Grateful Moments

This week I am grateful for

61. An Inspiring Student

62. My Health

63. A family Member’s Health

64. 10% Happier

65. Travel

 

#61: Inspiring Student

I currently work as a Regional Program Manager for an organization that trains youth and young adults in filmmaking. This week, I was reminded of a student from Haiti who was to play a principal in a scene recreation. He is an immigrant and an English learner. The script was in English and he was struggling to deliver the lines and do the scene justice. After multiple failed attempts, we suggested that he should do the lines in French, which is his native language.

We were blown away. It was like a switch flipped. He seamlessly delivered his lines with authority and confidence like I have never seen before. I was very inspired by him. It reminded me of the saying, “If you judge a Fish by it’s ability to climb a tree, it will live its all life believing that it is stupid“

#62: My Health

For as long as I can remember, I used to have really bad stomachaches that would even wake me up in the middle of the night. It was excruciating and persistent. It was worse when I was going through a stressful time in my life. This was before I started mindfulness meditation so I did not have any tools to help with my anxiety and stress. What used to work was medicine that my doctor prescribed for the pain but I do not like depending on medication plus it had a terrible taste.

One day, my doctor decided to test me for H.Pylori which he told me could explained some of my symptoms. H.Pylori is a bacterial infection that affects your stomach I leaned after I tested positive. I learned that it usually happens in childhood and the cause can be contaminated water. So not having access to clean water or coming from developing countries can be a risk factor.

I got on an anti-bacterial medication for the first time in my life and two weeks later, all my symptoms had ended. No more waking up in the middle of the night from pain. No more avoiding high acid meals like pasta with red sauce. No more stomach pain when hungry. I could eat fruits with citrus again like oranges and mandarin. I am very grateful for health this week.

#63: A Family Member’s Health

This week I am continuing to be very grateful for a family member’s health. I still can’t share anything publicly but they are recovering well and I am grateful for them and their health.

#64: 10% Happier

Last week I reported that I was grateful for the podcast 10% happier by Dan Harris and that I was looking forward to reading his book by the same name. I am about a third through the book and let me tell you, it is incredible. Thanks Dan for sharing you story with the world. It is very inspiring.

#65: Travel

I traveled to New Jersey this week to visit my partner’s family. I enjoyed the brisk boardwalk, the beautiful skyline, the peaceful ocean, the delicious food, and the great company.

What are you grateful for this week? Feel free to leave me a comment.

See you next week…

This week I am grateful for…

56. 10 Percent Happier

57. Kind Stranger at Airpot

58. A Family Member’s Health

59. Savoring Tea

60. Kind Store Manager

 

#56: 10 Percent Happier

This week I stumbled upon a podcast by Dan Harris called 10 Percent happier. I was little familiar with Dan Harris and his work on mindfulness before this week, but this was the first time I actually listened to him at length. The more I research him, the more inspired I am becoming. I am very excited to read his NY times bestselling book, 10 Percent Happier.

#57: Kind Stranger at the Airport

I flew to NYC on Thursday this week for work. I was working on my laptop at the gate while waiting for the plane to start boarding. The flight got delayed for an hour and a half which put everyone on edge. My laptop was about to die but none of the outlets were working. All the seats were taken around me and I kept struggling to find an outlet that worked. A kind stranger got up and asked if I wanted to use a working outlet that he was sitting next to. I appreciate you, kind stranger!

#58: A family Members Health

I still can’t share too much publicly but this week I am grateful for a family member’s health. I am very grateful you are beginning to feel better

#59: Savoring Tea

I do not always get a chance to slow down and actually savor my morning cup of tea, but this week I was able to for at least 2 occasions. The science on savoring is pretty clear, slowing down and savoring positive experiences is a powerful source of sustainable happiness and wellbeing.

