WOES.

Eventually!

NONE.

'Tis the season..

Drink & Be Merry!

I hope this season/new year increases your joy tenfold and may all your sorrows be gone! Drink & be merry! :) 

Teehee

A Day..

Always does.

STUDIOUS.

CHAI

love.

Bucks.

Martina

Hello!

Chilling.

Reader.

Woods.

We Do.

Day 30/30

Saved the best for last! Our existence literally depends on these people. We wouldn't be able to make it into this world without them. There aren't enough words to describe the awesomeness that our parents are. I take them for granted sometimes, but it's only because I love them immensely and  I know they know that they mean the world to me so they forgive quickly. I'm so grateful for my parents. Thanks, thanks, thanks universe for blessing me with the best parents in the whole wide world! 

Day 29/30

The Underrated Ones. The labourers, our house helps, the sweepers who keep our streets clean, the people who pick our garbage in the morning, the cleaning ladies in the public washrooms, and so many more.. So grateful for these people, who make our lives easier and better by doing the kind of work that we don't/wouldn't! I hope you count them in your blessings too and treat them that way! Thank them as often as you can, I know I do. Thank you, thank you, thank you to them! :)

Day 28/30

Aaloooooo! I have a special emotional attachment to potatoes. When I see someone hasn't finished the potatoes on their plate, it breaks my heart. I cannot accept it. Judge me all you like. Potatoes are such a blessing! Thank you, thank you, thank you, potatoes for existing! Much, much, much love.

Day 27/30

It's just my waking up drug. A syrup responsible for all my bodily functions. Thank you, thank you, thank you for Coffee, "to whomsoever it may concern." Bless you! :D 

Day 26/30

If you know me, you know I love this weather. I love everything about this weather. I'm so, so, grateful that this weather exists. Good hair days, oversized sweaters, hot coffee/chocolate, layered clothing, the cold winds, no-sweat season, everyone is chilling (literally),.. love it all. Thank you, thank you, thank you, nature! =)

Day 25/30

The smell of new boooooooooks! The texture of papers, the matte, the glossy,.. the layouts, the pictures, the stories, the words, THE KNOWLEDGE, the wisdom, .. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. So grateful for the existence of books. Thanks, thanks, thanks, to the writers, printers, publishers, the readers, everyone who is involved in the process. Good job, guys! *big hug* 

Day 24/30

Whatever color, shape, size, form, .. your body is in, LOVE it. Embrace it, and be grateful for it. If you're flabby, accept your body, work out and eat healthy, keep it nourished, not because you hate it, but because you love it so much you care for it. I'm blessed to have a perfectly imperfect body and I'll work to make it better every day. But before I do that, I'm grateful - Thanks, thanks, thanks! 

Day 23/30

Imagine not having a new day, just living in one day your entire life. No, right? I think it's amazing that we get a new day every day. A chance to start afresh, every morning. Each morning could be a new start to something different, like maybe starting a good habit, or quitting a bad habit, or starting a healthy breakfast routine, etc.. We're blessed to have a new day, every day. Appreciate that every morning as you wake up! Be glad to have yet another chance! Thanks, thanks, thanks, universe! :)

Day 22/30

“In wine, there's truth.” 

― Pliny the Elder, Natural History

Enough said! Very grateful for wine and scotch too, but illustrating a vineyard seemed more exciting.. Thanks, thanks, thanks to the genius who thought of converting fruits and grains into brilliant drinks! :D

Day 21/30

Imagine traveling to places without any means of transportation. Just walking. Everywhere?! CANNOT.  We wouldn't be able to explore so many beautiful countries. Be grateful for the brilliant inventions - Cars, buses, trains, ships, Airplanes.. I'm definitely most grateful for the invention of airplanes.. and cars too actually! It's a tie! But I'm glad these exist, they save us so much time and energy. Thank you, thank you, thank you, mankind. =)

Day 20/30

I feel really, really grateful for the comforts in my life. The roof over my head, the comfortable bed, the clothes, the shoes, .. I feel blessed to have all of it. Thanks, thanks, thanks, universe and to my family.  =)

Day 19/30

The Firsts. The first follower, your first client, your first follower on your blog/other Social Media, your first project, your first consumer, .. The first person to believe in what you're doing/ be interested in what you have to offer. They're the ones who make you believe in yourself even more than you did. “The first follower is actually an underestimated form of leadership in itself. … The first follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader.”
Appreciate the firsts, the underestimated but the most important  ones!

Thank you thank you thank you to all the firsts (they know who they are). :) 

Day 18/30

What's life without Chocolates?! Thank You Thank You Thank You to the person who made it happen! Much much much LOVE.

