Practice Gratitude!

Hello Everyone! 

This  makes me feel as if I am talking to you all reading this.... actually, I am ....in my mind. Hope am able to establish that connect with you! In fact my last post titled, The year that was! dealt with feeling thankful for everything the year gone by, gave me. More of recounting on the best moments and rejoicing in them. Also introspecting and finding out things that helped the year to be awesome!.... with regards to my degree of anticipation and expectations. They are never too high, guess have learnt to keep them achievable and enjoyable. 

Also it takes me to the two experiences I had on the eve of the new year,  inlaws, my two sons and I were home and wanted to decide on the celebrations to ring in the new year. Since hubby was out sailing we had to plan for the evening. The housing society we stay in had a New year party in place, its generally a hit with the children of all age groups and the youngsters. Mothers love it too as everything is under control and under their watchful eyes. The music is good and so is the food. The children also have games organised. So in all its a complete package for the non drinking crowd. Option two, for us was to choose one of the clubs that we are members for the party. I asked everyone, in laws wanted to be home as they avoid having outside food. Children found the club atmosphere not too appealing, where they felt the elders had a good time and they were reduced to mere babies with some silly entertainment. Fair enough! Now I was the one to decide, truly speaking I felt like being with my in laws and enjoying the evening with watching an entertainment program on TV and some great music, may be a glass of red wine or the bubbly. But couldn't leave the boys on their own so I decided to attend the society event. Do mother's really have a choice?

I was free the whole day as nothing much had to be done. Went for my walk picking up the cellphone and a sling bag with my wallet in it. After walking for about an hour while returning home, decided to pick up the cake thought in laws would be home and they could have it. Though had plans of getting the New Year cake on the 1st. Went to the cake shop that I always pick up cakes from. It was 7 pm, there were many cakes on display, a counter set outside too. And quite a few people in the shop, picking up their orders or buying off the shelf.

I waited for my turn, in the meanwhile checked the wallet and realised that I had picked up the wrong one that I use for keeping the change and not the one that had cash and cards. I asked for the pineapple cake that in laws like and told him that I didn't have all the cash. The owner had a look of pride and achievement on  his face that day as it was his day of good sales I guess. When he heard what I told him, he asked me to take the smaller one as it being the 31st night he couldn't do anything what I understood was he wouldn't give any credit. He is the same guy who has been delivering my cake orders of atleast 3 kgs plus for the birthdays and anniversaries. I pick up cakes from his shop very regularly. If you take an average it'll be more than 2 each month. I felt quite taken aback, and told him that I would come back with full cash and take the cake then. I was surprised with his behaviour, does anyone treat a regular customer like this? He'd have got his money the very next day, he had my number too so I wasn't going to be a defaulter. 

Some of you might be thinking why am I giving so much importance to such a trivial issue. And that the man was doing his job, so what if he was a bit superstitious with giving such petty credit. I agree completely. But at the shop that day this gentleman was demanding only cash payments. He had a card swiping machine but  was telling the customers that it wasn't functional. He was not accepting any online wallet payments either. People had cash crunch due to demonetization accepting cards and wallet payments is the least he could do. Even small time vendors and small business owners like the cobbler on the street were accepting these modes of payments. That makes me not excuse the behavior of the cake shop owner.

As I was walking back home, there's another cake shop on the way, The Iyengar Bakery and they had introduced fresh cream cakes to their existing menu. I just walked in to check the new counter that they had opened. They did have pineapple cakes and I picked up one from them. I told the person at the counter that I didn't have much cash to which he replied, I could take whatever I wanted and pay later. I picked my the pineapple cake, and the money in the wallet was just about enough. I kept walking towards my home but thoughts were with the person who was so arrogant that day, somewhere I felt humiliated too. I was thinking of never ever buying anything from him. 

I reached home, shared the incident with my mother in law, she knew exactly how I felt... she understands me completely must say! Went for the party with my boys and returned home only post 12, we walked in with the New year literally.

My thoughts were pretty mixed now I just wanted to forgive the baker, thought afterall it's our attitude that decided how we dealt with situations. It also defined who we were. Gratitude was to be practiced by all. A person should never carry any ill feelings towards anyone. I told to myself that I'd go to that cakeshop again and buy cakes from him but also let him know what he did. Afterall, I am a trainer and a teacher! I also understand the importance of sharing my feedback. People improve, services improve, perceptions undergo a change - that's the very purpose of training isn't it?

I felt better. Then was checking my phone, there were hundreds of new year messages and greetings that I wouldn't have finished reading forget reciprocating. Checked my Gmail and one email kind of made my day feel really special, in fact was a great start to 2017,copying it here for you.

 

Hello Laxmi,

Your first article is live now. Here is the link to your article: http://marinersgalaxy.com/2016/12/new-year-resolutions.html

You can share this where ever you want.

Have A Nice Day,

Mark Eriscson

Chief Editor

www.marinersgalaxy.com

[Merchant Navy, Shipping Jobs, Maritime News, Exams, Shipping Companies, Marine Engines, Stories Of Seas...More]

So my article was up on this popular portal of the mariners. Having connections in the shipping community and being married to a master mariner, I took it as an honour when they asked me to contribute articles. I was thrilled! One evening brought so many experiences and emotions. From bad customer service to a delight and then a feeling of great honour. Whatever said and done, its always your attitude that decides how you'll end up feeling. Calm and optimistic or grumpy and negative. You attract things that'll touch your life!

Am sure you all are having a brilliant start to the new year, let humility and gratitude be an integral part of it. 

PS pictures are taken from Google with due credits, for representational purpose only.

The year that was!

