Month: September 2024

This week I am grateful for…

196. Friends and Family

197. Electricity

198. Working Out

199. Kind Stranger

200. Apple Picking

#196: Family and Friends

Today’s post looks a little different from the others, and there’s a good reason! I recently shared my blog with friends and family, asking for their feedback, and they didn’t disappoint. One of the best suggestions was to change the heading to reflect the actual date, and I’ve also decided to number my gratitude moments—starting at 1 and ending at 260 by the end of the year thanks to their feedback.

I just want to take a moment to thank each of you who took the time to fill out my feedback survey. Your insights and support mean the world to me. I’m truly grateful for my family and friends—you guys make everything better!

#197: Electricity

This week, I had one of those crazy, packed days where I needed to squeeze in my daily meditation and charge my phone before a full schedule of chores and errands. Luckily, I had my fast charger with me, so I found a quiet spot to meditate while my phone powered up. By the end of my 30-minute session, I was fully charged—both physically and mentally—and ready to tackle the day.

That moment made me reflect on how convenient electricity is now. Growing up in Kitale, Kenya, we didn’t have electricity at home, and my siblings and I would have to travel into town every few days just to charge cell phones. We used phone sparingly, mostly for important calls and texts. In a way, I miss the simplicity of those days, but I’m also incredibly grateful for the ease and comfort that reliable electricity brings to my life today.

#198: Working Out

I recently joined the YMCA, and wow—it’s been a total game-changer! Their functional training classes are intense, challenging, and exactly what I needed to push my fitness to the next level. What’s even better is the sense of community that comes with working out alongside others. The collaboration in those classes makes me look forward to each session, even if my legs and chest are still sore as I type this!
I’m thankful for this new chapter in my fitness journey and for the YMCA community that’s helping me grow stronger every day.

#199: A Kind Stranger

While at the mall this week, my partner realized she’d misplaced her phone. Cue the panic—we had been to so many stores, and we had no idea where it could be. Just as we were about to give up hope, she had the idea to call her phone. I dialed, and after a few rings, just when I thought we’d be sent to voicemail, someone picked up!

It was a stranger who had found the phone and, get this, he waited for us to come all the way back to where we’d left it. His patience and kindness in that moment were so refreshing. To that kind stranger, if you ever read this: thank you. You reminded me how wonderful people can be.

#200: Apple Picking

This week, I went apple picking with friends for the second time this season, and it was just as magical as the first. There’s something about being out in nature, picking fresh apples straight from the tree, and enjoying moments of laughter and connection with the people you love. We indulged in warm cider donuts, sipped apple cider, and even spent time with some farm animals. It was the kind of day that felt like a perfect snapshot of Fall—filled with joy, warmth, and memories that will last. Here goes one pic from the occasion.

I’m incredibly grateful for this experience and for the friends who made it so special. Here’s to more days like this!

What are you grateful for this week?

This week I am grateful for…

191. Car Payment Freedom

192.Good Vibes with Friends

193. Sound of Fall Leaves

194. Furiosa

195. Cute Notes

#191: Car Payment Freedom

After ten unforgettable years with my trusty Honda sedan, affectionately named Vikki, I had to say goodbye when it was time to sell. We shared countless memories, and parting with her was bittersweet. To honor the good times, I decided to invest in a new hybrid of the same brand. While it wasn’t cheap, I made a sizable down payment and worked hard to pay it off quickly to avoid those high-interest rates. Two months ago, I made my final payment, and I’m thrilled to say goodbye to those monthly car payments! The sense of financial freedom from car payments is a huge win this week.

#192: Good Vibes with Friends

This week was a blast as I got to spend quality time with friends. We kicked off the fun with apple picking, followed by a delicious grill session featuring burgers and hotdogs. The laughter and good vibes were infectious, and I’m already looking forward to our next get-together. There’s nothing like the joy of hanging out with great people!

#193: Sound of Fall Leaves

Autumn has officially arrived, and I’m soaking up every bit of it. While walking through the neighborhood, I couldn’t help but relish the crunch of fall leaves beneath my feet. It’s still early in the season, so the leaves are just starting to pile up, but it’s a welcome reminder of the cozy days ahead. Stay tuned for more autumn-inspired updates!

