Month: January 2025

This week I am grateful for…

14. Warm clothes Fresh Out of the Dryer

15. The Satisfaction of Deep Cleaning

16. A New Gym and Energizing Workouts

17. The Resilience of Winter Birds

18. An Upcoming Trip 

19. The Joy of Audible

20. Advancements  in Medicine 

#14: Warm Clothes Fresh Out of the Dryer

This week has been bitterly cold, with temperatures in single digits and wind chills making it feel even harsher. Each morning, I’ve faced the daunting task defrosting nearly an inch of ice off my car windshield. Amidst this frozen challenge, one thing felt truly magical: the warmth of clean clothes fresh out of the dryer. Wrapping myself in their heat felt like a comforting hug from a loved one—a gentle reminder that even the coldest winter days are survivable with small, simple joys.

#15: The Satisfaction of Deep Cleaning

Few things feel as rewarding as deep-cleaning a space. This week, I tackled my office area, transforming it into a clean, organized, and inspiring environment. That sense of accomplishment, paired with the fresh start it offers, is deeply satisfying. Now, working in my office feels better than ever.

#16: A New Gym and Energizing Workouts

After weeks of searching for the perfect fit, I finally found a gym that offers the kind of functional workouts I love. While my local YMCA didn’t have the classes I was looking for, this new space has a community vibe and challenges that leave me sweaty, sore, and fulfilled. There’s nothing quite like the rush of endorphins after a tough workout—especially when shared with others who inspire and push you to be your best.

#17: The Resilience of Winter Birds

Have you ever wondered how birds survive the unforgiving cold? This week, I was captivated by the sight of 3 black-capped chickadee pecking through the snow in search of food. Despite the freezing temperatures, these tiny creatures endure, embodying resilience and adaptability. Watching them fills me with awe and reminds me of nature’s wonders.

#18: An Upcoming Trip

You know that childlike excitement that bubbles up when you’re planning a vacation? That’s exactly how I feel right now! This March, during spring break, my girlfriend and I are heading to a warm destination. While the details are still coming together, just dreaming about the sunshine and adventure lifts my spirits. Stay tuned for more updates!

#19: The Joy of Audible

While I’ve always loved getting lost in a good book, finding time to sit down and read can feel impossible with a packed schedule. Enter Audible, my trusty companion for errands and commutes. Listening to audiobooks turns mundane tasks into enjoyable escapes. This week, I’ve even looked forward to running errands, knowing I’d get to dive back into my latest listen. It’s a game-changer for making the most of busy days.

#20: Advancements in Medicine

This week, I’ve been reading Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari. Side. note Sapiens, his first book profoundly shaped my perspective on humanity and the stories we hold dear, like nations, religions, and even money. In Nexus, Harari reflects on the staggering advances in medicine, comparing today’s world to a time when nearly half of all children didn’t survive past age ten. While heartbreaking to read about, it’s also a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come. I’m deeply grateful for the progress that’s made such a difference in countless lives.

Weekly Spotlight

This week’s spotlight is NPR’s Hidden Brain podcast titled “Being Kind to Yourself.” It offers a powerful reminder to practice self-compassion and treat ourselves with the same kindness we extend to others. Truly a thought-provoking listen!

Being Kind to Yourself

 

 

Last week, I was traveling and ended up getting sick, so I missed my usual weekly post. To make up for it, this week I’ll share eight gratitude moments, and next week I’ll post seven, averaging five extra reasons to be grateful. Here are this week’s moments of gratitude:

6. Health

7. Time with Family 

8. Severance 

9. Gift of a Home-Cooked Meal

10. Long Weekend 

11. Key Finder 

12. Health at MBSR

13. Sleepcasts 

#6: Health

Last weekend, my girlfriend and I traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, to visit family. Unfortunately, I got sick on the way back. Thankfully, I’m starting to feel better, which has made me deeply grateful for my health. There’s a saying I love: “When you are healthy, you have a thousand problems, but when you are unhealthy, you really have just one problem.” It’s a powerful reminder of how vital health is to everything else in life.

#7: Time with Family

Our trip to Iowa gave me the chance to spend quality time with family. With everyone living so far apart, I’ve learned to treasure these moments more than ever. I feel so fortunate to have such a loving, kind, and supportive family. They’re truly a blessing in my life.

#8: Severance 

If you’re into sci-fi and psychological thrillers, you must check out Severance on Apple TV. (Pro tip: If you’re a student or have T-Mobile, you might qualify for free Apple TV!) This show is phenomenal. While it starts a bit slow and confusing, it quickly picks up and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I’m beyond excited for Season 2, which is currently airing.

#9: Gift of a Home-Cooked Meal

Returning to Massachusetts late Sunday night after our trip, we realized we didn’t have any meals prepared for dinner or the workweek.My partner’s parent came to the rescue, meeting us along the way with a delicious homemade pasta and meatball dinner. Her kindness and generosity mean the world to me.

