Month: December 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…

221. Hot Beef Stew on a Cold Day

222. Canceled Meetings

223. Portable Tea Mug

224. Good Excuse for Eating Candy

225. Sunset View After Work

#221: Hot Beef Stew on a Cold Day

After a long, stressful day at work this week, I came home to an unexpected gift. Before I even opened the door, the delicious aroma hit me—I thought it might be from a neighbor’s apartment, but no, it was coming from inside. I walked in to discover my partner had prepared homemade beef stew and freshly baked bread from scratch. After a day filled with stress, this warm, comforting meal was exactly what I needed. Nothing beats hot beef stew and fresh-baked bread on a cold, rainy fall evening. It was a beautiful reminder of how much thoughtfulness and love can lift a person up. See the picture of it above.

#222: Canceled Meetings

Have you ever felt that creeping dread as a meeting approaches? You keep checking the clock—an hour turns to 45 minutes, then 30… Finally, you accept your fate and prepare yourself. But then, you hear that familiar “Bing” from your inbox: “I apologize for the late notice, but I won’t be able to make it…” And just like that, you’re doing an internal dance of relief and thanking the universe. You graciously reply, “No problem at all, we can reschedule…”—but what you really want to say is, “Thank you for saving us all!”

#223: My Portable Tea Mug

This week, my portable tea mug has been my best friend. On busy mornings when I barely have time to grab breakfast, it’s there, keeping my tea warm and helping me feel just a little more grounded as I head to work. You’ve kept me caffeinated and motivated, dear tea mug, and I’m so grateful for the comfort you bring.

#224: A Good Excuse to Eat Candy

Halloween was on Thursday, and I was more than happy to have a “real” excuse to indulge in my favorite treats. The weather was in the mid-70s—ideal for sharing candy with students at work and getting a few treats for myself. KitKats, Skittles, and Snickers found their way to me, guilt-free. It’s not every day you get to enjoy a mini-candy-fest without a second thought!

Sunset Views After Work

With the days getting shorter, I now get to leave work just before sunset. There’s something magical about stepping outside and being greeted by the rich oranges and deep pinks of the setting sun, especially as they cast their glow on the autumn leaves. Mother Nature, you’re an artist, and you make my commute infinitely more beautiful. Thank you for painting the sky each evening and reminding me to pause and marvel at your beauty. Here is one pic I took this week.

Weekly Spotlight

This week’s spotlight is a quote on gratitude:

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie

What are you grateful for this week?

I wanted to start by acknowledging that we had an elections this week in the USA but I will not be making any comments about that on this post

This week I am grateful for…

226. An All-Day Silent Mindfulness Retreat

227. Words of Wisdom

228. A Moment of Courage

229. A Cozy Moment on a Chilly Day

230. Lemon Mango Tea

#226: An All-Day Silent Mindfulness Retreat

As part of my 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course this fall, I participated in an All-Day Silent Retreat hosted in-person at Brown University. Walking into the retreat space, I was delighted to find over 25 other participants who also chose to be there in-person. The experience was truly meaningful, enriched by inspirational talks from knowledgeable teachers (who were the only ones allowed to talk) and an atmosphere brimming with mindful insights. Many of us were surprised at how quickly the eight hours flew by, a testament to how absorbing and transformative the day was.

During a brief outdoor walking meditation, we were fortunate to enjoy the warmth of a 65-degree day. The fresh air and a serene riverside path, with views of Providence’s skyline, provided a beautiful setting that deepened the experience. See a photo that I took above. I walked away from the retreat with profound gratitude—for the opportunity to connect, for the insightful teachers, and for the quiet, shared presence of everyone there.

#227: Words of Wisdom

One of the teachers shared a powerful reflection on how emotions like anger and frustration can take hold of us. According to research, intense emotions like these biologically last only around 90 seconds. After that, it’s up to us; what lingers is often fueled by our thoughts and responses. The teacher pointed out how easily a situation can escalate when we react impulsively. For instance, when someone says something hurtful, if we react in anger, it can strain the relationship far longer than those initial seconds of emotion.

Imagine that same scenario approached mindfully: noticing the anger in real-time, allowing it to pass, and then, when calm, addressing the situation constructively. While easier said than done, this approach has the potential to transform how we relate to others—and to ourselves.

#228: A Moment of Courage

That day, I had a small yet powerful moment of courage during a loving-kindness meditation. This practice involves sending love and kindness to others, including dear friends, oneself, a neutral person, a challenging person, and even the whole planet. We silently repeated phrases like, “May you be safe, may you be healthy, may you be at ease, may you feel loved.”