#194: Furiosa Movie Night

I finally watched Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, the prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road. If you’ve seen the latter, you know how gripping it is, and the prequel lives up to that intensity. It’s a bit on the violent side, but it keeps you hooked from start to finish. I’m grateful for powerful cinema like Furiosa that keeps me on the edge of my seat.

#195: Heartfelt Notes

My wonderful girlfriend, despite her busy work schedule, took the time to leave me two handwritten notes. Her thoughtfulness and love mean the world to me, and these little surprises are a reminder of how lucky I am.

What about you? What brought you gratitude this week?

This week I am grateful for…

186. Difficult DEI Conversations

187. Short Week

188. Crickets

189. Walk to Ice Cream Shop

190. Mangoes

 

#186: Difficult DEI Conversations

This week, I had the opportunity to attend a DEI workshop on the art of navigating difficult conversations. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are deeply meaningful to me, a passion that grew during my grad school years. The trainer’s depth of knowledge was impressive, and I walked away with valuable insights that I’m eager to apply. I’m truly grateful for this chance to learn and grow.

#187: A Short Work Week

Is there anything better than a holiday that shortens the work week? Here I am, writing this on a Thursday morning, and it still feels like a Wednesday! Yet, tomorrow is already Friday. This week has flown by, and I’m so thankful for the extra day of rest and the feeling of the work week moving just a little bit faster.

#188: Crickets

During my 5-day silent retreat in remote Vermont, something unexpected happened—I started hearing crickets. At first, I thought the sound was unique to Vermont, but when I returned home, they were still there, clear as ever. I figured it must be the season making them so active. Then, I had a lightbulb moment. When I asked my partner, who hadn’t been on a silent retreat, she mentioned she rarely noticed them unless she paused and really listened. That’s when it hit me: the crickets were always there; I just hadn’t been paying attention. This week, I’m grateful for mindfulness—and for crickets.

#189: A Walk to the Ice Cream Store

This week, my partner and I decided to walk to a local ice cream shop, about a 20-minute stroll from our apartment. We didn’t go for the ice cream this time but for the journey itself. Along the way, we enjoyed the beautiful views of trees, birds, and a sprawling open farm in the background. It was a simple but refreshing walk, and I’m so thankful for those small moments of peace and connection.

#190: Delicious Mangoes

A few weeks ago, in Week 31, I wrote about the delicious mangoes I bought at a local Indian market. This week, I couldn’t resist going back for more, and they did not disappoint! I’m so grateful for the little joys, like finding a fresh batch of delicious mangoes to savor once again.

What are you grateful for this week?

This week I am grateful for…

181. Flying Geese

182. Leaves Turning

183. MBSR Course

184. A Holiday Off

185. Butterflies at the Park

 

#181: Flying Geese

My morning commute is usually about 45 minutes without traffic. But this week, something magical happened on one of those drives that made the journey feel much shorter. As I passed a pond on my right, a family of geese suddenly appeared, soaring alongside my car. For about 10 seconds, we moved together at the same speed, the morning sun reflecting off their black, white, and grey feathers. It was a fleeting moment, but one that filled my heart with a sense of gratitude.

#182: Leaves Turning

 

It’s official: fall is here! The air is getting cooler, bright yellow school buses are back on the roads, and the leaves are starting to turn. Autumn has always been my favorite season, and I’m excited for the crisp days, the warm colors, and everything that this season brings. Stay tuned for more Fall grateful moments.

#183: MBSR Course

This fall, I’ve embarked on a new journey by enrolling in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course. My goal is to become certified to teach MBSR so I can share the gift of peace, love, compassion, and joy through mindfulness. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity and for the incredible support and guidance from the staff at Brown University. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me!

#184: A Holiday Off

This week was Labor Day, and I was able to enjoy a well-deserved day off. I spent the day catching up on household chores, but it also gave me time to relax and recharge. There’s nothing better than a day of rest to rejuvenate before diving back into the hustle and bustle of a regular work week.

#185: Butterflies at the Park

On Saturday, my partner and I took a walk through Callahan State Park in Framingham, MA. We were lucky enough to witness beautiful butterflies flitting gracefully from one flower to another, their vibrant colors dancing in the sunlight. We took a few deep breaths and immersed ourselves in the beauty of nature, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for that simple, pure moment.

What are you grateful for this week?