Gratitude Day 124 - Life Happens

Dear Friends,
As the saying goes, life happens when you are busy making plans!
Well, last night I was busy planning a smart posting for Monday morning when life happened - my laptop crashed!
I ran to the nearest Kinko's! They offer 24-hour computer workstations  for twenty cents a minute. (I should have learnt to type faster!)
I sat at a computer, cool and collected, not a care in the world! However, little by little the noise, the heat, the ticking of the clock, the one able typing finger joined forces and scattered my thoughts! I had no thesaurus, no tea, no munchies! The pressure was on! As I was literally becoming sick, I made an executive decision to drop the precious weekend insights and content myself to being grateful to Kinko's from where I'm typing these words!
I'm also very grateful I don't write exams anymore!
Have a well-planned day everyone!

Gratitude Day 123 - The Return of the Purple Bracelet

Dear Friends,
Remember the purple bracelet I dutifully switched from one wrist to another every time I complained? Well, I brought it out again! 
One -  I'm a visual learner - I need a physical reminder not to moan!
Two -  I'm not as cheerful as I used to be! I miss me!
Three- I believe in the law of attraction! 
The purple bracelet kept me focused. I stayed away from negative energy and consequently doom and gloom stayed away from me. 


Maybe I meant the last couple of postings more for myself than for anybody else - I was becoming a bit of a downer! The excruciating pain in my neck - a wake-up call!
Furthermore, how can I preach gratitude if I myself am forgetting how blessed I am?!


This weekend, gratefully taking a page out of Oprah's handbook of life, I will recharge my spirit! Dancing, anyone?


Have a cheerful weekend everyone!

Gratitude Day 122 - Gratitude Fatigue Syndrome

Dear Friends, 
You might think I'm exhibiting gratitude fatigue syndrome, but believe me I'm not cutting corners - I'm just having one epiphany after another! 


Being grateful for our own health and that of our family is as valid in September as it is in December or April.
How many blessings do we need after all? It's the same with our clothes, dishes and shoes - need verses desire!  

When it comes to blessings, either we develop amnesia or simply get bored - as we might with the wallpaper in the bedroom or the cushions on the sofa.

When life stops going our way, we start taking our body, mind and abilities for granted. Before a tragedy jolts us back to giving thanks for the mere fact of being alive, we should recycle the blessings that have lost their luster such as being able to walk, eat and breathe independently.


Have a revealing day everyone! 

Gratitide Day 121 - Reusable Blessings

Dear Friends,
I didn't believe my gratitude postings should be like Tupperware - reusable! But then, I had an epiphany! If Dr.Oz could yet find  another 4 "new" easy ways for me to erase the effects of time, I surely could come up with a new way of being grateful for the same old blessings!


Once I looked around, I realized most magazines recycle their messages! They only change the font, the font size, and the colour of the ink!


Thus, I'm refashioning 4 "tired" blessings and presenting them to you under a different lighting.

I'm grateful for being alive, having children, a job and a place to live! 

I'm keeping food and friends for another day!
Have a reusable kind of a day everyone!

Gratitude Day 120 - Reasonable Logic

Dear Friends,

Let’s discuss Q-tips today! I’m very grateful for them! 
They clean my ears; take care of the running nail polish around 
my nails and the smudged eye-liner and mascara under my eyes; 
they help me apply eye make-up with more precision; they also clean 
my keyboard. 
I don’t think any other drugstore item has as many
impersonators as Q-tips! The secret to these imposters’ 
advancement is the blue box and the white writing! They fool me 
every time! Take it from a Q-tips junkie, the only brand to buy is 
Johnson & Johnson!  (No, I’m not a shareholder!)

The first amazing fact is that doctors are against Q-tips. My GP 
has "forbid"me to buy them! 
Apparently I have created a hollow “couloir,” between my ears;
a “in one ear, out the other” kind of a situation! 
The second amazing fact about Q-tips is that regardless of their 
perils, they continue to be sold amongst baby products. 

