Gratitude journal - 03/29/2020 (Technology)

Hey there,
I am grateful for technology that allowed me to share the first few days of my gratitude journal with you. Thank you to those who shared that these posts triggered positive thoughts for you - I am happy that it made a tiny difference.

And with that, I am going to continue with my journaling offline and I hope you do too! Here’s to a peaceful and positive rest of the year!

Gratitude Journal - 03/28/2020 (others)

Ever since Anvi was born, I haven’t ventured into the kitchen as much. Amma enjoys cooking - it’s her thing. While I enjoy feeding others, it’s not exactly my love language. I thought I’d give her a break today and made dinner tonight. While she is a foodie, she never consumes more than one serving of anything. Tonight she had a couple of servings of the paneer lababdar and I am elated!

I am grateful for having had the opportunity to give my mom a break and watch her enjoy dinner!

What do you love to serve your loved ones?

Gratitude journal (03/27/2020) (TGIF)

Today’s Gratitude prompt: what is your favorite day of the week?

I like my Saturdays. It’s when I am most relaxed and get some ‘me-time’. I also don’t have to rush or think about the upcoming week. I get to spend a little more time with the kids and generally have more energy than most other days of the week.

What’s your favorite day?

Gratitude Journal - 03/26/2020 (Health)

In Trump’s words - America’s has become great again. As of today, we have topped the charts and boast of being the nation with the most number of (known) cases in the globe. Reading news about an Italian nurse with coronavirus killing herself over fear of infecting others and how doctors are starting to face the tragic challenge of rationing medical care is depressing to stay the least. 

This social distancing situation is getting to me and the world news is painful and disturbing. It is particularly getting hard to stay cheerful and positive. So I am going to force myself to be grateful today - if nothing else, I am immensely thankful for giving me the luxury of good health in these trying times. 

Wishing the world healthy times ahead!

Gratitude Journal - 03/25/2020 (Reminder to self)

I am tired you guys. Exhausted. One of those days when I just want to stay in my shell until my brain settles down. One of those days when I am ready to quit on my gratitude journal. It’s almost 10:00 PM and I am ready to call it a day.

But before I do that...
Even though some days last longer than expected, I am grateful for having a job that I enjoy.
Even though I was interrupted only 20 times within the 5 minutes that I was attempting to enjoy my amma’s pakoras, I am grateful for having her around to help bring cheer to this shelter-in-place situation and I am grateful for having two kids that want my attention.
Even though I was less than pleased that my meticulously chalked out day and evening break dint go as planned, I am grateful that N kept A1 away from me this afternoon so I could get work stuff done.

How was your day?

Gratitude Journal - 03/24/2020 (Relaxation)

Today’s Gratitude Prompt: What are some things that make you relax? 

Mine are:
Music - Always...
Pilates - In the more recent past...
And these goof pots - At the end of  long days that don't involve them 😄

What are yours?

Gratitude journal - 03/23/2020 (Quote)

Today has been long and I have miles to go before I can sleep. I often remember some of my favorite quotes/sayings to motivate myself to keep going.

My go-to quote these days is:
“There is peace on the other side of acceptance. There is stress in any other state.”

Today’s gratitude prompt: What is/are your favorite quote(s)/saying(s) that lifts your spirits?

Gratitude journal - 03/22/2020 (Food)

Today’s gratitude prompt: What is one food that you enjoy a lot?

I am going to break the rules here for a bit because there’s more than just ‘one food’; it’s more like a meal! 😄
My mom (and grand mom’s) kallakai pooshnikai Kootu (a.k.a peanut and pumpkin stew) + urlakazhangu roast (potato fry) combo followed by paal poli (

What’s yours?

Gratitude Journal - 03/21/2020 (Nature)

Today’s prompt:
What is something about nature that you are grateful for?

I am a big sucker for sun rises, sun sets and full moon views! It’s SO humbling and calming. 

Gratitude journal - 03/20/2020 (Peaceful)

Today’s prompt: What is one of your most peaceful moments of the day?

Mine is watching my kids asleep. It truly explodes my heart and reenforces the fact that unconditional love exists.

Gratitude Journal - 03/19/2020 (Kick-off)

Just like every one of you reading this, I feel like I am living in a surreal world right now. While I am overwhelmed by the negativity, I have tremendous faith in our human race and I truly hope that we can turn this around. May be this is just a rude awakening for all of us to step back and acknowledge that we are indeed (in Carl Sagan's words) just a Pale Blue Dot ?

With that thought in mind, I am starting a Gratitude journal today and I'd love it if you all can join in the positivity. Every day I'll post a gratitude prompt, the answers to which will hopefully remind me (and anyone that would like to join) of ALL the positive things that we should be grateful for.

PS: This is a "no-judgement-keep-the-anonymity-if-you'd-like-zone".

Today's question: Let's start simple - What are you grateful for today?

I am grateful for the 15 minutes that I spent with my entire family last night when we actually gathered together and laughed about nothing in particular (I can't remember the last time we did that).

Your turn...