Showing gratitude and being mindful are the top priorities in my life recently. I realized the happiness and satisfaction of being grateful for whatever I have. Loving family members, own house, enough money for needs and satisfying career and business - I can't ask more from God. 

 

2023 just flying by and we are entering a new year. Since blogging has taken a backseat, I couldn't write any gratitude lists in 2023. So, here is one for the whole year!

Gratitude List for 2023

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Family

A supportive family is the biggest strength for anyone. Don't you agree? If you can vent out your frustrations without inhibition to other family members, that itself is a great deal. If you can be YOU, that is the ultimate happiness in a family. Iam grateful every day for that.

Dance

Our dance school grew a lot in this year. It is a productive year with many performances and watching students getting better day by day. I am grateful to see determined students who wanted to learn more and try to give their best in performances. I love watching my students practice at home everyday and getting better.

I have never experienced the beauty of being a teacher earlier and I am feeling proud. We have successfully performed on our Annual Recital in September. 

Travel

Why this has to be on top 3? You know me :-) If there is one part of life which keeps me motivated, it's travel. We could visit Utah and some of the wonderful national parks - Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef. The beauty of Utah is gorgeous and there are no words to explain. 

We visited the remote parts of Oklahoma for thanksgiving and enjoyed our boat tour around bald Cypress trees at Caddo lake state park. That travelogue would be up soon on my blog!

The beauty of Bryce Canyon National park

We are planning for a trip to theme parks by the end of the year and kids are very excited. I am excited to cross a few more states in our checklist. 

Work

This year, I learned a lot and experimented with a testing tool called 'Cypress'. Java Script is not as comforting as Java in the beginning, but I am happy to getting used to it this year. I explored a lot technically and improved my skills on creating a test framework for a web application. 

There is still a lot to learn, but overall, a very productive year in my professional life. I am grateful to my mentors and leads. 

Photo by Lukas: https://www.pexels.com/photo/blue-retractable-pen-574070/

New House

It's not in the top of the list, but I am happy to build our nest this year. A ranch style single storied home as per my wishes :-)

 I don't want to use stairs everyday and stress my knees further (doing that already with dance, anyways - no extra burden). I am grateful for our backyard view and the colors of sky that I get to see for every Sunrise and Sunset. 

There is a lot more today at home-front, but as usual it's not on my high priority list. I wanted to buy more indoor and outdoor plants and setup a cozy corner at home with our artwork. I want this cozy corner to be our place to read books or do yoga and meditate. That's for next year.

Parents Visit

I went to India and brought my parent for their first time visit. I am grateful for them as it takes a lot to travel so many hours on flight and the journey is not that comfortable to US. 

I cherish all those moments I got with them this year - Celebrating Diwali, Visiting Big bend and White Sand dunes last year, Celebrating our housewarming this year, kids' birthdays, kids' band recital, temple visits, showing them Christmas lights and Halloween decors blah blah.. Our family made wonderful memories.

Books

I have read a lot of books this year. I have set a goal of completing 20 books which is below my capacity, so I achieved it many months ahead, I think in around August itself. Cool :-)

There are many good books I got to read like these.

Photo by Lisa Fotios: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-person-flipping-book-page-1750566/

I am grateful for the suggestions of fellow book bloggers and readers whom I follow on Instagram. I am also grateful to the local library where I can get so many books for free.

I am thankful to all the authors who send me great free books to write a review and share my opinion.

Podcasts

Podcasts are my new found interest. I enjoyed listening to many podcasts while driving to and fro to office this year. I especially liked huberman labs - A science and neuroscience research podcast.

These are a few other suggestions if you want to try podcasts.

Image by Kirill from Pixabay

So, that's about my gratitude list for 2023. What are you grateful for? Please do let me know in comments.

I wish you a happy holiday season, and best wishes!

Until next time,

5 hacks for Instant Happiness

Now a days, people are searching for happiness. Many are clue less where to find it. But, I believe , Happiness is found within us. 

Being grateful for what we have, enjoying each moment and being present can make us happy. 