I ran into the same genre of “comedie noire" in New York. In the 
Riverdale-Manhattan bus, the Emergency Exit window was also 
the designated area for wheelchairs.
Now really, don’t you think the physically challenged would feel 
put upon, if they had to rescue non-handicappers?

Have a reasonably logical day everyone! 

Gratitude Day 119 - Nostalgia Part Deux

Dear Friends, 
From my windows, I can (gratefully) see a "strip" called Lake Ontario! Although guests have difficulty identifying the lake, I know there is one because regardless of the weather, the strip always remains one or two shades darker than the sky. 


On the weekend, having decided to take advantage of the blessing of living in a city by the water, I crossed ten subway stations to get to a place where I could revive my memories of Lake Geneva! 


It was not the best of weathers to be visiting a lake; nonetheless, I sat there, all bundled up. The restless blue water between me and the shore across, stirred in my mind images of my sons running around in Centre Island where I used to take them before they discovered the thrills of Wonderland; I saw students hiking around Island School where I had taken them in my first two years of teaching, and I saw a trusting version of myself enjoying romantic picnics and bike rides in Hanlan's Point. 


Then, all of a sudden it hit me - the lake were I had come to revive my distant past had a distant past of it's own! I returned home - with a double doze of nostalgia, grateful for being able to remember the life I lived. It's yet another privilege denied to many!
Have a memorable day everyone!

Gratitude Day 118 - Nostalgia

Dear Friends,

Today, I would like to salute dining out in an outdoor café!
  

The pros (people watching, no dirty pots & dishes at home, vitamin D) outweigh the cons (noise & pollution, cost, unhealthy food).

Very often, a sunny afternoon with a whisper of breeze pushes me into a sidewalk café. It might have something to do with my mid-teens, when - on a tea budget - I used to sit in a boardwalk café with my friends, clumsily puffing at a Muratti Ambassador cigarette, feeling so cool and grown up! Nowadays, instead of sitting by Lake Geneva, I sit by Yonge Street, most often alone; sip wine and give smokers dirty looks! But, I don't feel all grown up, just cool and a bit nostalgic, perhaps.    

I’m very grateful the Toronto I met thirty-one years ago has grown into such a cosmopolitan city where I can dine in an outdoor café; if for nothing else, but to ask myself, where have the years in between gone? A simple question - n'est-ce-pas? 


Have a Mediterranean weekend everyone!

Gratitude Day 117 - Dogs

Dear Friends, 

Since I have a commitment to continue my gratitude postings till the end of June, I have started looking for “blessings” anywhere and everywhere! 
My newly appreciative view of the same world I have been living in, amazes me. If I look at an object, situation or person with childlike curiosity or old mule’s obstinacy, I’m bound to detect something inspiring. 
Take for example, the leash. Shouldn’t all dog owners and dog walkers be grateful for them? More so, shouldn’t all who don’t like dogs or are afraid of them be grateful for leashes?

It seems that dogs and I keep the same hours and share the same paths! Thus, I personally am very grateful to dog owners who put their dogs on leash, on side walks. The shorter the leash, the better I can manoeuvre!

Have an inspiring day everyone! 

Gratitude Day 116 - Self-Indulgence

Dear Friends,

I had to throw the celebrity gossip magazines into the recycling bin - they were a bad, bad influence on me! 

I never dreamt I would dare to spend 50 dollars on a 5-ounce tube of hand cream. I need to feel some shame, but I don’t! It's so rich and smells so good! No matter how hard I try to bring up certain thoughts and images to feel guilty or at least superficial, I just can’t. 

Last night, sitting in my bed rubbing a dollop of the lavender-scented cream into my achy fingers was the ultimate happiness. I couldn't help but feel very grateful and declare aloud: THIS IS LIVING!  


Once I read in a psychology magazine that the key to happiness is lowering one's expectations. Maybe at first glance buying an expensive hand cream doesn't reflect such philosophy. However, when the hand cream is the only "happening thing" (both George Clooney and Jason Segel have been snatched) you bet it counts as lowering one’s expectations! 


Have a fulfilling day everyone!