#10: Long Weekend

There’s nothing like a long weekend to recharge, especially when you need it most. Thanks to MLK Day tomorrow, I’ll enjoy a day off and a shorter work week. This extra rest couldn’t have come at a better time as I continue to recover from being under the weather.

#11: Key Finder

My partner recently bought a set of key-finder GPS tiles and offered me one. At first, I thought it was unnecessary since I rarely lose my keys. But last week, I couldn’t find them anywhere, and I was running late. I had completely forgotten about the tile until my partner reminded me. Using the app, I quickly located my keys and even made the tile ring to pinpoint them. Thanks to this handy gadget, I made it out the door on time. Lesson learned: Never underestimate the power of tiny tech.

#12: Health at MBSR 

During my weekly Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) session, the topic of pain came up. It was disheartening to hear how many people in the group resonated with this topic and had the courage to share their histories with chronic pain. I’m grateful for the sense of community and support in these sessions and well as my own health.

#13: Sleepcasts

I subscribe to Headspace, a meditation app, and one of my favorite features is their sleepcasts. These soothing bedtime stories describe relaxing settings like a cozy bed-and-breakfast or a serene park. Listening to them helps me unwind and sets the stage for restful sleep. This week, I’ve been especially grateful for this calming nightly ritual.

Weekly Spotlight 

This week’s spotlight is the poem “Always We Hope” By Lao Tzu

Always we hope
someone else has the answer,
some other place will be better,
some other time,
it will turn out.

This is it.

No one else has the answer,
no other place will be better,
and it has already turned out.

At the centre of your being,
you have the answer:
you know who you are and
you know what you want.

There is no need to run outside
for better seeing,
nor to peer from a window.
Rather abide at the centre of your being:
for the more you leave it,
the less you learn.

Search your heart and see
the way to do is to be.

Abide at the centre of your being.

What brought you joy this week?

This Week, I Am Grateful For…

1. New Year 
2. Kind Stranger at Dunkin’s
3. Fresh Haircut 
4. Funny Moments 
5. Dessert 

#1: New Year

  I love New Year’s! It’s a time for fresh beginnings and endless possibilities. As 2025 begins, I’m excited to embrace more adventure and step outside my comfort zone. I want it to be a year full of courage and bravery. More on this late! This year, I plan to prioritize my mental and physical health, cherish quality moments with family and friends, and let go of unnecessary stress over small things. Here’s to a year of growth and joy!

#2: Kind Stranger at Dunkin’s

A couple of weeks ago, I was picking up a large order of coffee and donuts for a work event. The order was too much for me to carry in one trip, so I was figuring out what to leave behind. A kind woman saw my predicament and offered to help carry the rest of my order to my car. Thank you so much, kind stranger.

#3: Fresh Haircut

There’s nothing quite like a fresh haircut. This week, my barber gave me an incredible fade—truly a work of art. I don’t say it enough, but thank you for your unmatched skills. You manage to boost my confidence by at least 30-45% every month. You’re the real MVP!

#4: Funny Moments

  Gyms are full with energy these days, thanks to New Year’s resolutions and a renewed sense of purpose. This week at the Y, we ended a workout with a cooldown that involved balancing on a bouncy ball while mimicking a paddling motion with our feet. Let’s just say it wasn’t my finest moment—I was wobbling and flailing like a beginner tightrope walker. But when I glanced over at my partner, she was effortlessly paddling like a pro. I was like “Look at her go! She is adorable!” I couldn’t stop laughing; it was the perfect reminder not to take myself too seriously. Who knows, we might have discovered her hidden talent for bouncy ball paddling!

#5: Dessert

Dessert wasn’t a common feature in my childhood. I vividly remember my first taste of cake in 7th or 8th grade at boarding school in Kenya. A friend had brought back a piece of Black Forest cake from a fancy restaurant, and kindly let me try it. The experience was nothing short of euphoric—an intense dopamine rush that made me feel alive and alert. Though I don’t have much love cake now, I’m grateful for the wide variety of desserts available to me.  

 Weekly Spotlight 

This week’s spotlight is an inspiring Poem by Danusha Lameris

I’ve been thinking about the way, when you walk
down a crowded aisle, people pull in their legs
to let you by. Or how strangers still say “bless you”
when someone sneezes, a leftover
from the Bubonic plague. “Don’t die,” we are saying.

And sometimes, when you spill lemons
from your grocery bag, someone else will help you
pick them up. Mostly, we don’t want to harm each other.

We want to be handed our cup of coffee hot,
and to say thank you to the person handing it. To smile
at them and for them to smile back. For the waitress
to call us honey when she sets down the bowl of clam chowder,
and for the driver in the red pick-up truck to let us pass.

We have so little of each other, now. So far
from tribe and fire. Only these brief moments of exchange.
What if they are the true dwelling of the holy, these
fleeting temples we make together when we say, “Here,
have my seat,” “Go ahead — you first,” “I like your hat.”

–Danusha Lameris

 

What are you looking forward to this year?