People make new year resolutions!... I haven't done that ever and neither will make any this year or in future. But this year I feel like putting my thoughts on paper... because it has been an incredible year for me. Please don't think in terms of success, material or otherwise but truly it has been a year of realizations and feeling of gratitude. Just  3 days to bid goodbye to the year 2016, let me recount the best things that happened to me this year.

The Plan B

This was the year, I had certain plans made and wanted to go by them... not talking of resolutions here. I was turning 40, wanted to be on my own and plan B was vaguely sketched. I would travel more, be with my children more and give my mariner husband a bit more of my time. Do what I thought would give me happiness, that is conduct training programs for different industries, and associate myself with skill training and contribute a little bit towards making the underprivileged youth employable. I sounded this to my husband who has been the pillar of strength . He was supportive of whatever I decided to do. Then was the chance meeting with the chairperson of my company and happened to share my ideas with her. She has been the very reason why I joined the company in the first place, 10 years ago. She is an inspiration, a lady we look upto. Not just for her being the chairperson but being gutsy, anything but ordinary and the woman of substance that she is. She has been a personal role model, I am a big fan of hers actually! She heard me and the first thing that she said was, "We wouldn't want to lose you. Can we think of doing something together, will work something out." 

Who in today's world will say that to one of the employees? It had a profound influence on my mind, heart and I must add even the soul. Her words were one of my biggest rewards. A feeling of gratitude and of being valued so much. No one is indispensable including me, I know that very well. When someone gives you that value, doesn't want to give up on you, believes in you and wants you to do the best that you can. How could you not listen to that person? In fact you must never leave him or her. One, it shows you have earned that. Second, you can achieve anything but it takes so much more to earn someone's trust. 

I didn't have the heart or the will to walk away. I decided to stay on, count my blessings as I could start noticing beauty in every little thing that I had taken for granted. My plan B has been pushed a little further as I'll never give up on the person who had that trust in me. Life is a two way cycle and gratitude is just not another word in the dictionary! Its a feeling that's only felt and no words can ever explain it.

Your family is the biggest strength

Your family is the biggest strength that you'll ever have, invest in it. Social media will give you a lot of virtual friends. Most of them will be just your contacts, instead of building a longer lists there invest on the relationships both personal and professional. We have a close family that we love and value but we spend more waking hours at the work place. 

Work colleagues too must build and nurture those professional friendship and bonding.Work environment has to be healthy and fun. Collaborations, teamwork and partnerships actually decide the success of an organisation, not the brilliant human resources that can't work as a team. That's why we have started valuing EQ and SQ, not focusing only on the IQ. Healthy work environments create happy professionals, that in turn creates happy results for the organisation. Just imagine, that'll keep everyone coming to office with a smile, where will the Monday morning blues go?

Be ready

We all make great plans and put all our thoughts and actions towards fulfilling them. If that plan doesn't work out for us we are completely shattered. Remember we make plans for ourselves, He makes plans too! Sometimes its good to trust His plans and be ready without much of disappointment and crying over the spilt milk. Instead look for the dairy where you can pick your milk from. Even better, rear that cow! A slight change in attitude can do a lot more to ones confidence. Its only that confidence and self belief that'll create success for you. So be ready for whatever comes your way like a soldier. You are the major of the army called your Life. 

Just do it

Life is so unpredictable, last couple of months we have witnessed so much around us. It'll be true to say that nothing comes with a guarantee. Make the most of whatever is close to your heart and NOW is the time! Never miss an opportunity to meet the person who is important in your life, talk to someone special over the phone, express your love, gratitude and even disappointments. Apologize and make it up for the fight that you might have picked up or an argument that might have developed. These things don't need the seal of permanency.

Create a balance

Create that work life balance, that everyone talks about these days. Its your life and you know the best, trial and error method is the only solution. No expert or self help books can ever chart it out for you. You are unique and so is the situation around you. So create the best work life balance that you can. You must feel energized, happy, optimistic and in peace with your surroundings. This is what I feel the balance should create in your life. Finding 'Me' in the middle of things and keeping stress at bay!

Body is your temple

Good health is your biggest wealth and literally so. Check out the hospital bills and the number of ailments finding their way into the medical books. Healthy body harbors a healthy mind. Take care of it, dedicate at least 30 minutes a day in worshiping that temple! Find a fitness regime that you enjoy and the one that works for you. Walking, jogging, swimming, yoga, working out at the gym or following any sport that you love will take care of your fitness. Eating healthy is equally important as it contributes to your stamina and endurance. If over 35 years of age, one needs to get the routine health check ups done. If you respect your body it'll love you back. Not only will you look great but also feel on top of the world.

Count your blessings

Be grateful for what you have, the best things in life actually come for free. You must know to recognise them, invite them in your life and ensure that they stay. All good things are to be shared, ensure that you do a good turn each day. No matter what has happened throughout the day, all the mess can be negated by this one good deed and you can sleep peacefully. You must also be the Santa for someone else. There's greater happiness in giving, sharing and bringing a smile on someone else's face! 

Love yourself

The person you know the most is the one in the mirror. Who knows the journey walked by him/ her better than you? Who has seen him all through the thick and thin. Be proud of that person and be his biggest support system. He needs you all the time, keep giving him the 'push' when he needs it the most. Be his guide and philosopher, above all be his cheerleader! Remember your journey started together and it'll go on till eternity. 

Celebrate

Celebrate anything that deserves one, big or small doesn't matter. But you having basked in that moment of glory matters indeed. Milestones, benchmarks,successes or lessons learnt, special occasions, friendships, family get togethers; all are reasons enough to celebrate. Celebrate life!.... period!!

Wishing you all, a very happy, healthy, peaceful and incredible New Year 2017!... Shine on!!

PS. Pictures have been taken for representational purpose from google with due credits