Enquiries Into Yogic Philosophy

38 Things I’m Grateful For

December 7, 2020

A great way to do a roundup of the year is to think back on the year past.  And this year certainly forced us to think  a bit differently.

Without further ado – the 38 things I’m grateful for are:

  1. My work, interest and passion are the same.
  2. My strong immunity allowed me to overcome (what I think was) a bout with the dreaded Covid virus.
  3. Despite being a country teeming with people but low on resources, we came together to fight this pandemic beautifully.  The supermarkets were always well stocked, people were following social distancing protocols and we all felt supported by our people and our government.
  4. The pandemic gave rise to many an innovative solution!
  5. I missed attending a retreat and conducting one – but because we were all forced indoors, my practice and teaching grew by leaps and bounds.
  6. I was able to focus on my work with little distraction.
  7. Spent THREE weeks in Goa this year!!!
  8. While in lock down got to know my delightful neighbors and that made this year so much more bearable.
  9. The weekend parties and cookouts with my beautiful neighbors.  While many were cooped up in unhappy situations, we were living it up in our corner of the world.
  10. Saw quiet roads in a country which is teeming with people and traffic. I may never see this again.
  11. My friends and family are safe and sound.
  12. I have been able to build a life where I was safe in all ways during the pandemic, and could support those who depend upon me for their livelihoods.
  13. I read so much more during this pandemic (more than my Goodreads challenge).
  14. My creative juices were flowing!  There are so many new and exciting projects in the pipeline!
  15. I can cook and actually enjoy nourishing myself with food I whip up in my own kitchen!
  16. Won a National Yoga Championship, something I may never have been able to do if we weren’t in a pandemic.
  17. My Master’s studies weren’t hindered and I was able to stay on track with my exams and vivas.
  18. Made some long lasting friendships and bonds because of late night exam study sessions!
  19.  Completed an introductory Vedanta course (something I had always been curious about).
  20. I’ve owned a copy of the Bhagavad Gita for years, but this year I started studying it more deeply.
  21. I got to study with so many teachers who were inaccessible before, but available online now.  This helped me grow as a student and also gave me new perspective.
  22. I found many podcasts which are so incredibly interesting and also helped broaden my knowledge.
  23. I was a guest on a my dear friend Veganosaurus‘ podcast – my first time!
  24. My beautiful house was just the perfect for my online yoga sessions – the living room is big, clean, spacious and filled with natural light.
  25. I have a TV that hooks up to my laptop so that I can take online classes.  I’ve hardly ever used the TV, and now not a day goes by that I don’t use it!
  26. My boyfriend had an extra laptop (faster than mine) that I could use to conduct my classes.
  27. I saw a surge in students registering for my classes and it worked wonders in boosting my confidence as a teacher.
  28. Netflix and chill were the mainstays of my weekends.
  29. My latest tattoo is aesthetically and symbolically lovely!  A tattoo that even my tattoo artist said was special.
  30. I have proven to myself that I am self sufficient.
  31. The Artist’s Way kept me focused on slowing down and observing myself and my thoughts.
  32. I had a friend who did The Artist’s Way along with me and we paced each other well.
  33. I detoxed my bookshelves this year!  Analyse why you’re holding on to something and if that itself holds no good reason, then it’s easier to let go of things we thought we may never be able to let go of.
  34. The growth in my YouTube channel!
  35. Bought a beautiful bed that matches the rest of my furniture.
  36. Online shopping!!!
  37. My boyfriend proposed this year (exactly 2 days ago to be precise)!
  38. The love of my life and I finally decided THIS is it.

On the 20th floor of the Conrad Hotel, Bengaluru, looking at my city and my life with a new perspective.

 

I’m linking this blog to Corrine’s Gratitude list and also to Sunita’s Gratitude List.

12 Comments

  • Reply Susanne December 7, 2020 at 6:13 pm

    Yayyyyy, Pragya! You go girl!
    Nr 37 & 38 are outstanding – as is the adho mukha vrksasana on that window sill!
    Looking forward to an Indian wedding – may it not have to happen online due to…. Covid19, which please will pass over the next year – bye bye!
    A honeymoon in Italy would be „it“!
    Getting carried away, I better start creating my own list of WOWs for 2020.
    Big hug
    Susanne

    • Reply Pragya Bhatt December 8, 2020 at 9:49 am

      I was wondering if anyone actually reads my blogs and now I know they do 🙂
      Thanks for your wishes Susanne and I will keep you posted about all the festivities…we’re still trying to figure things out. I’m thinking that warrants another blog. And yes, an Italian honeymoon would be heaven 🙂

      Looking forward to reading your list of WOWs for 2020.
      xoxo

  • Reply Ryan K Biddulph December 8, 2020 at 2:03 am

    Those 3 weeks in Goa must have been so much fun. Awesome list. I feel grateful for house sitting in so many different spots in the US I’d never have visited, if I was traveling abroad.

    Ryan

    • Reply Pragya Bhatt December 8, 2020 at 9:50 am

      Sometimes just a change of place is all that our souls need. I’m glad you were able to experience that while staying put in the US.

  • Reply Mahati Ramya adivishnu December 8, 2020 at 3:56 am

    Congratulations for winning national yoga championship.

    • Reply Pragya Bhatt December 8, 2020 at 9:54 am

      Thank you Mahati! Loved your list too, lots in common 🙂

  • Reply Natasha December 8, 2020 at 7:12 am

    What a wonderful list. And congratulations on getting engaged.

    Yoga champion! Now that is wow!!

    Artist’s Way is great. I’ve had it for over a year, but yet to get started. I also fought Covid away, and doing well now.

    Kudos to you and your accomplishments.

    God speed!

    • Reply Pragya Bhatt December 8, 2020 at 9:55 am

      Thanks Natasha! The Artist’s Way is great. What worked for me was to keep pace with a friend, we kept tabs on each other and we’re on week 11 now. Perhaps something we could do together next year!

  • Reply Balaka Basu December 12, 2020 at 1:15 pm

    I am in love with your head stand. What a great list. 3 weeks in Goa..wow!!

    • Reply Pragya Bhatt December 15, 2020 at 6:01 am

      3 weeks in heaven more like it :). Thanks for stopping by!

  • Reply Corinne Rodrigues December 13, 2020 at 3:19 pm

    There’s many congratulations due to you, Pragya! But I’m sure the engagement is on the top of the list having been so recent! Wishing both of you many happy, adventures and love-filled days together.
    It seems like the pandemic has been a great time for you professionally as well as personally. Rock on!

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