Categories
Weekly Gratitude

March 26, 2024

This week I am grateful for

61. An Inspiring Student

62. My Health

63. A family Member’s Health

64. 10% Happier

65. Travel

 

#61: Inspiring Student

I currently work as a Regional Program Manager for an organization that trains youth and young adults in filmmaking. This week, I was reminded of a student from Haiti who was to play a principal in a scene recreation. He is an immigrant and an English learner. The script was in English and he was struggling to deliver the lines and do the scene justice. After multiple failed attempts, we suggested that he should do the lines in French, which is his native language.

We were blown away. It was like a switch flipped. He seamlessly delivered his lines with authority and confidence like I have never seen before. I was very inspired by him. It reminded me of the saying, “If you judge a Fish by it’s ability to climb a tree, it will live its all life believing that it is stupid

#62: My Health

For as long as I can remember, I used to have really bad stomachaches that would even wake me up in the middle of the night. It was excruciating and persistent. It was worse when I was going through a stressful time in my life. This was before I started mindfulness meditation so I did not have any tools to help with my anxiety and stress. What used to work was medicine that my doctor prescribed for the pain but I do not like depending on medication plus it had a terrible taste.

One day, my doctor decided to test me for H.Pylori which he told me could explained some of my symptoms. H.Pylori is a bacterial infection that affects your stomach I leaned after I tested positive. I learned that it usually happens in childhood and the cause can be contaminated water. So not having access to clean water or coming from developing countries can be a risk factor.

I got on an anti-bacterial medication for the first time in my life and two weeks later, all my symptoms had ended. No more waking up in the middle of the night from pain. No more avoiding high acid meals like pasta with red sauce. No more stomach pain when hungry. I could eat fruits with citrus again like oranges and mandarin. I am very grateful for health this week.

#63: A Family Member’s Health

This week I am continuing to be very grateful for a family member’s health. I still can’t share anything publicly but they are recovering well and I am grateful for them and their health.

#64: 10% Happier

Last week I reported that I was grateful for the podcast 10% happier by Dan Harris and that I was looking forward to reading his book by the same name. I am about a third through the book and let me tell you, it is incredible. Thanks Dan for sharing you story with the world. It is very inspiring.

#65: Travel

I traveled to New Jersey this week to visit my partner’s family. I enjoyed the brisk boardwalk, the beautiful skyline, the peaceful ocean, the delicious food, and the great company.

What are you grateful for this week? Feel free to leave me a comment.

See you next week…

Categories
Weekly Gratitude

March 16, 2024

This week I am grateful for…

56. 10 Percent Happier

57. Kind Stranger at Airpot

58. A Family Member’s Health

59. Savoring Tea

60. Kind Store Manager

 

#56: 10 Percent Happier

This week I stumbled upon a podcast by Dan Harris called 10 Percent happier. I was little familiar with Dan Harris and his work on mindfulness before this week, but this was the first time I actually listened to him at length. The more I research him, the more inspired I am becoming. I am very excited to read his NY times bestselling book, 10 Percent Happier.

#57: Kind Stranger at the Airport

I flew to NYC on Thursday this week for work. I was working on my laptop at the gate while waiting for the plane to start boarding. The flight got delayed for an hour and a half which put everyone on edge. My laptop was about to die but none of the outlets were working. All the seats were taken around me and I kept struggling to find an outlet that worked. A kind stranger got up and asked if I wanted to use a working outlet that he was sitting next to. I appreciate you, kind stranger!

#58: A family Members Health

I still can’t share too much publicly but this week I am grateful for a family member’s health. I am very grateful you are beginning to feel better

#59: Savoring Tea

I do not always get a chance to slow down and actually savor my morning cup of tea, but this week I was able to for at least 2 occasions. The science on savoring is pretty clear, slowing down and savoring positive experiences is a powerful source of sustainable happiness and wellbeing.

