An Ordinary Girl

I notice how my outlook has changed ever since I adopted/ discovered/ found/ started practicing gratitude. (What is the right word to use for an emotion that was always there hidden away & has surfaced now?) I have had the ‘why me?’ tendency. I have been trying to cure it by practicing gratitude. I also find that I complain less now.

Within a few days of the Indian lock down commencement, I found myself thanking my stars. There are so many aspects I do not have to worry about. I knew I had to sit down & compile a list.

I am grateful for the food on my table (when I think about those below the poverty line).

I am grateful for not having to trade-off between essentials.

I am grateful I’ve everything I need for now.

I am grateful for the roof above my head.

I am grateful I get to be safe in my home.

I am grateful I can do activities I love at home.

I am grateful for my health (when I see people getting infected).

I am grateful I can take precautions & decrease my chances of getting sick.

I am grateful I can get enough sleep & proper nutrition.

I am grateful for the airy house I live in (when I see people struggling for fresh air & vitamin D).

I am grateful for my financial stability.

I am grateful I can contribute in my own small way to those less fortunate.

I am grateful I can help stray animals in my own little way.

I am grateful to be with a loved one (when I think about those living away from family).

I am grateful for a spouse who shares the workload at home.

I am grateful for my parents living next door (when I hear from folks worried about their parents residing in a different city).

I am grateful I get to spend time with family (both really & virtually).

I am grateful I did not get locked down away from home.

I am grateful for technology (that has helped me stay connected with friends).

I am grateful for being a work-from-home blogger.

I am grateful for being an introvert (when I notice extroverts getting bugged by the lack of F2F interaction).

I am grateful for a spouse who lets me have my me-time.

I am grateful for my good mental health (at least in the short-term).

I am grateful I can control my actions, emotions & thoughts.

I am grateful there are people keeping my surroundings clean.

I am grateful I’ve a grocery store in my society (so that my spouse does not have to venture far).

I am grateful the important places (hospitals, pharmacies & grocery stores) remain open.

I am grateful I can plan travel for when this is over.

I am grateful I can see the goodness in & the hard work of police, administration, government agencies, and central & state governments.

I am grateful I can pray.

I am grateful for everything right now. I think if I had not embraced gratitude, the negativity would have made the situation worse. Thus, lastly, I am grateful I discovered gratitude.