Gratitude 115 - Simply Shellac

Dear Friends,

Simplifying one's life is not as simple as it sounds! It entails making changes - new choices and unexpected adjustments. Sometimes, it's simpler just to let things remain complicated! However, liberating oneself (gradually) from certain restrictions is a worthwhile endeavour.               .

For example, following a manicure, I always became slave to my nails, for the first couple of days! No paperwork, no housework, no cooking! Just put on some pretty rings and talk, waving my hands in the air! The rest of the days – it’s hiding my hands behind my back. 

Not anymore! Since I have discovered "shellac," I have reclaimed my hands! 

Strangely enough, I’ve been able to free myself from various other requirements - only aesthetics still hold me prisoner! 

Until I fix or accept the curly hair, the veiny legs, the flabby arms, and the lines, I remain grateful for shellac - my New Best Friend! 

Have a genuinely simple day everyone!

Gratitude Day 114 - Belly Dance

Dear Friends,

Did you know that “dance” has “psychology?” 
I could see it having “philosophy," but not psychology! 
I’m very grateful to a certain Dr. Lovatt for shedding some 
light on my inability to follow instructions, recipes and dance steps!

Dr. Peter Lovatt, lecturer and reader of the psychology of dance 
at the University of Hertfordshire, maintains that structured movements 
(knowing what step comes next) speeds up convergent problem-solving 
skills. Improvisation (not knowing what step comes next – that’s me!) 
enhances divergent problem-solving skills!

Obviously, it’s the whole concept of “structure” that I don’t take well to. 

I’m not unskilled - I’m an improviser; a divergent problem solver!

I should show this article to my Sunday belly dance instructor who every 

few minutes yells across the studio: “Lili, stay with me!” 
"Can't!" I shall yell back next time, "I'm busy diverging!" 

Have a creative day everyone!

Gratitude Day 113 - Friday The 13th

Dear Friends,

Today is Friday the 13^th and Gratitude Day 113!

I want to tell you an equally uncanny story!

Either make yourself a pot of tea, or pour yourself a tall drink.

This is a long, long tale - another weekend edition!  

I was born in The Hague, Holland to a two year-old brother

who was obsessed with an organ grinder and his monkey!

Every afternoon, in exchange for a few coins, the old man and

his monkey would station themselves under my brother’s window

and play music for him. The only tune that ever came out of that

organ was “o li li, o la la….,” nobody remembers the rest!

One day my brother was told to expect a little brother or sister.

Rumour has it, from then on, he kept pointing at every item my

parents bought for me, and calling it “lili’s!”

Thank God he didn’t go with lala’s!

Finally when a pink bundle was presented to him as his sister, he

clapped his hands and cried out: “It’s Lili!” I wonder if it had

anything to do with the monkey!

Both my parents, not very happy with the old-fashioned name my

paternal grandmother had chosen for me, decided to call me Lili

and leave Elaheh between the pages of my birth certificate.   

Once my brother and I reached the age of “sibling turbulence,”

I tried to establish myself as Elaheh, but it was too late.

Everybody was already used to Lili. Most importantly, “Lili”

was easier to pronounce for people of all nations!

Years passed by very quickly. I was 24, in the middle of a

revolution, and still Lili!

When my father was finally released from prison, I stood bail for him.That meant that if they needed him for questioning and he did not show up, they would take me, instead.

No problem, I thought. I was not going to waste time and send for my father’s cousin! I was already there – a fearless blood relative! I signed the papers. My father came home the same night.

A year later, following an unsuccessful coup orchestrated by the opposition in France, the revolutionary guards invaded our house, looking for my father. Luckily he was mountain climbing. However, the armed guards, barely at shaving age, did not take no for an answer. While they were searching the entire house, my mother and my husband kept ordering me around.

“Lili, open a window.” “Lili tell Fatemeh to bring tea.” "Lili, bring the sweets." Lili, Lili, Lili! Even the boy who had stayed behind to keep an eye on us was feeling sorry for me! Later my mother told me they were trying to distract me so I would not panic and run upstairs to my sons’ bedroom and make matters worse by waking them up.