This week I am grateful for an opportunity to savor my tea. I usually close my eyes and really pay attention to the flavor, temperature, smell etc. of the cup of tea. I also pay attention to any sensations that come up. In this state, I sometimes have flashes of some of the happiest moments of my life. This week it included my travel to Portland, Oregon and Cotopaxi, Ecuador! I am grateful for those moments

#60: Kind Store Manager

This week I went to a True Value Store that had just closed 5 minutes prior. I needed to make copies of a key one for me and the other one for my sister. The lights inside the store were off and I was on a tight timeline so I couldn’t go to any other stores at that time. I knocked at the door hoping they would take me but there was no answer. Just when I had given up and started walking away from the store, I heard the door open behind me. It was the store manager who was very happy to assist. Thank you so much! You saved me a lot of time and stress.

Categories
Weekly Gratitude

March 12, 2024

This week I am grateful for…

51. Local Diner

52. Best Friend

53. The 100 TV Series

54. MBSR

55. Delicious Strawberries

 

#51: Local Diner

There’s something magical about stumbling upon a hidden gem in your own neighborhood, isn’t there? This week, my best friend and I found ourselves basking in the warmth of a local diner, and let me tell you, it was a delightful experience.

From the moment we stepped in, the aroma of homemade soup welcomed us, instantly setting the tone for a great evening. What struck me the most was the genuine friendliness by everyone there. It felt like stepping into a welcoming summer oasis, a place where worries melt away and good vibes flourish. And the food? Oh, it was a symphony of flavors, all at a reasonable price. With each bite, it felt like a tastebud adventure, and I found myself already planning my next visit.

#52: Best Friend

But of course, what’s a memorable experience without your best friend by your side? Their presence added an extra layer of joy to the evening, turning it into an unforgettable memory. It’s moments like these that remind me of the importance of cherished friendships and the simple joys they bring. Thank you for a wonderful time!

#53: MBSR

On Mondays I attend the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) sessions offered by the University of Massachusetts Medical School. These sessions have become a lifeline, offering a sanctuary where I can unwind and center myself. The transformative power of mindfulness cannot be overstated, and I’m immensely thankful for the peace it brings to my life.

#54: The 100 TV Series

I recently started watching the show “The 100” on Netflix. While the acting may not be Oscar-worthy and the plot a little predictable at times, there’s an undeniable allure to the storyline. It’s one of those guilty pleasures that keeps you hooked despite its flaws, and for that, I’m grateful.

#55: Delicious Strawberries

Did you know that strawberries are not widely grown in Kenya? In fact? I did not eat my first strawberry till I moved to the United States. Strawberries can be a hit or miss for me. But this week I ate some really delicious strawberries from Trader Joe’s. I am very grateful for delicious strawberries.

What are you grateful for this week? Feel free to leave me a comment.

See you next week…

 

Categories
Weekly Gratitude

March 2, 2024

This week I am grateful for…

46. Sushi

47. Leap Year

48. 60 Degree Weather

49. A Family Member’s Health

50. Student Loan Forgiveness

 

#46: Sushi

Earlier this week, I was at a Japanese restaurant with some very reasonably priced but delicious sushi. My partner’s family have been going to that restaurant for a long time and I am very happy they introduced me to it. I love the sushi from this place so much that I have notes on my phone with all the options of sushi they have with a score indicating how much I love that specific kind. Tied for number one is Shrimp Tempura and Eel with Avocado sushi!! I can never seem to eat enough sushi. I am very grateful for sushi this week.

#47: A Family Member’s Health

I cannot share too much publicly about this but my whole family had a scare this week concerning a family member’s health. Sounds like all will be well so I am very grateful for that family members health this week. Matter of fact, I am grateful for all members of my family’s health.

#48: Leap Year

This year 2024 is a leap year. I have always found it fascinating that we get a whole full day a year every 4 years. We only get to see 25 of those years if we are fortunate enough to live to be 100. I have already seen 7 of those and I hope I get to see at least 18 more. I am grateful for the leap year this week.

#49: Student Loan Forgiveness

Given that I work for a not-for-profit organization, I qualify for student loan forgiveness. I believe education should be free for everyone but until then, I am very grateful for the student forgiveness program. I still have a very very long way to go but I am grateful that I am on the path to student loan forgiveness.

#50: 60 Degree Weather

On Wednesday this week, it was very warm for February. It was 60 degrees Fahrenheit at 2pm in the afternoon. I am grateful I got a chance to go for a walk outside in that beautiful weather. Spring is around the corner. I can feel it.

What are you grateful for this week? Feel free to leave me a comment.

See you next week…