online yoga

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.