What about instant happiness? What to do for Instant Happiness? Are there any things / tasks / ways to get happiness? 

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Here are a few tips which bring me instant happiness:

1. Coffee

I need not drink coffee, just the smell of freshly brewing coffee make me feel better anytime. It can bring my mind away from boring and sad thoughts. It can lift up my mood and give me instant happiness.

Image by Elias Shariff Falla Mardini from Pixabay

2. Flowers

I love shopping for flowers. I enjoy picking up different flowers to put in my vase, like mixing up different colors of flowers, love the process of arranging them on rangolis etc., 

Flowers bring me instant happiness. That might be the reason we gift flower bouquets for important celebrations. 

Photo by Kristina Paukshtite from Pexels

3. Scent

A good scent always gives me instant happiness. I love those scented candles, but I read somewhere that the smoke caused by these candles is as harmful as cigarettes. 

Then, I switched to diffusers and essential oils. But, picking a pure essential oil is important as we get many fake ones in stores. I love lavender , peppermint and jasmine scent. 

Image by Racheal Parkinson from Pixabay

4. Nature walks

Nature is my best friend. A good walk / hike along the forests or mountains or beach or a lake is so refreshing. It immediately changes my mood. 

Image by Anja from Pixabay

I love watching the colors of the leaves, colorful birds, interesting cloud formations, colors of the sky during Sunrise, Sunset, the Sun rays reflecting on water and leaves giving the nature a gorgeous glow, rainbows, the smell of rain, the sound of heavy rain, the snow .... The list is too big. 

Don't you think, the shortcut to happiness is around us in the form of nature?

5. Doing something nice to others

Giving is happiness. Try it once, you will know. When we help someone and if it benefits them, it gives us happiness and satisfaction for sure.

Image by HK Kim from Pixabay

Coincidentally, today is Giving Tuesday. Many companies match the donations given on this day, so that the benefitting organizations get double the donation that we give. Try to donate for your favorite cause or make someone smile today.

What tasks give you instant happiness? Please do share in comments.

Linking this post to Fiction Monday hosted by Vinitha Dileep.

Until next time,

Budget-Friendly Holiday Gift Ideas: Top Rated Gifts for $20 or Less

This post may contain affiliate links, clicking on those links may earn some commission to us without any additional cost to you.

Holiday season is coming. I am excited for holidays,  vacations and restful time. But, this is also a gifting season, right? Are you searching for budget-friendly gifting options? Here are some suggestions.

If you are looking for gifting option for kids, check this gift guide. If you are looking for non conventional gift ideas, check these ideas. A few Black Friday shopping tips here. 

Top Rated Gifts for $20 or Less

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1. Gratitude Journal

These days, we are learning more about being mindful and grateful. A Gratitude journal is a great way to achieve happiness and satisfaction in life. A beautiful journal motivates anyone to think and write one thing that they are grateful for everyday. Don't you agree?

Image by 育银 戚 from Pixabay

Try this journal.

2. Candles

Candles are always a good gift as they can be used as a decor and they can make our home smell great and give us right ambience. I prefer mild scented candles which add a beautiful touch to the home interiors. 

Image by Jeremy Kyejo from Pixabay

Try the below options.

3. Clear Windproof Umbrella

I love this umbrella and the color. A nice gift option to both adults and kids.

4. Indoor plant with cute face pot

Who doesn't love indoor plants? This comes with a cute pot as well. Good for decor.

Image by Milada Vigerova from Pixabay

5. Water bottles

I love thermos water bottles with stainless steel inside. Easy to clean and stays cool / hot for a long time. Good for long drives.

I also like the idea of having a fruit infusing water bottle. A healthier way to drink water and makes water flavorful.

6. Reed Diffuser set

I am using this set regularly for bathrooms. Works great, scent is mild, but gives a pleasant smell. I like that it comes as a set, I use one for each bathroom.

Also love these potpourri bags and bowl as a gifting option.

 

 

7. Perfumes and Personal items

There are many budget friendly options in perfumes. 

