Categories
Weekly Gratitude

August 30, 2024

This week I am grateful for…

176. Cool Weather

177. Friends

178. Night Walk

179. Vegetable Soup

180. Meditation Room

 

#176: Cool Weather

This week brought a refreshing change—the weather finally cooled down to the mid-70s, and the nights are now crisp enough that we don’t need the air conditioner. It’s a small but welcome relief. My partner is convinced that this winter will be particularly cold; I suppose we’ll have to wait and see. But for now, I can feel fall approaching, and I couldn’t be more excited for the season’s arrival.

#177: Night Walk

One evening this week, I took a walk just after sunset, and it was truly magical. That time of day, when the sky is painted with the last hues of twilight, has always been a favorite time of day for me. As I walked, I noticed bats dancing through the air—two of them were either playfully chasing each other or competing for food. It was a small, moment that made the walk all the more enjoyable.

#178: Vegetable Soup

My partner and I whipped up a delicious vegetable soup this week, packed with kale, tomatoes, onions, carrots, green beans, chickpeas, and more. It turned out so good, warming us from the inside out. I’m incredibly grateful for the simple pleasure of cooking together and savoring a comforting bowl of homemade soup.

#179: Friends

I had the pleasure of hanging out with friends this week, and it reminded me just how much I cherish these moments. There’s something incredibly special about spending time with amazing people who uplift and inspire you. This week, I’m especially grateful for the warmth and joy my friends bring into my life.

#180: Meditation Room

At work, we have a special room designed for prayer, meditation, or simply finding a moment of peace. I’m so thankful for this space—I use it almost every day to recharge and center myself. With access to mindfulness app- Calm through my school, I feel fortunate to have these tools and spaces that support mindfulness in my daily life.

 

What are you grateful for this week?

Categories
Weekly Gratitude

August 28, 2024

This week I am grateful for…

171. Hot Shower

172. Work

173. Coworker

174. Tomatoes

175. Air Conditioner

 

#171: Hot Showers

During the Silent Meditation Retreat I mentioned in my last post, I took only cold showers. On my first day, I turned on the shower, and cold water greeted me. Since I always turn off the water to lather up and conserve it, I assumed the retreat center didn’t have hot water. Unable to ask anyone about it because of my silence, I embraced the challenge. By the third day, I actually started to enjoy those brisk, cold showers—they felt invigorating! Reminded me of cold showers in Kenya. It wasn’t until the final day that I discovered the water simply took a little time to warm up. That last warm shower felt absolutely glorious, a comforting reminder of life’s simple pleasures.

#172: Work

Returning to daily life after the retreat took some adjustment, but this week, I found myself feeling especially grateful for my work. As I’ve shared before, I recently started a new job at a local community college, and I’m really enjoying it. The sense of purpose and fulfillment I get from my work has been a blessing, helping me smoothly transition back into the rhythm of everyday life.

#173: Coworkers

I firmly believe that the people you work with play a huge role in how much you enjoy your job. This week, I’ve been particularly appreciative of my coworkers. They’ve been incredibly kind and supportive, making me even more excited to build strong, collaborative relationships with them as time goes on. It’s reassuring to know I’m surrounded by such a positive team.

#174: Tomatoes

Our garden continues to bless us with an abundance of ripe tomatoes, and this week, I’m especially grateful for the gardening experience and the delicious produce. There’s something deeply satisfying about picking fresh, homegrown tomatoes and enjoying their rich, juicy flavor. It’s a simple yet profound reminder of the rewards that come from nurturing and tending to the earth.

#175: Car Air Conditioner

With the summer heat in full swing, I’m incredibly thankful for my car’s air conditioner. This week has been scorching, and without it, my car would easily reach temperatures over 105 degrees. It’s such a relief to step into a cool, comfortable car after being out in the blazing sun. Sometimes, it’s the little things—like a cool breeze on a hot day—that make all the difference.

What are you grateful for this week?

 

Categories
Weekly Gratitude

August 25, 2024

This week I am grateful for…

166. Silence

167. Community

168. Awe moment 1

169. Awe moment 2

170. Nature

 

#166: Silence

Two weeks ago, I embarked on a five-day silent retreat at Karme Choling Meditation Retreat Center in Barnet,Vermont. I’m eager to share the profound gratitude I experienced during that time. It was my first silent retreat—a journey where I spent five days in silence, meditating for eight hours each day.

The first thing I am deeply grateful for is the silence itself. It’s astonishing how much you learn about yourself, your thoughts, your surroundings, and even other people when you choose to be silent. The retreat allowed me to observe my thoughts and emotions in real-time, without the usual distractions. Over those five days, I began to notice patterns in my thinking. I became aware of where my mind tends to wander, and I was able to evaluate whether those thoughts were serving me. If they weren’t, I felt empowered to gently let them go.

There were moments when the urge to speak was almost overwhelming, especially when I was in the company of others in a casual setting. Yet, I discovered the power of non-verbal communication—how much connection can be achieved through simple gestures and body language. In short, the silence was transformative. It’s incredible how much you can notice about yourself and the world around you when you embrace silence. I would highly recommend a silence retreat for anyone seeking peace, joy, and personal insight.

#167: Community

The retreat wouldn’t have been as meaningful without the incredible community that surrounded me. The teachers were knowledgeable and truly inspiring, guiding us with wisdom and compassion. My fellow participants were supportive and kind, adding layers of richness to the experience. I’m deeply grateful for each and every one of them, as they made the retreat not just rewarding, but deeply meaningful and unforgettable.

