Things that make me smile #FridayReflections

 I took this prompt from the list shared by Shalini here.

What makes you smile? I love to talk about this topic. 

I smile when ...

• I see The Sun rising in the morning with colors changing in the Sky while having coffee

• My kiddo wants to hug me without any reason

• I visit some new place 

• I am satisfied that the code I wrote meets my standards or even when my blog post looks good when I read it.

• I spend time with my family watching some movies together.

• I tease my son to take a lot of photos of me in all poses and he obliges.

• I see my son performing for the band or showcasing his new skill.

• I see that I got a comment for my blog post 😀

• My students perform well on stage

• I could write a meaningful blog post 

• I could practice dance well and perform better on stage

• I feel relaxed after yoga session

• I feel the breeze on my face after hiking

• I sit back to enjoy the nature

The list is really big. So, let's leave it here.

What makes you smile? Do let me know in the comments. 

Have a nice day!

Until next time,

Linking this to #FridayReflections.

The Things I am Grateful For #WriteApageADay

 Prompt: The Things I am Grateful For

Love and Family come first when I think of gratefulness. But, this post is about the things that I am grateful for and not people/feelings.

Phone:

I am grateful for the advanced phones that we are able to enjoy these days. Mine is a Samsung Galaxy and my husband's an iPhone. So, you can understand we usually have an iPhone Vs Samsung war :-)

Coming to the benefits, I read a lot of books on my Kindle App on my phone. That's easily accessible any time when I want to read. 

When I get bored, I scroll through Instagram and Facebook. I use Instagram a lot for my travel research - saving the list of places that I want to go, noting unique accommodations, find out the best trails and Instagram-worthy spots. 

I use the Evernote app for all my to-do lists and notes. Be it the blogging post ideas or travel notes, I have it all organized in Evernote which I can access from my laptop as well. 

Nature:

Is it a thing? or Mother Nature? 

I am grateful for this Earth, its beauty, and the peace nature provides. Just watching the colors of the sky, and enjoying the mesmerizing Sunrises and Sunsets calms my mind. Nature has been such a stress-relieving power. 

Food:

I am not a foodie. But, I believe What we eat matters a lot. I cannot handle hunger well, I get cranky and angry. Good food ensures a good mood. 

Fortunately, I need not watch weight much due to my genes, but eating healthy is important to me. I am grateful that I can afford good and healthy food. Food is a basic necessity and we should always be grateful for it.

Money:

Life is so tough without money. I am grateful and content with whatever I have. 

Work / Brain activity :

I am grateful that I have something to keep me busy. An idle brain is dangerous. I like learning new technologies, spending time on hobbies, and having time to do activities to stimulate my brain.

Life will be boring without this, right?

Basic Necessities:

I read in childhood about the basic necessities in our life - Food, cloth, and shelter. 

I am grateful for these 3 things, without which we cannot be happy.

What are a few things you are grateful for? Let me know in the comments.

Until next time,

Word count: 398

My Top 10 things to be grateful for in 2022

 I have stopped posting my gratitude lists being busy with much important stuff in life but I would love to try one last post in 2022 to show my gratitude. 

10 things I am grateful for in 2022:

1. Move to Texas:

Technically, we moved to Texas at the end of 2021, but we started the new year in a new place. I am grateful for the better weather, better health, and great environment. 

Initially, I was hesitant if I would like the place after coming from a scenic place. Thankfully, Austin is better than other cities in Texas. 

The rolling hills, lakes, and beautiful hikes are solace for the mind. 

Sunset Deck in Balcones Canyonlands National wildlife refuge, hike to Mt Bonnel and the scenic viewpoint, Oasis Restaurant on Lake Travis, Zilker Park, Blue hole regional park in Georgetown, and holiday lights at peppermint parkway are impressive so far. Grateful for the beauty of nature and I wish for more scenic hikes in the new year.

2. Dance School and Recital:

It was painful to leave the old students from Colorado and start my dance school from scratch in Austin. But, by God's grace, this has become easy and less stressful.

Within 6 months, my dance school grew and we even did our Annual Recital! 

By the way, here is the link to our Youtube channel to watch the recital.

https://youtube.com/@Kaladeepika

I am grateful for the Parents and students who trusted me even though I am new to Austin. I am happy about the recital as students could showcase whatever they learned. 

Now, it's holiday time of course. Time to relax, enjoy and replenish for the new year.