This week I am grateful for an opportunity to savor my tea. I usually close my eyes and really pay attention to the flavor, temperature, smell etc. of the cup of tea. I also pay attention to any sensations that come up. In this state, I sometimes have flashes of some of the happiest moments of my life. This week it included my travel to Portland, Oregon and Cotopaxi, Ecuador! I am grateful for those moments

#60: Kind Store Manager

This week I went to a True Value Store that had just closed 5 minutes prior. I needed to make copies of a key one for me and the other one for my sister. The lights inside the store were off and I was on a tight timeline so I couldn’t go to any other stores at that time. I knocked at the door hoping they would take me but there was no answer. Just when I had given up and started walking away from the store, I heard the door open behind me. It was the store manager who was very happy to assist. Thank you so much! You saved me a lot of time and stress.

This week I am grateful for…

51. Local Diner

52. Best Friend

53. The 100 TV Series

54. MBSR

55. Delicious Strawberries

 

#51: Local Diner

There’s something magical about stumbling upon a hidden gem in your own neighborhood, isn’t there? This week, my best friend and I found ourselves basking in the warmth of a local diner, and let me tell you, it was a delightful experience.

From the moment we stepped in, the aroma of homemade soup welcomed us, instantly setting the tone for a great evening. What struck me the most was the genuine friendliness by everyone there. It felt like stepping into a welcoming summer oasis, a place where worries melt away and good vibes flourish. And the food? Oh, it was a symphony of flavors, all at a reasonable price. With each bite, it felt like a tastebud adventure, and I found myself already planning my next visit.

#52: Best Friend

But of course, what’s a memorable experience without your best friend by your side? Their presence added an extra layer of joy to the evening, turning it into an unforgettable memory. It’s moments like these that remind me of the importance of cherished friendships and the simple joys they bring. Thank you for a wonderful time!

#53: MBSR

On Mondays I attend the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) sessions offered by the University of Massachusetts Medical School. These sessions have become a lifeline, offering a sanctuary where I can unwind and center myself. The transformative power of mindfulness cannot be overstated, and I’m immensely thankful for the peace it brings to my life.

#54: The 100 TV Series

I recently started watching the show “The 100” on Netflix. While the acting may not be Oscar-worthy and the plot a little predictable at times, there’s an undeniable allure to the storyline. It’s one of those guilty pleasures that keeps you hooked despite its flaws, and for that, I’m grateful.

#55: Delicious Strawberries

Did you know that strawberries are not widely grown in Kenya? In fact? I did not eat my first strawberry till I moved to the United States. Strawberries can be a hit or miss for me. But this week I ate some really delicious strawberries from Trader Joe’s. I am very grateful for delicious strawberries.

What are you grateful for this week? Feel free to leave me a comment.

See you next week…

 

This week I am grateful for…

46. Sushi

47. Leap Year

48. 60 Degree Weather

49. A Family Member’s Health

50. Student Loan Forgiveness

 

#46: Sushi

Earlier this week, I was at a Japanese restaurant with some very reasonably priced but delicious sushi. My partner’s family have been going to that restaurant for a long time and I am very happy they introduced me to it. I love the sushi from this place so much that I have notes on my phone with all the options of sushi they have with a score indicating how much I love that specific kind. Tied for number one is Shrimp Tempura and Eel with Avocado sushi!! I can never seem to eat enough sushi. I am very grateful for sushi this week.

#47: A Family Member’s Health

I cannot share too much publicly about this but my whole family had a scare this week concerning a family member’s health. Sounds like all will be well so I am very grateful for that family members health this week. Matter of fact, I am grateful for all members of my family’s health.

#48: Leap Year

This year 2024 is a leap year. I have always found it fascinating that we get a whole full day a year every 4 years. We only get to see 25 of those years if we are fortunate enough to live to be 100. I have already seen 7 of those and I hope I get to see at least 18 more. I am grateful for the leap year this week.

#49: Student Loan Forgiveness

Given that I work for a not-for-profit organization, I qualify for student loan forgiveness. I believe education should be free for everyone but until then, I am very grateful for the student forgiveness program. I still have a very very long way to go but I am grateful that I am on the path to student loan forgiveness.