#168: Awe Moment 1

During the retreat, I experienced two moments of intense awe and gratitude. The first occurred on the third day during a walking meditation. We strolled through a garden bursting with vibrant flowers. After three days of silence and eight hours of daily meditation, I found myself in a state of profound peace, fully present in the moment. As I knelt down to smell two different flowers, I was struck by the beauty around me—the bright colors, the fresh scents, and the sight of tomatoes ripening from dark green to bright red. My heart swelled with gratitude for the Earth and its endless gifts. A tear slipped down my cheek, and for about ten minutes, I was enveloped in an overwhelming sense of gratitude—a feeling that stayed with me for the rest of the retreat.

#169: Awe Moment 2

The second awe-inspiring moment happened later that evening. It had been raining on and off throughout the day, with a hurricane passing nearby. During our last meditation session at 7 PM, the rain was pouring down. But as the session ended at 7:30, the rain stopped. A fellow participant gestured that there was something beautiful outside, and I rushed out, thinking I might catch a glimpse of a rainbow. Instead, I was greeted by a breathtaking sight—the moon, enormous and radiant, peeking through fast-moving clouds at dusk.

Drawn by the beauty, I walked down to a stream that passes close by. The power and sound of the water was humbling. As I looked up hill, I saw tall grass swaying gently in the wind, and the moon glowing brightly as the clouds danced across the sky. I was filled with an intense sense of awe, gratitude, and pure joy. The birds were singing their final songs before nightfall, and in that moment, I felt incredibly fortunate to be alive, witnessing such natural beauty.

#170: Nature

This retreat reminded me of just how breathtaking nature can be, especially when observed in silence. The retreat was nestled amidst mountains, their slopes lush with a variety of green trees. I noticed the vivid colors of birds and their sweet songs, the intricate patterns of rocks, and the dance of butterflies. Throughout the week, I encountered deer, a groundhog, and even fish in the stream.

On the last night, a meteor shower lit up the sky. I woke in the middle of the night to marvel at the stars, and in remote Vermont, it was undimmed by light pollution. At 4 AM, I joined two other participants to watch the sunrise, a moment of serene beauty that filled me with joy. For all these experiences, I am profoundly grateful.

What are you grateful for this week?

Categories
Weekly Gratitude

August 16, 2024

This week I am grateful for…

161. My Name

162. Niece

163. Older Brother

164. Friends

165. Basketball with Partner

 

#161: My Name

In my culture, naming traditions are taken seriously. The firstborn boy is named after his paternal grandfather, and the firstborn girl after her paternal grandmother. The second-born children are named after the maternal grandparents. If there are more children, as was the case in my family, they’re named after the parents’ siblings in order of birth. I was supposed to have a different name, but a happy accident led to me being named Peter. I love my name and the story behind it.

#162: Niece

Kids can be unintentionally hilarious. This week, my sister was about to share something sensitive over the phone and asked my niece to give us some space. Without missing a beat, my niece said, “Ok, but you go away though!” Her innocent humor brought so much joy to my day. Thank you for the laughter, baby niece.

#163: Older Brother

As the youngest in my family, I was fortunate to have protective older siblings. This week, I reminisced about how my older brother shielded me from bullies in primary school. His protection made my school experience much more enjoyable. I don’t think I’ve ever properly thanked him—my primary school years wouldn’t have been the same without him.

#164: Friends

A big thank you to my friends who were there for me this week. Your support means the world to me.

#165: Basketball with Partner

I’m grateful for the fun of playing basketball with my partner this week. That ball fake you have is deadly!

What are you grateful for this week?

Categories
Weekly Gratitude

August 8, 2024

This week I am grateful for…

156. The Olympics

157. Meditation Retreat

158. Health

159. Rain

160. Working Out

 

#156: The Olympics

The Summer 2024 Olympics in Paris kicked off last week, and I’ve been absolutely glued to the screen! As a huge fan, especially of track and field events, there’s nothing quite like watching these incredible athletes give their all after years of intense training. This season, one of the standout moments for me has been witnessing Mondo Duplantis set not one, but two consecutive world records in the pole vault. The energy was electric, and it was heartwarming to see his fellow competitors cheering him on as he attempted, and ultimately succeeded, in breaking his own record on the third try.

I’ve also been captivated by the relays and long-distance races like the 5000m and 10000m. There’s an indescribable pride I feel when I see Kenyan athletes crossing the finish line in those fiercely competitive races. It’s been a thrilling Olympic season, and I’m grateful for every inspiring moment.

#157: Meditation Retreat

Next week, I’m embarking on a new journey—my first silent meditation retreat! It’s a 5-day retreat in a remote part of New England, where we’ll be completely disconnected from electronics and the outside world. I’m excited, but there’s definitely a bit of nervous anticipation about what’s to come. The thought of being in total silence for that long is both intriguing and daunting. I can’t wait to share my experiences with you all in a future post, so stay tuned!

#158: Health

Three weeks ago, I tested positive for COVID. It wasn’t easy—I dealt with a terrible headache, sore throat, constant sneezing, fatigue, and even lost my sense of taste. But this week, I’m feeling so much better, and I’m incredibly grateful for my health. It’s easy to take it for granted until it’s compromised.

#159: Rain

I’ve come to realize that I might enjoy the rain more than most people! I’m not entirely sure why, but I’ve got a few theories. Whatever the reason, I’m thankful for the rain this week. It’s brought cooler temperatures and has done wonders for our garden. There’s something soothing about the sound of rain, and I’m grateful for the sense of peace it brings.

#160: Workouts

Mornings are my favorite time to work out—they set the tone for the entire day! My routine usually starts with a short yoga stretch, followed by a 30-minute meditation session, and then I dive into my workout. I aim to exercise every other day, and the mornings when I get to follow this routine feel extra special. This week, I’m particularly grateful for those energizing workouts that help me start the day on a high note.

What are you grateful for this week?