Here I am writing the 12th gratitude post this year and I feel stoked! I started incorporating gratitude actively in my life since sometime last year, and one of the ways was of taking stock of each month in a positive light. I was torn between doing a yearly roundup or a monthly one and decided to stick with the monthly format. So here I am looking back with gratitude for how the month unfolded.
Cleaning and Decluttering:
This month saw the roof and attic cleaned. The junk was disposed off and fresh waterproofing was done. A lot of plants were disposed off, the old and the dying ones and pots weeded. The roof looks so gorgeous now albeit with the white coat, it gives us a feel of Rann of Kutch during the day. 🙂
Mental decluttering was even more fruitful. I have been getting rid of cobwebs, letting go of grouses and tackling some of them head on. On this count, I feel very satisfied. Of course, this is an ongong process.
Discovering hidden treasure:
Okay, it is not the kind that you are thinking of but it surely is priceless. While cleaning, the husband came across a bunch of micro cassettes, the kind that were used in old video recorders. These are videos from our early days after marriage, the baby videos of both kids and some of their early childhood. I can’t tell you how elated we were to find those. We sat through many days oohing and aahing as we watched priceless footage. And gosh, the husband and I looked so good and young! 🙂
A New Beginning:
I feel we all must approach counselors from time to time. It is a great venting outlet and can give you fine perspective on issues. I did, and I feel so much more calm and at peace. I was always a kind, patient and sensible person but over the years, I’ve found myself becoming more impatient and sometimes treading on people’s weak spots. Honesty must never be confused with bluntness. Kindness and empathy must continue to be our guiding forces. Good lessons that we each must reiterate from time to time.
Learning:
I always work and learn, apply and learn some more. This month I started working more on my social media profiles especially Pinterest. My friend, Shailaja, has been doing some useful posts for beginners, do check them out if you haven’t already. I read a few tutorials online and am enjoying knowing and implementing more. It is always fun to work on something new, isn’t it? I have also been working hard on my food blog, creating better images and learning more about photography.
Work:
December has been very heavy on the work front, as I did a number of brand collaborations and my regular projects. My editing work has been going well as well, and I continue to write for other portals and publications. I am grateful for my clients and colleagues for their faith in me.
Fitness and Health:
December has been chilly here and has brought with it its usual quota of colds and respiratory issues. I am grateful that I have them under control. This month, I slipped a bit in regularity managing 3-4 days of workout per week instead of the ususal 5-6, but I am back on track with the final week. Overall, I am pleased with my run and strength training routines. I know I will continue to do well on these fronts. I have been taking my supplements regularly and also trying to get more sun. I do feel more energetic and most importantly less anxious. The calm and happiness I feel is a result of the counseling and behavioural changes that I have brought about in myself. And the supplements helped too. 40s is not easy for women, and I am glad that physically and emotionally I am in a much better space than when the year began. My tooth issues that dominated the first half of the year are behind me now and I feel a lot of gratitude for that.
TV and social media:
December is the last month of my TV subscription. I am not renewing it and prefer to watch all my TV online. A big step that I think we will adjust to easily. You will find my presence on social media further dwindle. I will continue to be present but mostly work related and personal updates will go down further. I am reclaiming my time and attention to things that are important. With Kindle, most of my reading will also move to e-reading format. Digital is the mantra, I guess.
Family Time:
Usually we go out in December but this year the kids got only four days off around Christmas. The elder son has his Pre-Boards from 1st week of January and the younger son has his last unit tests before Annual Exams in the second week hence we stayed home. We’ve been spending some quality time at home watching videos, Masterchef Australia with kids, GoT (the husband and I) and reading. Younger son has been reading voraciously. I have been falling behind a bit on reading due to the deluge of work in the last couple of weeks. Will catch up soon. Always grateful for the family to spend some fun time together and we have a nice fun get together with a few friends planned tonight.
Accolades
And yesterday This blog won the #IBA2017 for #Parenting. Awards feel good as they are a validation of your hard work. I am also pleased that the blog I edit, Money View blog, also won the best blog for Corporate Blog in #IBA2017. So very grateful to all of you and everyone who voted and the jury.
So that’s how my December panned out. I am happy for today and no matter how yesterday went and what tomorrow holds, I am grateful for having lived it with my family and friends. Here’s wishing everyone a beautiful 2018! May you all have a peaceful and Happy New Year.
Do join Vidya’s Gratitude circle.
Pics courtesy: Pinnable image and featured image Shutterstock.
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