#50: 60 Degree Weather

On Wednesday this week, it was very warm for February. It was 60 degrees Fahrenheit at 2pm in the afternoon. I am grateful I got a chance to go for a walk outside in that beautiful weather. Spring is around the corner. I can feel it.

What are you grateful for this week? Feel free to leave me a comment.

See you next week…

This week I am grateful for

41. View of Boston

42. Dusk in Boston

43. Good Conversation

44. AfternoonWalk

45. Hot Shower

 

#41: View of Boston

I was in Boston this week to celebrate my partner’s birthday. We stopped at the Prudential Center which is the second tallest building in Boston. I had bought a ticket to “View Boston” which entails taking an elevator to the top of the building (52nd floor) and getting a view of the city. The view was breathtaking. It was great to see the city from that vantage point. I could see the Boston common, Charles River, Logan International airport etc. I am very grateful for that moment.

#42: Dusk

While in Boston, there was this moment during Dusk which was very pleasant. The sun had just set, I could hear people having casual conversation in the background, the city lights were just starting to turn on, and people were picking up their pace to get to their destinations. I even saw a brownish white hawk which was very surprising to see in the city and so late in the day. I am very grateful for that moment and that time of day in general. I love that time of day.

#43: Afternoon Walk

I am very grateful for the afternoon walk that I went on Sunday! It was sunny but a bit cold. I was dressed very warm so the cold did not bother me very much. It was nice to see families walking with their dogs at the park. I saw a female, hairy woodpecker.

I am grateful for that afternoon walk.

#44: Good Conversation

While doing laundry at the laundry mat, I started a casual conversation with a teenager from Venezuela. I learned that he migrated to the USA with his family when he was 8 years old. I shared that I also migrated to Massachusetts with my family but I was 15 years old. I also shared that I had traveled to a neighboring county of Ecuador last summer. I was sharing how much fun I had and he said to me “Yea it’s a different vibe.” He said that he felt that people in the USA spend all their time working their jobs and not enough time hanging out. I resonated with that very much. It is very easy to be consumed with work in the USA. Anyway, I am grateful for that casual but insightful conversation.

#45: Hot Shower

One more thing that I also take for grated is hot shower. This week I am grateful for hot showers. It’s great that I can take a warm shower with a flip of a switch. Growing up, if I wanted a warm shower, I needed to boil water in a pot then mix it with cool water in a plastic basin or a bucket. I did not have access to a shower growing up so we used a bucket or plastic basin for showers. So this week I am grateful for access to hot showers.

This week, I am grateful for…

36. One Love

37. Tiramisu

38. Twilight

39. Restful Sleep

40. Quick Walk

 

#36: One Love

I am very grateful for the movie and the song One Love by Bob Marley this week. I had a chance to watch the movie One Love this week. It told the story of the late Bob Marley. What an influential figure in recent history. The music and his story was very inspiring. Additionally, I feel a great sense of nostalgia when listening to the song One Love. I am grateful for Bob Marley to have blessed us with his powerful music.

#37: Tiramisu

I am very grateful for a delicious piece of tiramisu that I had this week. Even the way it was presented was extremely appetizing.

#38: Twilight

This week I am grateful for the movie Twilight. The first time I watched the movie I was a freshman in high school. I caught the last 40 minutes of the movie. We did not have DVR at my house yet so I did not get a chance to watch the full movie for another couple of months. I finally had a chance to watch it and I loved every second of it. I became I super fan throughout high school. About 2 years ago, I traveled to Portland Organ where the first movie was filmed. It was great to see the nature and sites that I saw in the movie. I rewatched the first twilight movie this week and I am grateful for all the memories.

#39: Restful Sleep

This week has been a busy week. I worked 7 days a week and stayed up late working on launching a new site for work. The last couple of days I have finally had a chance to catch up on some rest.

I am very grateful for a restful night of sleep. I slept like a baby last night!

