Month: October 2024

This week I am grateful for…

216. Mindfulness and Community

217. First Comments on my Blog

218. Fall Festival

219. Spotting Bald Eagles

220. A Lesson in Generosity While Driving

#216: Mindfulness and Community

Over the past month, I’ve been attending an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course at Brown University. It’s been a truly transformative experience. Each week, we dive into deep, meaningful conversations that leave me feeling enriched and connected. Our instructor is so knowledgeable and inspiring, and the community we’ve built in the class is something I’m deeply grateful for. It’s a reminder that growth happens not just in the quiet moments of reflection but in sharing that space with others on a similar journey.

#217: First Comments on My Blog

I started this blog in December 2023 with a simple goal: to create and share content from the heart. Last month, I took the leap and shared it with friends and family, inviting their suggestions and feedback. They had such thoughtful and creative ideas for making it more engaging! I felt so grateful for their support and took their advice to update older posts and refine new ones. And this month, something wonderful happened: I received not one, but three comments on my October 13th post! Your support means the world to me—thank you for being a part of this journey!

#218: Fall Festival Adventures 🍂

Last weekend, my partner and I went to an apple festival at Mount Wachusett in North Central Massachusetts. The weather was picture-perfect: 70 degrees, sunny, and not a cloud in the sky. The festival was buzzing with energy, and since parking was a bit of a walk, we decided to skip the shuttle and walk the ten-minute trail instead. The walk was magical, with breathtaking views of the mountains and vibrant fall foliage. We spotted birds along the way, taking in the crisp air and golden hues.

Some festival highlights? Sipping on warm apple cider, meeting a llama and two delightful alpacas, enjoying a sky ride, and exploring a marketplace filled with unique vendors. Here is one photo I took that does not do the view justice at all…

There’s something special about these moments that remind you of the beauty of this Fall.

#219: A Double Bald Eagle Sighting

Speaking of beauty, I had not one, but two unexpected encounters with bald eagles this week! The first was on our walk to the fall festival. At first, I mistook the eagle for a turkey vulture until I saw its unmistakable white head and tail. I was so excited that I pointed it out to a few nearby people, and we all paused to admire its graceful flight.

Later that day, on the drive home, another eagle crossed our path about 20 minutes from home. I am grateful for nature as it has a way of giving us these fleeting, magical moments that leave a lasting impression.

#220: A Lesson in Generosity While Driving

I had a bit of a revelation this week during my morning commute. I was running late and, as usual, it seemed like the universe was throwing every slow-moving car in my path. When the driver ahead of me stopped at a yellow light we both could have made, frustration almost took over. But instead, I caught myself. I took a few deep breaths and made a choice: compassion over irritation.

What followed was unexpected. The energy of the commute shifted. I even let someone merge in front of me, which felt liberating. And to my delight, that person passed the kindness along by letting another car merge later. My morning turned into something less stressful, and in the end, I was actually on time. Talk about karma!

Weekly Spotlight

This week, I wanted to share a powerful quote from 10% Happier by Dan Harris:

“Make the present moment your friend rather than your enemy. Because many people live habitually as if the present moment were an obstacle that they need to overcome in order to get to the next moment. And imagine living your whole life like that, where always this moment is never quite right, not good enough because you need to get to the next one. That is continuous stress.”

If you are interested in learning how to live in the moment, check out Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction at Umass Memorial or at Brown University.

What are grateful for this week?

This week I am grateful for…

211. Fall Foliage at a Park

212. Breathtaking Full Moon

213. A Glowing Sunset

214. Apple Oatmeal

215. A Surprisingly Quick Oil Change

#211: Fall Foliage at a Park

This week, my partner and I took a peaceful walk through a park in Central Massachusetts, and the scenery was nothing short of magical. The fall leaves were at their peak, and the vibrant shades of yellow, red, orange, and green painted the landscape like a work of art. I couldn’t stop marveling at the beauty around me! I captured a few photos, but they hardly do justice to the breathtaking view. Here is one.

#212: Breathtaking Full Moon

Driving home one evening just an hour after sunset, I witnessed something that stopped me in my tracks—a massive full moon hovering on the horizon. It was one of the largest and brightest moons I’ve ever seen! As I merged onto the highway, the moon loomed so large in the sky, I let out an instinctive “Woah!” right in the middle of listening to the radio. The sheer size and brilliance of the moon made me feel incredibly small and reminded me of the vastness of the universe. It was a humbling, awe-inspiring moment.

#213: A Glowing Sunset

You know that magical orange glow that happens just before the sun dips below the horizon? I was lucky enough to catch one of those perfect sunsets this week. The clouds lit up with a bright, fiery hue that only lasted a few fleeting minutes, but it was enough to remind me of how stunning nature can be when you pause to appreciate it.

#214: Apple Oatmeal

In my kitchen this week, I’ve been experimenting with apple recipes, and I stumbled upon another winner—apple oatmeal made on the stovetop. Imagine warm oats simmered with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and sliced apples, all topped off with crunchy walnuts. It was pure comfort in a bowl and a perfect fall breakfast. I loved it so much, that I might add it to the breakfast rotation.

#215: A Surprisingly Quick Oil Change

Life has been busy this week, and my car was long overdue for an oil change. On a whim, I stopped by a local express oil change shop, expecting a long wait. To my surprise, there was only one car ahead of me, and I was in and out in 30 minutes! The cherry on top? They threw in a free car wash for choosing their service and even fixed one of my wipers, which had been making an obnoxious sound for weeks. Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.

