What's the first thought that came to your mind when you read the title? The power of a single word...what are your expectations? Can it have a colossal impact? Well I believe it can. And even if it doesn't, I will remind myself time and again of this post and reinforce my faith. Yes, that is the magic of the internet, this little space. Accountability. Whenever we share something with our readers, we become answerable, accountable to that particular thing.
So the word for 2023 is
GRATITUDE
When I saw my favourite bloggers read Jacey Duprie, Leslie Stephens and many others share their words for 2023, it set me pondering. Supposedly people are no more making resolutions. Who sticks to them anyway? Intentions have taken the position and importance of resolutions few years back. And why not? Intentions are more doable and less rigid that resolutions. However the power of a single word dedicated for 2023 set my thinking horses galloping. Why not? Why not assign your intentions and thoughts to a single word and work on it for our betterment? The past three years have been pretty rough on me. However with maturity (of these three years), I have realised that I need to see the glass half full. I know it hasn't been easy and I have been in the lowest of all lows in my life during these three years, but that does not mean that I don't need to heal myself.
I have the scar marks, the grudges, the angst and the sadness. But I also remember the words from a self help book I reviewed two years back: If you hold a burning coal, the only person burning is you. So I have decided to let go ; because I am not ready to burn further. I have two little kids, and my well being is directly proportional to their healthy upbringing.
So this year onwards it would be focusing majorly on the good, and being grateful for the incredibly gifted life God has endowed me with. Emotional struggles ; although crippling are majorly first world problems. So let's just focus on the pluses only because let's face it: if you want to survive in this world, it better be in a smiling mode; ain't you?
So here are the three major things I am grateful for that happened in 2022:
Family health. Of course this goes without saying. Apart from little bit ailments, I am extremely grateful to have reasonably healthy parents, in laws and my immediate family. I mean nothing can be worse than an ailing elderly parent/ child or spouse. Incredibly grateful for their health.
Trip to Vietnam. Well being travelled to 23 countries so this may not seem something special. But believe me it is! With our last international trip to Maldives and Sr Lanka being 3 years back, it was the longest gap in the stamping of our passports! And not only that, I was privileged to travel with my entire fam...the kids as well as my parents. Incredibly grateful to my husband for planning this trip so efficiently for everyone of us to cherish for a lifetime. My little one would never be this little, strutting down the streets of Hanoi on her grandfather's lap. Simply priceless.
Home Renovation. When we bought this apartment in 2017, it was in fine shape. The interiors were not exactly upto my taste but there was no point in tearing down the perfectly working cabinets and all. Neither we had the money.
Five years down the line, there was a lot of wear and tear and two years of staying home with no maintenance rendered this place of some tender love and care. I decided to brave it all, going for the renovations (apart from the repairs) which I wanted but never could.
It was full six months of blood, sweat and tears literally. And not to forget the dust and debris. In one word, it was HELL. managing everything with 6 workers right next to me, 12 hours everyday. Husband nagging me daily that I had brought hell upon my family because of this decision. We never needed a new kitchen or mirrorred closets. But hey? He got to be outside at work, 14 hours a day while I combatted everything. But somehow looking back (now that everything is complete) I am pretty proud of myself.
My biggest gift of 2022 : getting to call this renovated place my home. I work extremely hard to keep it beautiful and clean, and I am extremely grateful that I get to cook in my dream kitchen everyday. I love the new doors, the new cabinets and every single change we made with our hard earned money.
Forever grateful.
What's your word for 2023? Let me know!
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Make a Wish Box.
33 comments
Sometimes we have to go through a storm before seeing the rainbow. The place looks amazing you should feel very proud in what you accomplish making your home suitable and welcoming well done.
ReplyDeleteYes Gratitude! It makes life easier & happier otherwise life is life. Bravo for doing a fab job in home renovation. It looks fantastic. Enjoy this new home look each moment.
ReplyDeleteYou have done your best in creating your heaven home 🏡. So proud of you dear.. well done!
ReplyDeleteIts a dream come true and with all the hardwork and all the dreams of a perfect home is amazing and you have finally achieved it. God Bless. Lots of Love.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Moni
Gratitude is such an apt word for 2023, especially after the Covid scare we all have been through. We need to be grateful, just to be alive. Sandy N Vyjay
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such personal stories. Gratitude is indeed a virtue that should be practiced every single day. Incidentally love your kitchen
ReplyDeleteIt is important to have that gratitude of what we have. There are so many people who wish for things we have and it is crucial to recognise that. So sweet of you to share the three things you are grateful of.