Day 17/30

You fall, you get up, you fall, you get up, you fall, you learn, you do better than you did before. The best lessons are learnt from failures and mistakes. You also learn to empathize with others, you learn to not be judgmental with others, you grow.. It's really a blessing in the long run. So, any time in your life, you're going through a bad phase, or failures, just know that it's making you better. It'll be hard, of course, but that's what's making you better and stronger, and eventually you WILL succeed. Success is basically getting back up after failing. Keeping at it! I'm definitely grateful for all of my failures and glad that I made the mistakes I've made in my 26 years. They've made me a better and stronger person. So, thanks thanks thanks to all of my experiences of failures and mistakes! Here's to failing some more and making a few more mistakes in life, but also learning from the same. :)

Day 16/30

The reason why we are sitting and chilling right now, safely roaming around in our country, it's because of these brave people at the borders. The selfless people. The ones who sacrifice their lives fighting for our safety and protection. Take a moment to appreciate and be grateful for these angels. It's the least we can do. Thank you, thank you, thank you, to these brave hearts and their loved ones for being so selfless and for bringing such greatness in this world! :) 

Day 15/30

Since always I've been interested in observing people. When I meet people I am curious to know what their story is. When a person says "I like to read", I am more interested in knowing why they like to read, what they like to read, and why they read what they read. You know what I mean? So basically I'm fascinated by stories. That's also why I'm fascinated by Movies. When I watch a movie, I attach myself to the characters and I feel like I'm living his/her life through the movie. I love watching movies because I get to experience different stories/different lives of people. Also, I feel that, in a way, I get to know more about the director or the writer of the film. When a director is making a movie, most often than not he/she has something related to his/her own personal life in the story .. and that's what seems very intriguing to me. I'm glad such people exist, I'm glad movies exist, so people can tell their stories and inspire others through this form of art. I hope people keep making amazing movies and continue to share their awesomeness. =) 

Day 14/30

Behind every great/not-so-great idea, there's this. Inspiration. It's in every thing, person, animal, .. around us. Anything could inspire you at any given moment. It's because of inspiration that great things happen like beautiful movies, paintings, photographs, music, etc. I thrive on inspiration. I'm sure you do too. This project has been inspired from Leah Dieterich, she was inspired by her mother, .. it's a chain. It's an amazing thing, and the best thing is all of us have the power to inspire. You might be inspiring someone to do something right now, without even knowing that you're doing it. But when you realize you inspired someone in a good way, it's such an awesome feeling, isn't it? This is a tribute to all the things, people, music, experiences, movies, .. that have inspired me to do good things with my life! Thanks, thanks, thanks! :)

Day 13/30

Everything. Music means everything and more to me. I cannot imagine living in a time where it didn't exist. Absolute blessing.. it takes you to another world. A world where everything is beautiful. Makes me feel all the feels in extremes. It inspires on another level, zen level. Thank God/Universe and mankind for making music happen. THANK YOU for the best gift ever! So grateful to be living in this age, where music exists. Talking about music, THIS GUY though. Legend. Thank you, thank you, thank you! :)

Day 12/30

For all my fellow Indians, only one word, six letters, SWADES! For the rest of you guys, the video could explain at 6:14 and 6:33 .. =)  Electricity that we take for granted. People study under street lights at night, because they aren't as privileged. I can't even imagine what they must go through during the summers. Feel grateful, so grateful. It is a luxury for so many people to have electricity in their homes. We are just sitting here cribbing about how Netflix India doesn't have the shows that other countries have. Ugh! Anyway, point is feel blessed and privileged, I know I do. 

Day 11/30

Being able to connect with you, right now, through a screen (this blog) from one part of the world to another part of the world .. it's MAGIC! It's magic if we told someone from the 1800s about this. It is still a miracle for me, because it's genius. It's Technology! This is debatable if we start a whole Technology- a boon or a bane thing. But, that's not what we are trying to accomplish here. We're here to look at the bright side, to be grateful, to count our blessings, .. And technology is definitely one of the biggest. Getting food/ clothes/furniture/ you name it .. delivered at our doorstep at the click of a button? Brilliant stuff! So, this one is for all the techies, who made/make our lives easier. Thanks, thanks, thanks! :) 

Day 10/30

The following quote by Anne Frank is more than enough to explain why one must be grateful for nature. “The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”

Nature has the power to make you forget the troubles of every day life. It makes those issues look so trivial once you're out there, walking, observing, really appreciating it for its beauty. SUCH A BLESSING to be a part of it. 