Image by NoName_13 from Pixabay

Here are some:

 

 

 8. Makeup items 

There are a lot of options to gift makeup items - Nailpolish sets, Blush, Moisturizer, Facial mist etc.,

9. Accessories

Accessories like ear buds, head phones and keyboard / mouse are good gifting options. What do you say?

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

If you explore more in this area, you might get more ideas.

10. Cookware

Last, but not least. Cookware is the most useful gift for everyday use.  How about every day items like Electric tea kettle, Egg cooker etc? 

Image by Ionel Stanciu from Pixabay

Here are some options that I think are good:

How do you like these options? Do you suggest any other budget friendly gift options? Please do let me know in comments.

Until next time,

5 Simple Diwali Decoration ideas for your home

This post may contain affiliate links, clicking on those links may earn some commission to us without any additional cost to you.

Diwali / Deepavali is my favorite festival. Lights, crackers, Lakshmi Pooja, and sweets make this festival special. I have many treasured memories of Diwali.

Diwali is celebrated as the day Ram returned to Ayodhya with Sita. People celebrate it as festival of lights which symbolizes removal of darkness/ ignorance by knowledge or light. This is also the day when Satyabhama, Krishna's beloved wife defeated demon 'Narakasura'. Usually, everyone will offer pooja to Goddess Lakshmi in the evening of Diwali.

There is a term 'Diwali Cleaning'. Cleaning the house before Diwali is considered important as people believe that Goddess Lakshmi comes to our house on Diwali. That is the reason we decorate our homes, light lamps and place them in every corner of our house also indicating the win of Good / light over evil/ Dark.

This is how we celebrate Diwali / Deepavali. Also, check this post on how to involve kids in festivities. 

Being a working mom and a dance teacher, I don't get to spend a lot of time on shopping for decor, So I prefer a simple Diwali with easy decoration ideas.

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Here are my 5 simple Diwali Decoration ideas:

1. Rangoli

Ingredients:

Chalk

Colors

I choose simple designs, wet the surface a little, draw with chalk and fill it with colors. I also place flowers on the rangoli and place Diyas. It usually takes 20 mins to 1 hr. I create rangolis on the evening of Diwali.

This washable chalk is more than enough and is cheap. 5 shades of colors with glitter is perfect.

Chalk

Colors

Image by Samir Khanal from Pixabay

2. Floating candles

Ingredients:

Urli / Glass bowl

Floating candles

Glass tumblers / candle holders

lighter

water

decorative gel beads

flowers / flower petals

I fill a traditional brass bowl or a glass bowl with water and place the lighted floating candles with some flowers. Sometimes, I also add decorative gel beads in a glass tumbler or a candle holder and place the floating candle above it on water. Looks good as a center piece on the table or any corner of the house. 

Image by F1 Digitals from Pixabay

3. Decorative hangings

Marigold garlands are always a good deal. A set of 5 to 10 garlands would be good to hang. But, recently I am in love with these lotus hangings. 

4. DIY Diwali Decor

Ingredients:

Construction paper - different colors

Plain Clay Diyas

24 pack Acrylic Paint set

Double sided tape

We try different crafts every year for Diwali with kids.

We paint clay diyas with many designs and use them for decoration. 

We used to prepare paper lanterns with construction paper. We also made paper diyas and decorated them on wall. 

Check this video for similar crafts - https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=zLgdz_3G51A

5. String lights and LED lamps

Diwali decor is not complete without the lights. These string lights behind transparent white curtains make house look bright , but simple.

LED diyas are good option in USA as we are scared of lighting many lamps inside the house due to fire danger. Also, due to weather, diyas / candles might not stay long, where LED diyas might come handy.

It's fun to arrange these LED lights on fancy candle holders / glass voltives.

We usually perform Lakshmi pooja in the evening, offer sweets to Goddess, light lamps / diyas, arrange these lights around the house and light sparklers and fire crackers to end the day.

Are there any other simple decor ideas that you suggest? Please do let me know in comments.

Until next time,