Finally, a couple of glasses of tea and a few baklavas later, the guards left, urging us to tell my father to turn himself in, as soon as he got back.

We started plotting! We were not about to let my innocent father go back to prison. We were not impressed with the accommodations the first time around!

Suddenly the phone rang! I could hear my mother say: “Elaheh? I don’t know who she is. A relative of my husband’s maybe.” 
The guards were desperately seeking Elaheh!

As soon as my mother put the receiver down, the phone rang again! This time it was the relative who had taken possession of the house were I lived at the time I had signed my father’s release form.

I heard my mother say: “Really? They came looking for an Elaheh? I don’t know. We don’t have an Elaheh.”

When my mother put the phone down she told us the relative, frightened of course, had told the guards the truth; there was never an Elaheh M. living in that house, but a Lili M.

That is when I went into hiding. It was only a matter of minutes before the “boys” would solve the puzzle!

I remain eternally grateful to my brother and his organ grinder - and maybe the monkey!

Have a magical weekend everyone! 

Gratitude Day 112 - Bubble Bath

Dear Friends,

Yesterday’s deceivingly "sunny" weather pushed me into the tub!  


Allow me to sing the praises of “Bubble Bath.”

It encompasses so many blessings! Taking a bubble bath is not just 

the act of washing your body.

To have a clean, decent-size bathtub is a blessing.

To have the privilege of filling up a bathtub with clean hot water anytime of the day or night is a blessing.

To have a mere 20 minutes to oneself to take a bath is a blessing.

To have the peace of mind to want to take a “bubble bath” is a blessing.

To be able to afford an aromatic hypoallergenic product is a blessing.

To be able to take immense pleasure from taking a “bubble bath” is the crème de la crème of the blessings!

Have a bubbly day everyone!

Gratitude Day 111 - Celebrity Insanity

Dear Friends,

My philosophy in life has always been Live and let Live! However, as I was flipping through a celebrity gossip magazine - a symbolic gift from my dear colleague who gave me the purple bracelet - I came across a heartbreaking article - I had to pass judgement!

I do realise “wealth” is relative; as I’m appalled at “Jessica Simpson’s 2 million dollar delivery,” some might be scandalised by my 70 dollar facial.

BUT!

Since the “anxious” mother-to-be is planning to sell her baby’s first picture for 4 million dollars, I’ll say Max.well is a very appropriate name she chose for her daughter!

What am I grateful for? Not contributing a penny to the insanity of such celebrities! But, many are!

Have a really down-to-earth day everyone!

Gratitude Day 110 - Speedy Carousel

Dear Friends,

Every school of thought professes we should stop and smell the roses, but nobody is letting anybody off!

So, on the Easter weekend, I gave myself permission to jump off!

From healthy home-cooked meals to the stack of paid bills; from vigorous laps in the swimming pool to leisurely readings on my sun-filled balcony - I took advantage of time, savouring every moment and accomplishment.

On Saturday, I went across town to fulfil a promise. On Sunday, I went to the other end of town to have Easter brunch with my new family.

Then, I realised! It’s not really about motivation or indulgences; chores or responsibilities. 

It’s all about meeting one’s own rhythm. 

Then, I wondered! Have I slowed down, or the tempo has picked up, without notice?! 


One way or another, I would like to raise my hand for less "tintamarre," please?! 


I was so very grateful for the 4-day "marching to the beat of my own drum" weekend! 
Now, I can hop back on the speedy carousel - centred (for a while), with a flacon of rose water! 

Have a rosy, racket-free day everyone!                

Gratitude Day 109 - Peace, Joy and Harmony

Number of times I switched the bracelet yesterday  - Zero!

Dear Friends,

In summing up my feelings and findings on complaining and gossipping, allow me to say I am very grateful that my forty some days will be over on Sunday!

It was an enlightening, yet challenging exercise! I read and learnt a great deal about human nature and behaviour. I myself did fall off the waggon, much more than a few times!