3. India Trip:

I am grateful that the India trip was not as stressful as I expected. The trip was short but we could visit all near and dear. I am happy to bring my parents along with me to the US.

Feeling blessed that all things went smoothly during the visit, especially with the extra rules after covid. 

4. Parents' visit to the US:

I feel fortunate to have brought my parents along with me. They are our moral support and a large help for 3 months. It feels like the time is running quickly and within a few months, they will return back.

These are some moments I and my family will cherish forever in the future. We could celebrate Diwali with them, and kids could learn Ramayanam, Mahabharatham, and some Telugu from them. I am grateful that I am being pampered especially by my mom. :-)

5. Learning Cypress and Javascript:

It's always the happiest feeling for me to learn a new language and implement something useful. I am grateful for my job which helped me to learn Javascript and cypress. 

Image by Dhruvil Patel from Pixabay 

I am doing a lot of experimentation and learning this year. This year has been the best year for my technical advancement. I also learned Kotlin and Appium at the beginning of the year. A few more feathers to add to my resume :-)

6. New Home:

I am grateful for the new home we bought. It's a single story as I always wished for. 

Since the house is at a bit of elevation, I enjoy the Sunrise and sunset and the views from the home every day. The Sunrise views from Patio are wonderful. The morning sunlight brings positive vibrations for the whole day.

The move is definitely stressful, but I am glad my parents are here to help. We could complete the moving at last though we were exhausted. Now, is the time to relax a bit and settle in.

7. Health:

So far, my health is great. I have to see how it goes in the future. I could join yoga on and off, but I want to focus more on yoga next year.

The weather definitely helped. With my mom's help, I could rest more, read more books and focus on my dance school.

8. Books:

I am grateful for the amazing books that I got to read this year. After coming to Austin, the first thing I searched for is the library. The library is not as great as Colorado but met my criteria.

Kids also loved the library and we read a lot of books this year including the ones from the little lending library near our home. 

I was certainly busy and couldn't publish many reviews this year, but here are some of the best books that I read in 2022:

• The Guest List by Lucy Foley
• The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkannen
• The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
• Burying Eva Flores by Jennifer Alsever
• Inner trek by Mohan Ranga Rao
• Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

9. Kids and School:

It is a frustrating move for our kids as they had to change schools multiple times this year. I am grateful that they could move on to a new place, and new school even though they miss their friends due to moving. 

The next year continues to be tough for them to adjust to a new school. I am grateful for understanding kids. 

10. A Long drive and a road trip:

We could go to Port Aransas this year and it's a wonderful beach vacation. Unlike our other trips, we stayed in a comfy Airbnb for all 3 days which is a walkable distance from the beach. Here is the link to Travelogue: https://www.fantasticfeathers.in/2022/09/a-perfect-weekend-getaway-from-austin.html

I am looking forward to our future trip at the end of the year. I am so excited about a long drive. Our travelogue will be up in the new year. Until then, I will be busy planning our trip. I am grateful for this holiday season and family time. 

So those are my top 10 things to be grateful for in 2022. What are you grateful for this year?

I wish you all a happy holiday season!

Until next time,

Gratitude List for May 2020 #GratitudeCircle

May continued to be 'New' Normal. Work from home, loads of office work, struggling with helping kids in e-learning, no option to travel and relax due to Covid etc., But, we are learning a few things due to Covid as family, and focusing on a few important things of our life. So, All is not bad.

There are many things to be grateful for :

•  Kids had their summer holidays started and thus, rest for us as we need not support their e-learning 
• Could improve my health and focus on home-cooked healthy meals
• Could reduce office stress by implementing a few methods
• Could, at last, make online dance classes work well 
• Could sleep for more time and relax a bit

Here is my Gratitude List for May 2020:

1. Improvement in health

I did a lot of changes in my lifestyle and diet to focus on my health. The good news is that I could see some improvement. I am sleeping more nowadays, reduced morning office calls, increased the intake of grains, vegetables, and fruits in my diet, and took things slow.

I haven't put any targets to complete any tasks for my blog/dance school/office work. I just went with the flow and did whatever I can without working hard.

I am usually more ambitious and tend to jump into multiple tasks at a time. I am trying to change this which will reduce my stress. So far, it's great.

2. One outing after a long break

Due to COVID, we couldn't travel at all for a few months. But, in the last month, we went hiking in our town itself. Colorado Springs is a nice place as we have many beautiful options to hike around our area.

