Gratitude #30 Fear of Unknown – Lifted

There was an important meeting I had to attend. And the long journey to the city didn’t help.

While contemplating upon the what to do, I chanced upon using Seneca’s Negative Visualization exercise. I imagined what is the worst possible scenario that could happen during the meeting.

1. The person on the other side of the table simply may not have the same purpose in taking this assignment
2. I was imagining what if I was not able to convince the other party to arrive at a mutually beneficial consensus.
3. Despite the conversation, nothing may go forward

While it was scary for me to think through the worst-case scenario, it slowly brought an unusual sense of ‘tranquility’. I told myself, ‘Even it happens, it is okay!’.

But what happened was whole different story. I had a great conversation. The person on the other side was more prepared and in fact planned out how to take things forward. It was great!

I thank god for making this event happen in such a smooth way.

I recommend you to take a minute to thing of those moments, events that might have scared you, but eventually turned out well. Take it as an opportunity to feel grateful for the providence in play. Thank you, God!

Gratitude #29: Peace with the Past

Dr.Wayne Dyer frequently shares about his difference with his father. He writes about he finally took up the courage to forgive him.

It happened me recently. I was given an opportunity to forgive myself and to be forgiven of my mistakes. I felt accepted.

I must say, I did made peace with the past.

Thank you God, for providing me this chance to reconcile myself. Thank you!

Gratitude #28: The Push and the Pull

I just published my 6th blog in a row in 6 days – at my personal website – SathyaWrites.

I never had that consistency.

Sometimes you feel you want to do something so badly! You plan for it. Strategise. And schedule!

But, nothing happens 🙂

But there are some other times, when you don’t plan. Don’t intent. Never even think about it. But you feel like things automatically happen!

I felt that happen today.

Mark Forster talks about this as ‘push’ versus ‘pull’ mode of achieving one’s goal. Most of the time, our instinct tells us to use the ego-centered ‘push’ mode – we even get amazing things get done. No kidding!

But it is so stressful! Even I end up hating the person I have become after that push and prode. The achievement itself takes a back seat.

Have you felt like that ever before?

But this time, it was different. 6 posts in 6 days with perfect consistency. I am feeling like divinity in action.

I thank that all-encompassing providence for such a intervention. And this makes it the 7th post in a row!

Thank You!

 

Gratitude #27 Gardening

What started like this….

Is now like this…

    

The joy I derive out of seeing something nurtured and cared by me cannot be explained by words.

I am grateful for have had the opportunity to see the seeds sprout and bloom.

Thank you God!

Gratitude #26: Purpose – I want to…

It was a powerful moment for me.

I blurted out my personal purpose before a room full of unknown people.

“I want to be happy, peaceful and impactful” I said.

More than the sentence itself, what amazed me was my uncoloured courage to go out and say it aloud, which I never thought possible. It is what I am – me being authentic and happy.

I know I may have to refine my purpose statement. But as of now I am grateful that I got the courage to say it out loudly for myself.

Gratitude #25: How to use Gratitude to Get Rich

One of the most popular post of James Altucher’s writing is ‘How to be the LUCKIEST guy on the planet‘. It is also one of my favorite articles – I even made a 1-page visual note of the article.

There he suggests 4 daily practices for 4 different areas of life: physical, emotional/ social, mental and spiritual.

One of his recommendations for spiritual area is to be grateful for those in our lives. He drive this point home, he wrote an interesting article, ‘How to use Gratitude to Get Rich’.

I have written elsewhere, however I will take this moment to thank my wonderful, loving and supporting family. I thank the divinity for making them part of my life. I am all the more blessed! Thank you!

Gratitude #24: Happiness is…

It is in the small things – joy, happiness. It always has been.

I am indeed grateful for this precious little girl in my life.

Gratitude #19 – 23: Overcoming Negative Thoughts

I was recently browsing through the net on negative thinking and of course on positive thinking. I came across this wonderful article, 10 Tips to Overcome Negative Thoughts at TinyBuddha blog.

Tip #9 states: “List five things that you are grateful for right now.”

I immediately took my pen and notebook to write it down. Here is my list:

The writer states, ‘Being grateful helps appreciate what you already have.’ I couldn’t agree more with her.

• Gratitude #19: While millions of people are out there working in the sun, I am happy to be here working in a comfortable and relaxing environment.
• Gratitude #20: I’m happy to have enough wealth and abundance that I don’t have to worry about the next meal of the day.
• Gratitude #21: I’m grateful for the wonderful family (my wife, my cute little girl, my parents and others) for their support – and who actually put up with my tantrums and still accept me. And still wish me well! (You can’t beat that!)
• Gratitude #22: More than two-thirds of world population can’t read this. Even more, don’t have access to this information that you are currently reading now. I’m simply grateful to the amount of access to such knowledge and wisdom that enrich my life everyday.
• Gratitude #23: It is an opportunity, a blessing indeed, bestowed upon me to have the responsibility to serve the low-income communities from the bottom of the pyramid (BoP) segment. After all, I am the Manager for BoP programs in my company. Gratitude for that 🙂

So now take your pen and paper. What is your five things that you are grateful for right now?

Gratitude #18: SathyaWrites Shines

I have been lately seeing growing popularity for me writing on my other blog, sathyawrites.com.

I share practical tips for productivity, work, writing, personal musings on my own experimentation with minimalism, thinking tools and others.

Thanks to see that my writing is found useful by someone else.

Gratitude #17: My bike.. Really?

For those who have trouble having to start with the practice of ‘gratitude’. here is an easy tip to start.

Start with physical objects.

Do you have a favorite pair of shoes?  Is there a gadget, or piece of equipment, that you’re grateful for?  What objects do you own now that, just a few years ago, were only a dream?

I am grateful for my wonderful bike that transports me safely to and fro!

Thank you, my bike 🙂

Inspired by Sifu Anthony’s tip post on Flowing Zen!