. I wanted to learn zumba from a long time. Not possible with 2 kids for now. But not loosing hope 😊

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  11. Wow! A lot of things this past month. I like the app you mentioned, I love walking and will look it up.
    Have not been doing the atoz but hope to do it next year. Congratulations for completion.
    Good idea about the handle, I shall follow it. 🙂

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  12. I love this post. I can’t emphasize enough how much I love this post. I love the fact that you illustrated every single item of gratitude with a photograph. I love the fact that we like mostly the same things, including cooking experiments!! I love your passion for the children who don’t get enough love in their lives. If we lived closer to each other, I’d want to take a walk with you in the park.
    Here are some of the things that I am grateful for in April: the A to Z challenge (which I finished!), the spring flowers and the flowering trees, my art exhibit at the library, Easter dinner with friends and their family, my three week vegan cleanse (I feel much better after having done that!), long walks, my body (still strong at my greatly advanced age), cooking experiments!!!

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    1. Thank you Alice. I read this comment a couple of times and each time, I smiled at the number of times you used ‘love’. Know that your words mean a lot.
      I would love to walk with you. Watch those spring flowers and may be dine together. Vegan meal, that maybe hard 😉 hugs!

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  13. Nice to hear about your April gratitude list Parul. That community work which you did made me smile, we all need to do such work once in a while.

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  16. Wow ! I love the word balance, and enjoyed reading your post; its a beautiful feeling to know how you have managed and accomplished so much despite your challenges. I am with you for the morning walks, wherein i just walk in the park for 30-45 minutes, enjoy listening to the birds and watch children play, the greenery is such feast to the eyes as i walk, and stretch.. admire your energy and the zest to learn new ways of being creative.

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  17. Such a heartwarming post to read, Parul. There isn’t one thing to just like about this post. I love everything about it. Your doses on inspiration and happiness are so beautifully written. So wonderful to hear about the community initiative, the couch to 5K and everything else 🙂

    Have a lovely May as well.

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  18. Pingback: The struggle ends when Gratitude begins!! - Shalzmojo

  21. You are so welcome my dear! 🙂

    I feel so proud to be a part of your gratitude circle! Balance would be the apt word as you say. I just wrote about my April experience on my blog today.

    Couldn’t be glad enough that A to Z is over.

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  22. Just reading this made me so happy and motivated, Parul. I’ve been taking my health for granted and just got back to Yoga this week. Hope to be a regular. I’m guilty of not taking out time for myself, so need to work on that. I’ve missed blog hopping too. I loved all your points, esp. the part about volunteering with orphaned kids and getting on track with fitness. Keep inspiring, Parul!

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