We practiced social distancing, wore masks, carried sanitizer, didn't use public restrooms etc.,
Redrock canyon open space is a good place to hike on a warm day. There is a lake with geese swimming in groups. 2 hrs of our time were spent leisurely after a long time.

We also could go for evening walks in the last month as Summer just started and the weather is great here for walking. We walked only inside our apartment and kids enjoyed their bikes.

3. Researching and trying new healthy recipes

I am grateful to my Yoga teacher and of course the Google search that I am able to learn many new healthy recipes that can easily be made. I hate cooking, so whatever it is that I try, it has to be simple and quick. I don't like to spend much time in my kitchen.

Fortunately, I learned to make millet soup, minestrone soup, lemon rice with foxtail millets, tasty veg salads, healthy smoothies, and a lot. So, the last month had seen a big spike in my learning curve of healthy cooking. I am excited to continue my learning.

4. Art and Dance

I couldn't draw much in May as I said, I am not forcing myself on any task these days. I do only when it's possible and don't stress if I couldn't do it at all. I could draw my first Mandala.

I could make some dance videos for students and I could take online dance classes to my satisfaction now. Researched some tips on taking online zoom dance classes and seems like it is working. But, it cannot compare with direct Dance classes where it was easy for me to correct student's mistakes.

5. Blogging and Books

I could participate in a blog link up for creative writing prompt - Red Roses. 

I could read 2 parts of my favorite historical fiction 'Ponni's beloved' - An English translation of famous Tamil novel (Ponniyan Selvan) and here are the reviews of Part 2 and Part 3. Try to read these books if you love historical fiction.





After 2 months, I could write our travelogue of the New Mexico trip - Roswell and Bandelier National Monument. I got an opportunity to write a sponsored post as well in May.

So, overall it's a great month for me. Since summer is here, the weather will be great and we can have more outdoor time in June. Hoping for a good month with some travel if possible.

How was your May? Did you get used to the new Normal?

Let me know in the comments.

Until next time,

Linking this to #GratitudeCircle hosted by Vidya Sury.

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Gratitude list for March 2019 #GratitudeCircle

How was my March? Just, busy. I was practicing for 2 dance performances and also giving classes on weekends. Work and home management is as usual without much challenges.

I couldn't complete reading even a single book but spent my time participating in blog trains by writing atleast weekly once. Iam so grateful for that.

In some discussion with a friend I heard about the dreaded C word again and the struggles the family is going through along with the patient. This made me realize how lucky we are for every small thing we have. Health, wealth, shelter, family, food, love, hobbies- every small thing. Life is unpredictable and nothing is permanent.

So, this month my gratitude list is very basic and ofcourse iam more than grateful for every little thing that God gave me.

Here goes my Gratitude list for March :

1. Health :

This always tops my gratitude list as you know, everything else like money can be earned but we should be blessed with good health.

Yes, we can improve our health by excercise and good diet but our genes/DNA impact some diseases that we get and eating good food is difficult these days with the pesticides being used in farming.

Iam grateful for my health and my family's and I pray to God that everyone be blessed with better health. I request everyone to focus on their health, be mindful and take good care of themselves.

2. Happiness

Be grateful for every thing in life,  you will be happy. Iam grateful for my happiness and contentment.

I read a beautiful WhatsApp forward from my friend who scientifically explained the reasons for happiness.

• Playing and exercising releases endorphines.
• Being appreciated by someone or being valued by someone releases dopamine.
• Sharing what we have and helping others release serotonin.
• Physical affection, hugging and being loved release oxytocin.

These 4 harmones ensure our happiness.

3. Hobbies

Iam grateful to my parents for introducing some hobbies to me at an early age which give me happiness. Reading books, dancing and painting are very relaxing.

4. Money :

We should all be grateful to God for having a shelter and food every day. Moreover,  iam grateful for having money for luxuries and money enough to lead a comfortable life.

5. Love :

I cannot tell you how grateful iam for my loving parents,  spouse, inlaws, children and my sister. They are the reason for my peaceful and happy life.

Being loved by someone is the greatest asset in life. Never take this for granted. Life is short. Love them back, forgive others mistakes, don't carry revenge and free yourselves.

So, that's about my generic but important gratitude list for last month. What are you grateful for? Do let me know in comments.

Have a happy April.

Until next time,

Linking this to #GratitudeCircle hosted by Vidya Sury.