#40: Quick Walk

During my lunch break this week, I got a chance to go out for a walk around the neighborhood. The sun was out and shining on my skin. I love when I get a chance to go for walks during the day. I am grateful that short walk, it is exactly what I needed in that moment.

What are you grateful for this week? Feel free to leave me a comment.

See you next week…

This week, I am grateful for…

31. Basketball and Friends

32. Twilight

33. Nephews and Nieces

34. Stars in the Night Sky

35. Sunlight

 

#31: Basketball with Friends

Last Sunday, I met up with a friend for lunch. It was great to catch up with him. He and I are mentors/volunteers at a local community college. One of the perks of being a volunteer is that you get access to the college’s gym on Sunday evenings. About two hours after hanging out with my friend, we stopped at the basketball court to run a few games with other volunteers. I love playing basketball with Friends. I get in a state of flow and lose track of time. I am very grateful for Basketball and Friends this week.

#32: Twilight

I am very grateful for the golden hour during my evening commute. The sun was setting behind the horizon and the dull yellow glow on tall trees contrasted very well with the bright white snow. I am very grateful for that moment of serenity and natural beauty. Here is one picture I took…

#33: 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.

#34: Stars in the Night Sky

One more thing I miss about the small town in Western Kenya that I was born in is, the beautiful night sky. There is significantly less light pollution in the town and by 7pm, it is typically pitch black. Growing up, I did not truly appreciate that beauty because I did not have anything to compare it to. It wasn’t until I moved to Worcester, MA and now Greater Boston Area that I noticed the great difference. I can barely see any stars at night most nights in Boston Massachusetts. But on Wednesday this week while visiting my brother who lives in a more rural setting, I saw beautiful stars at night. I am very grateful for that moment.

#35: Sunlight

On my lunch break this week, I got a chance to go out for a walk. All last week we had grey dark clouds and we did not see the sun at all. But this week we mostly saw blue skies without a cloud in sight. I enjoyed going on those walks and the sun felt great on my skin. I closed my eyes and fully soaked up that warm glow of sunlight . I even heard some birds singing which is unusual for the winter month of February. I am very grateful for that moment of warm sunlight on my skin.

What are you grateful for this week? Feel free to leave me a comment.

See you next week…

26. Rain and Snow

27. Diving Hawk

28. Kenyan Tea

29. Brunch

30. Finding Parking Just in Time

 

#26: Rain and Snow

Last Sunday morning, I got a glimpse of a mix of rain and snow while I was working out at the gym. It was a beautiful sight that I don’t get to see so often. I could not look away for a few minutes. It was raining on my way to the gym but that turned in to a mix of rain and snow. I am grateful for that moment.

#27: Diving Hawk

This week I am grateful for another beautiful sight that actually happened today. The sun came out today after about a week of dark grey clouds. I typically enjoy all weather patterns from rainy and snowy days to sunny days. But this week I actually missed the sun. I have been prescribed vitamin D in the past during winter time because I become deficient of it with less time in the sun and my skin tone. But the sun finally came out today. While on a walk, I saw a big white and brown hawk diving straight down with immense focus and agility.

I was captivated for a few seconds before it disappeared behind tall maple trees. The sun reflected really well on it’s brownish white feathers. The scene lasted a few seconds but it was breathtaking. I am grateful to having witness that moment today.

#28: Kenyan Tea

I am not sure if I have already wrote this is the past but I am very grateful for Kenyan tea this week. Tea is a big part of Kenyan culture. People are usually surprised when I share that I started drinking tea (with caffein) as young 3 years old. Most of my Kenyan friends and family members had the same upbringing. I LOVE Kenyan tea. I drink Kenyan tea every morning. When I am able to, I love to slow down and savor every sip. This brings me a lot of joy. There is a lot of scientific research that suggest savoring can be a big source of pleasure and increased happiness and wellbeing. So this week I am very grateful of Kenyan tea and the moment to savor it

#29: Brunch

Last Sunday I went to brunch with my girlfriend at a diner that is 4 minute ride from our apartment. Naturally, I brought my Kenyan tea with me. I ordered a western omelet which came with home fries and toast. My mouth is getting watery again thinking about it. It was so good!! Thank you so much local diner. You will be seeing me again soon.