ReplyDeleteMy word for 2023 is Rejuvenation. Your post has such positive vibes. So happy to see your renovated space and holiday pictures. I am on the road to do the same.
ReplyDeleteGratitude. This year 2022 taught us so much. Greatful to have healthy twin baby . your house is beautiful. Love the decor
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and heartwarming post. Your vacay pcs and the newly done home look stunning and am so glad you got to make the most of normalcy post-COVID. Blessed and Grateful are my key words forever since the time I started praying consciously and am glad your post brought out the word 'Gratitude' so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteWe all must do things to keep ourselves and people around us happy as their happiness Too are impacted by our moves. I really admire the part where you talk about thekids and how you can impact them ..their wellness depend on you is very true.
ReplyDeleteGood health is extremely important. If health does not agree with us, nothing is worth it. Your home is so beautifully set up. Lovely choice of colors.
ReplyDeleteGratitude is the perfect word of the year, particularly in the current times. Counting our blessings. Loved the way you have done up your house. It looks so inviting.
ReplyDeleteGratitude is the most beautiful and positive word to keep us going. Hope you have more to be thankful for in the coming years. Your home is truly beautifully done. Has such a welcoming vibe!
ReplyDeleteGratitude in life is very important and without that life will not be meaningful in any way. We should be thankful to what we have with us and show our gratitude to life. There are many things that I too need to execute and achieve this year and with my effort and hardwork if I can achieve that then yes I will again be grateful to life and if not then again I will show my gratitude to life for what I have.
ReplyDeleteGratitude is a magic word. We should be thankful for everything we have. Loved your vibrant home. It looks so warm.
ReplyDeleteLove the post, love the idea, love the concept, love your word, love your new house. Like your new interiors, uv done up this post so beautifully Mandira... its so heartfelt. My word for this year... hmmm... Freedom❤️
ReplyDeleteYou truly let your heaet out with the post and the pictures of the house is so amazing, a beautiful cozy family nest, loved it
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great word to embody for the year. Post surving covid I think we could all live with a bit more gratitude inside us
ReplyDeleteIndeed cultivating gratitude is a simple but powerful way to improve our overall quality of life. By taking the time to reflect on the good things in our lives and express our appreciation, we can cultivate a more positive and fulfilling outlook on life. Loved your home, it looks so inviting.
ReplyDelete-Anjali (messymom)
Gratitude for coming across your blog through Blogaberry Dazzle :)
ReplyDeleteHaving gone through 3 years of the pandemic, we must practice gratitude and be thankful for life itself. Great post and lovely pics. The interiors look great!
ReplyDeleteLoved the way you have done your home. The COVID period did help many of us and gave time for introspection. I also feel we must practice gratitude, i am also trying to take small steps in this direction.
ReplyDeleteGood health , gratitude are best gift one can give oneself . Your coal quote from self- help book is so true.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all heartiest congratulations on seeing your dream come true! A perfect home is everyone's desire but to see it manifest is a blessing. And now that you have chosen the word Gratitude for the year, it all seems to be just perfect. God Bless!
ReplyDeleteGratitude and thankfulness are the words I always opt for. Your house is so beautifully decorated that I can't take my eyes off it. It looks like a dreamland, and I love how you curated this with your love and happiness. God bless you always.
ReplyDeleteThis surely is one of my words for 2023 as well! Since focusing on self-help and self-care for the past few years this is surely one thing I've learned of and really surprised of being able to focus on. It is through that that you're really able to appreciate the things you have and be humbled! Lovely of you sharing this! - MommyWithAGoal
ReplyDeleteSakshi here - you have penned a beautiful post on gratitude and shared your vacation pictures and home remodeling ordeal with an open heart. Indeed post Covid, collective human consciousness of being grateful for our health, our loved ones health and harmony is on the rise. And that is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteThis concept makes so much more sense then making full long lists of resolutions for new year and never actually working on it and I love the fact you picked gratitude. We often forget the positive in the many negatives of life. Gratitude reminds us of all the positives.
ReplyDeleteThe above anonymous comments is mine i.e. Shail Thosani.
DeleteGratitude is the apt word for sure but, Your hardwork can be seen in making your Dream home come true. keep it up, You have done it all well.
ReplyDeletei too feel that gratitude is something that we all have to say it out loud. Loved how you decorated our home
ReplyDeleteGrateful is indeed a great word! I think mine would be 'healthy' for 2023.
ReplyDeleteNice post!
Noor