The instructor encouraged us to send these thoughts to someone close to us, even if they were no longer with us in a physical sense. For the first time, I chose to visualize a family member I lost two and a half years ago. It took courage, but I allowed myself to feel the sadness without resisting it, sitting with the emotion fully from start to finish. It was a bittersweet but deeply healing experience for which I am profoundly grateful.

#229: A Cozy Moment on a Chilly Day

The days are getting shorter, with the sun now setting around 4:30 p.m., and each week seems to draw us closer to the depths of winter. While the early darkness can feel a little gloomy, I’m finding myself savoring cozy moments more. This week, I felt particularly grateful for the simple joy of snuggling under a warm blanket on a cold day—one of life’s small comforts that brings an instant feeling of peace and warmth.

#230: Lemon Mango Tea

Earlier this year, during a trip to Pittsburgh, I picked up two types of decaf tea, one of which was a delightful lemon mango blend. This week, that tea has been my go-to comfort on brisk evenings. Its citrusy aroma fills the room, and each sip brings a small moment of joy and warmth. In moments like these, I’m reminded of the power of small rituals to bring a sense of calm and contentment.

Weekly Spotlight

This week spotlight is a Poem by Safire Rose:

She let go.

She let go. Without a thought or a word, she let go.

She let go of the fear.

She let go of the judgments.

She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head.

She let go of the committee of indecision within her.

She let go of all the ‘right’ reasons.

Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go.

She didn’t ask anyone for advice.

She didn’t read a book on how to let go.

She didn’t search the scriptures.

She just let go.

She let go of all of the memories that held her back.

She let go of all of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward.

She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right.

She didn’t promise to let go.

She didn’t journal about it.

She didn’t write the projected date in her Day-Timer.

She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper.

She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope.

She just let go.

She didn’t analyze whether she should let go.

She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter.

She didn’t do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment.

She didn’t call the prayer line.

She didn’t utter one word.

She just let go.

No one was around when it happened.

There was no applause or congratulations.

No one thanked her or praised her.

No one noticed a thing.

Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.

There was no effort.

There was no struggle.

It wasn’t good and it wasn’t bad.

It was what it was, and it is just that.

In the space of letting go, she let it all be.

A small smile came over her face.

A light breeze blew through her.

And the sun and the moon shone forevermore…

–Safire Rose

This week, we celebrated Thanksgiving here in the USA—a time to reflect on the things that fill our hearts with gratitude. In the spirit of this special holiday, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite Grateful Moments from the year, centered around the themes of Family and Friends. 

241. Gratitude Moment #2, Jan. 2nd: My Mother

242. Gratitude Moments #21, Jan. 28th : Healthy Baby Niece

243. Gratitude Moments #33, Feb. 9th : Nephews and Nieces

244. Gratitude Moments #151, July 28th : Family

245. Gratitude Moments #195, Sept. 30th : Family and Friends

#241: My Mother

I am always grateful for my mother but this week I am extra grateful. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. She has single handedly been the biggest influence in my life. I love her and appreciate everything she has done and continue to do for me. She brought me some Kenyan tea from her trip back from Kenya. I am very grateful for her.

#242: Healthy Baby Niece!

This weeks I am very grateful that my brother and sister in law had a healthy delivery! I am very grateful for a new niece. I have 5 siblings, including myself, that makes a total of 6. With the birth of the newest member of the family, I now have a total of 9 nephews and nieces. I am very grateful for every single one of them. Welcome to the world adorable niece!

#243: Nephews and Nieces

On Wednesday I went to visit my brother who has a newborn baby girl. My mother and my 2 sisters were there as well. It was great to play with my nephews and nieces. I can never seem to get tired of hearing them laugh hysterically for simple and often silly things. It was adorable to see my 7 month old baby nephew attempt to eat a slice of fruit. 

He was trying his hardest to grab the slice which was too big for his tiny hands and attempted to take a bite with no teeth. It was extremely adorable. I am very grateful for all my nephews and nieces. 

#244: Family

Every summer, my family gathers for a reunion that’s become one of my favorite traditions. It’s a week filled with fun, nostalgia, games, and activities—creating memories that last a lifetime. I don’t remember exactly who started this tradition, but it’s been the perfect way for us to reconnect and catch up. With five siblings, my mom, in-laws, and nine nephews and nieces, our gatherings are anything but small! This year was particularly special. We brought back childhood games from our days in Kenya, shared old songs and stories, and created new memories with the next generation. I’m incredibly grateful for a loving, caring family that keeps this tradition alive.

#245: 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!

Weekly Spotlight

This week’s spotlight shines on an inspiring quote from Reba McEntire, the legendary country music singer and actress:

“My goals have changed throughout my life. At one time, it was winning awards, selling out concert dates, and selling more albums than anyone else. Now, my goals are to see my grandchildren grown, live a long and healthy life with my family and friends, and travel the world.”

– Reba McEntire