In the final analysis, we are social animals. As Bernard Williams said, “We need each other in order to be anybody.”

If being “somebody” entails a bit of complaining here, a bit of gossipping there, so be it! Just learn when to wield it, when to fold it! Choose your partners in crime wisely and keep the malice to the minimum!

(If you have no idea what I'm talking about, go back and read gratitude days 89 and on!)  

Although I’m physically putting the purple bracelet aside, I shall always carry it symbolically. If nothing else, my new found awareness will make me feel so guilty that eventually I will quit gossipping and complaining; just like I quit smoking! 

I remain grateful for all the beauty and goodness that surrounds me; all the beginnings, prospects, hopes and dreams. If I learnt one thing from keeping track of my discontents is that it’s the road most travelled. It’s so easy to take life and its offerings for granted.

I’m sure it’s not a coincidence that the year I decide to do as Christians do, I get invited to an Easter Sunday gathering by people who have no idea about my Lent observance.

I would like to believe the Universe has aligned the stars in my favour.

Whether you celebrate Passover, Easter or just the two back-to-back 4-day weeks, may you find yourself in harmony with your higher power, blessed with peace and joy! 


Have a happy long weekend everyone!

Gratitude Day 108 - Penny's Murder

Number of times I switched the bracelet yesterday - Zero!

Dear Friends, 

Obviously, with no report cards to tackle, no student concert to worry about and no man to fuss over, I'm blessed with too much free time! Thus, I was thinking - about Penny's murder! 

Eliminating "1" will also result in disappearance of 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9! We will be small changing only by 5's! 

It will be so much easier to teach grade one students different ways of making a Dime or a Quarter! I am very grateful for that! On the other hand, it will be difficult to explain $1 as 100 of something students cannot have, see or touch! I'm not too happy about that!

I wonder whether $29.99 will become $29.95 or $30.00? 

Retailers better think twice because there are a great number of people out there like me who feel 29.99 is really 20, not 30.00! 

Along with 1 cent will also depart "a penny for your thoughts," "lucky penny," "two cents worth," "penniless," "penny-pinching" and probably a few more I don't know of. 

Penny will be missed immensely, especially by me who likes picking her up on the streets! I vote we take out the toonie!

Have a penny-saving day everyone!  

Gratitude Day 107 - Mother Nature

Number of times I switched the bracelet yesterday - zero!

Dear Friends,
The word on the street is that Mother Nature, being a woman, could not make up her mind about Toronto this year! She was unpredictable; too hot, too cold, too humid, too grey!


From amateur gardeners worried about the state of their plants to snow oriented businesses suffering financial losses, Mother Nature did not do right by many!


Did she distribute the wealth by causing some save, some lose to make us more considerate of others?
Did she send us from boots to sandals back to boots again to test our adaptability, or perhaps stability?


All I know is that those who were positive, flexible and resourceful went with the flow, accepted her moodiness and even managed to see a silver lining or two. 


Our climate used to shape our lifestyle – now, our lifestyle shapes our climate!  
Maybe Mother Nature, disappointed in the Me Me's, wants to regain "control!"
And just maybe, we should let her have it. To paraphrase William Congreve, hell hath no fury like a woman undermined! 


I remain grateful for the lessons! 
Have another seasonal day everyone!

Gratitude Day 106 - Outside of the Box

Number of times I switched the bracelet this weekend – well, let’s just say it’s next to impossible to have a gossip/complaint-free conversation with close friends!

Dear Friends,

We can be between sizes, jobs, cities, countries, even romantic relationships. I believe we can also be between personalities.  

Being between types, cultures, schools of thought, sets of values and lifestyles is being in Limbo!   

Limbo is a perfectly respectable category to be in! There is nothing wrong with a life “sur mesure” that defies a few norms here; resists a few customs there. 

All you need to do to enjoy life outside of the box is to find a few "Limbo Buddies." Their place in life doesn't have to look like yours. The common denominator of "not fitting" suffices to bind you together!

I am very grateful to have found my Limbo Allies!

Have an “outside of the box” kind of a day everyone!