Practice Gratitude

In uncertain times and periods of despair, it is natural for someone to look at the negatives, lose sight of positives and feel demoralized. Practicing gratitude definitely keeps the hope live and keeps the belief on a better tomorrow go strong. I see this as the primary theme in the democratic convention and it feels so right.

So, why not start practicing the same ?

I am going to enumerate 10 new things I should feel grateful about every day going forward.

For today :),

(1) Living in an information age where I have access to thoughts of great minds and thinkers applicable to every situation possible. If not for it, one's world would be extremely limited by what is perceived through immediate surroundings.
Read in Steve Job's biography that he realized he would serve the world better through technology than becoming a saint at the end of the year spent in India searching for enlightenment. There is a lot I learnt just from this one man.. whatever you do, do it spectacularly. Do what you love and love what you do. It is easy to connect the dots when you look back but not forward - have solid guiding principles as your lighthouse.

(2) Friends - smart, upbeat and caring. I should really thank God :) for the kind of friends I came upon in this life. Everyone had something to teach me (not through talks) but by leading through example or as role model. Friends who put a floor to how far I can go spiraling down.. friends who follow few but inviolable principles.. friends who remind me that I am never alone but are there on my side.

(3) Living in a country where the leaders are role models and stressing on morals/principles. Just loved the democratic convention speeches of Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton.. great speakers, great role models. It is definitely inspirational.

(4) Living in an age and an environment where women have more choices than ever.

(5) Parents who gave their best and let me make the choices. It is not that I have been great with my choices but I still had the freedom to make the choices I am comfortable with and aspired to. Cannot ask for more :)

(6) Financial self sufficiency. Been debt free except for missing few parking tickets here and there.. Otherwise, Ms. Fortune has been generous with me. It does feel good to have the ability to buy anything I wish for(mine are never too fancy) but not have to really exercise it - the feeling of abundance.

(7) My best lessons were from tough masters. The stress on excellence from my ex-manager, the stress on doing the basics right from another. The biggest lesson - "Stop repeating mistakes"; small things add up to one's character/personality/reputation. I have been working really hard on my reputation as being reliable over the last year at work and can see how much focus that requires... so more the need for just "few" inviolable principles and not "many".

(8) One of the best lessons for the month - smile even if you don't feel like and you will be surprised that you indeed feel happy when you do that. Try it. Heard this from a collegue who's always smiling. I did try it and it is true :). He said smiling over the phone can also send great vibes over the phone :)

(9) Love people, see how you can help to make others' life better, nothing big just in small ways - it makes everything easy and better.

(10) Dont believe in the worst you hear about yourself - it can make you think its better to end life here at this juncture as if you are incorrigible. Focus more on outside - on actions to be taken, network more, help others... it removes the edge from laser focusing on oneself(which is not always healthy - one needs a balance and sufficient distractions in life). Nothing is incorrigible, nothing is end of everything.. there is more to life - life is large, more uncharted waters to explore. Look at Life as a game - fun learning experience (nothing to lose, nothing to gain at the end but a great experience/journey to smile upon on your deathbed).