Here it is…

#30: Finding Parking Just in Time

This week I had planned to visit my old place of employment. I was running behind on time and I wanted to bring donuts for my former coworkers. I was driving around for a while around the donut shop without any luck. Just before I gave up hope, a spot right in-front of the building became available. That allowed me enough time to get the donuts and make it there on time but I was cutting it close. It was wonderful to see my former coworkers. Thank you all for a very warm welcome back and for the pizza. You know me so well.

 

What are you grateful for this week? If you feel brave, leave it on the comment section. Feel free to also contact me directly.

See you next week…

21. Healthy Baby Niece!

22. New Connection

23. Coworkers

24. Scrambled Omlet?

25. Familiar Bird Song

 

#21: 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!

#22: New Connections

I am grateful for making a new connection this week. I was visiting a site for work and a started having a great conversation with the person at the front desk. He was very kind and helpful. On my way out, I continued the conversation with him. I learned that he is Somali but had lived in Kenya for a while. He told me that he moved to USA in 2010 and that he started losing his Swahili. He asked me to remind him a few words and I was impressed by how much he remembered. Thank you for the lovely conversation.

#23: Coworkers

I am very grateful for my coworkers! I believe strongly that the people you work with can make or break your experience at any career. This week I am particularly grateful that I have a very supportive team.

#24: Scrambled Omlet?

This morning I attempted to make an omelet. What I ended up with was scrambled and did not resemble a tradition omelet. Nonetheless it was delicious and exactly what I needed this morning. I am grateful for that scrambled Omlet.

#25: Familiar Bird Song

This morning I heard a song bird that I usually only hear in the spring and summer time. It is still January and hearing that bird made me feel like spring is around the corner. I am very grateful for that song bird. The moment was short but it brought warm feeling in my heart and a smile in my face.

16. Health

17. Havard Museum

18. Hot Chocolate on a Cold Day

19. Family

20. Workout

 

#16: Health

I am very grateful for health. A very close family friend just came back from a visit to Kenya a couple of days ago. He said he had a little fever when he boarded the plane but when he got home, he was feeling significant worse. He ended up losing his consciousness for over 24 hours. He woke up in the hospital with a doctor asking him if he knew where he is. He found out that he has Malaria. He has not had Malaria for over 20 years. Growing up, I used to get malaria a lot. It was perhaps the most common illness especially during rainy seasons. I am very grateful for health this week.

#17: Harvard Museum

This week I am grateful for Harvard Museum of Natural History. Saturday, my girlfriend and I went back to the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Reason I say we went back is because we had been there once before. But the first time we went, we only had about an hour to explore. We could not get through all the exhibits. This time, we had the whole afternoon. We found parking really close to the entrance and received a 50% discount from our library to enter. It was a great time. We viewed the glass flower gallery, the mineral gallery, and paleontology gallery to name a few. Here is one pic of the mineral “Crocoite” from Australia that we saw…

#18: Hot Chocolate on a Cold Day

I am very grateful for Hot Chocolate on a cold day. We left the museum at around 4pm. It was 19 degrees, snowing, and starting to get dark. We stopped at a coffee shop and I ordered some hot chocolate. That is exactly what I needed at that moment. I love hot chocolate especially when it is cold/ snowing outside.

#19: Family

I am very grateful for family. I will keep reminding myself how lucky I am to have such a loving and supportive family. I am always grateful for them.

#20: Workout

I am very grateful for being able to workout again. Last week, I woke having terrible pain in my neck. I cold not move my head at all. I am very grateful that I am feeling better and that I am able to move my body and to work out again.

What are you grateful for this week? If you feel brave, leave it on the comment section. Feel free to also contact me directly.

See you next week…