Weekly Spotlight

This week’s spotlight shines on a moment of gratitude from a family member who commented on a previous post.

It has been somewhat challenging week but one beautiful thing this week was seeing my son swimming, more like learning to swim, with his father in the pool 🏊! Soo grateful to be alive and well to witness that!

What are you grateful for this week?

This week I am grateful for…

206. Breakfast Pancakes

207. Fall Leaves

208. Apple Crisp

209. Red Tailed Hawk

210. Mindfulness Journey

#206: Breakfast Pancakes

This week, my partner and I whipped up some delicious protein pancakes, and let me tell you, they were a hit! We experimented with blueberry, chocolate chip, and plain varieties, all of which came out perfectly. Our favorite way to top these pancakes is with a mix of frozen berries reduced on the stovetop to create fruit syrup drizzled generously over the stack. Of course, we couldn’t resist adding some maple syrup and some whipped cream. Just writing this has my mouth watering all over again! Here’s a photo of our beautiful creation—doesn’t it just look irresistible?

#207: Fall Leaves

Fall is in full swing, and I’m loving every minute of it. The trees in my neighborhood are showing off their vibrant colors—some are still in the midst of changing, while others have already shed most of their leaves, looking like overachievers! The weather has been a perfect mix of cool breezes with the occasional day reaching the 70s, giving me the best of both worlds. I snapped a picture of one of the trees near my apartment this week. Here it is…

Every time I mindfully observe the changing leaves I feel a wave of seasonal bliss wash over me.

#208:Apple Crisp

This week, I made what might just be the best apple crisp of my life. Seriously! I used apples I picked fresh from the orchard last week, and they turned into a sweet, crunchy masterpiece. My girlfriend couldn’t agree more—she was just as enthusiastic about how delicious it turned out. I paired it with vanilla bean ice cream, and the combination was heavenly.

I’ll definitely be making this again soon!

#209: Mindfulness Journey

A few weeks ago, in Week 37, I mentioned enrolling in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course at Brown University. This week, I’m especially grateful for the amazing people in that class. The diversity of knowledge and experiences that has been shared so far has been truly eye-opening. I’m also incredibly thankful for our MBSR instructor, whose wisdom and support have been invaluable on this journey. Stay tuned—there’s more to come on this path mindfulness path.

#210: Red-Tailed Hawk

While outside at work this week, something extraordinary caught my eye. A massive red-tailed hawk came swooping down from a tree, gliding through the air with incredible precision. Unfortunately for the hawk, it missed its target, but the power of its wings sent a flurry of fallen leaves swirling into the air. It then soared back to the tree, but landed so low that one of my brave coworkers managed to get close enough to snap a picture. Here’s the stunning shot she captured—an awe-inspiring moment!

 

Weekly Spotlight

Thanks to the generous feedback I received from family and friends a few weeks ago, I’m excited to introduce this new section in my weekly gratitude posts! Each week, I’ll be highlighting something special—whether it’s a resource, a story, words of wisdom, scientific research on mindfulness, gratitude, and happiness, or even someone else’s gratitude moments. The goal is simple: to educate, inspire, and engage readers.

So, let’s dive in!

This week’s spotlight shines on an inspiring quote from The How of Happiness by the renowned Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky, a trailblazer in the science of happiness:

“[Optimism] is not about providing a recipe for self-deception. The world can be a horrible, cruel place, and at the same time it can be wonderful and abundant. These are both truths. There is not a halfway point; there is only choosing which truth to put in your personal foreground.”
― Sonja Lyubomirsky, The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want

 

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Leave a comment on what brought you joy this week.

This week I am grateful for…

201. Walk to the Laundry Room

202. Waitress Remembering You

203. Weekends Off

204. Banana Oatmeal Bar

205. Taste

#201: Walk to the Laundry Room

At my apartment complex, the laundry room is a short three-minute walk from my place. When the weather is nice, that brief stroll becomes one of my favorite parts of doing laundry. It’s a simple pleasure—feeling the sun on my face, breathing in the fresh air, and enjoying a few peaceful moments before getting back to my chores.

#202: Waitress Remembering You

This week, my girlfriend and I visited a local sushi spot, and to our surprise, the waitress remembered us and even our usual sushi order. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not, but it definitely gave us a good laugh. It was a light-hearted moment, and I was grateful for the shared laughter with my girlfriend and the waitress—it added a fun twist to our evening out.

#203: Weekend Off

One thing I often take for granted is having weekends off. Not everyone has that luxury—my partner, for instance, is a nurse and sometimes has to work weekends. I’ve also had jobs in the past where weekends weren’t always free. But this week, I had the entire weekend to myself, and I’m particularly grateful for the freedom to do whatever I wished. It was a much-needed break, and I didn’t take a single moment of it for granted.

#204: Banana Oatmeal Bars

My girlfriend and I recently discovered an amazing Banana Oatmeal Bar recipe that has quickly become a breakfast staple in our home. The best part? The recipe calls for very ripe bananas, which means we haven’t wasted a single banana since we found it. These bars are not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. You can enjoy them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even dessert. This week, I am especially grateful for these tasty treats.

#205: Taste

A few weeks ago, I tested positive for COVID, and along with other symptoms, I lost my sense of taste. I wouldn’t call myself a foodie, but I do enjoy a good meal, so losing that ability was incredibly frustrating. This week, I’m beyond grateful to be able to savor food. It’s amazing how much you can miss something as simple as taste until it’s gone.

What are you grateful for this week?