Day 9/30

This is for us. You and I, the good eggs (yes, we are). The human race. We have got to be grateful to have each other too. The people who make this world a better place. Who care, about the environment, who care about other PEOPLE. By people I don't just mean our relatives and friends, I mean strangers inclusive. SO, thank YOU for being one of us. Thank you, for making people believe there's good in the world by being the good in the world. Thank you for making me believe there's still hope. Thank you for making this world a little better every day! I'm grateful with all my heart and feels. *Big hug* Yay, humanity. :)

Day 8/30

Dreams, passions, talents, ambitions. Stuff that makes you go crazy and excited both at the same time. Our calling.. Things that make our lives interesting. Passions give our lives a purpose. "The things that excite you are not random. They are connected to your purpose. Follow them." So grateful to have something to wake up for and look forward to, every day! :)

Day 7/30

Motivation. Day after day, you need it. Hourly even. The fact that you've made it through all the bad phases or days of your life, means that you were motivated enough. Be grateful, take a moment to appreciate the fact that you had the motivation to get out of bed when you didn't even want to wake up. Here's hoping we stay motivated to get up, dress up and show up. EVERY. DAY. Thanks, universe, THANKS! :)

DAY 6/30

I don't think there's much to say here. This one's for all those times someone had your back. That person/those people who call you names, but when need be, the same person/people will come to your rescue! The angels in disguise. 

Day 5/30

Taking love/relationships for granted is in our DNA. But let's change that. Let's not. Let's appreciate all the love we are constantly showered with by our parents, siblings, friends, pets, life partner, and even other people who really admire you for what you do, and love you for what you are. Unconditionally! How lucky are we to even have that one single person who cares for us, supports us. You don't need very many, even one is a big blessing. Go tell them how blessed you feel by their existence in your world. I know actions speak louder than words, but sometimes saying it out loud to them re-affirms the fact. The universe is going to double the amount of love you get showered with! GO, do it now! :)

SPACE.

Day 4/30

So, you're sitting/standing there, viewing this on your laptop or your smart phone or a desktop. Need i say more? You're wealthy enough to afford using the device/devices and the internet too. Even if you're stealing someone's wi-fi, you're still wealthy enough to know what wi-fi is. Instead of chasing and cribbing about all the expensive stuff you can't afford, let's appreciate the things we CAN afford, with the wealth (even if it's a small amount) we do have. Imagine not making the money you're making right now? Imagine not making any.. DREADFUL! Instead of being a brand ambassador of First World Problems, let's feel content and grateful for all the Third World Problems we don't have. Happy days!! :D

( -_- )

Day 3/30

The fact that you're able to read and comprehend this blog post is proof enough. All the beautiful sights you're able to witness, the smell of delicious food, pretty flowers and other fragrances that take you to a parallel universe of your own imagination.. The ability to touch and  feel, hug and kiss, run, and hold .. they're all happening because of your senses. So blessed are we! Take a moment or more to appreciate this, today, everyday!  :) 

Day 2/30

You know as well as I do, how much we take this for granted. I am quite guilty when it comes to not appreciating the food on my plate, on those days when it isn't something I am very fond of. Yuck'ing and yack'ing about food is the greatest insult and greatest sign of being an ingrate. Now, I don't, but earlier I did. I would make faces or say Yuck to food I didn't like, but now I'm very aware of what words I use and what a great deal it is to have food on my plate. Ask the hungry people on the street to eat the leafy veggies you rejected, they'll bless you for offering it!

BE GRATEFUL FOR EVERY MORSEL ON YOUR PLATE. EVERY TIME.

Grace Day #1

The not-so-tiny blessings that we so casually forget to be grateful for. The basic necessities for survival. WATER. How bloody blessed are we to be able to just turn the tap on and get access to CLEAN water. Try running for 10 minutes and then not drink water. Those hungover, dehydrated mornings.. Imagine not having access to water, or having to walk miles to fetch water.. water that probably isn't even safe for drinking. AWFUL, no? So, let's pledge to appreciate the fact that we are so damn blessed to be able to drink/buy water whenever we feel like. Therefore, also try not to waste it by taking it for granted. Today, when you drink water, I hope you savor every drop and i hope you do it every time you drink water or use water for any other purpose.

Did you know: Today, nearly 1 billion people in the developing world don't have access to safe drinking water? 

“If there is magic on this planet it is contained in water.” Loren Eiseley 

30 Days..

So if you know me or if you have followed my blog regularly you know I write thank you notes. This is a similar project, but with a tweak! I'm going to make an illustrated series of Thank You Notes this time. For thirty days in a row. It's a challenge I built for myself (to illustrate one note everyday while also working on other projects) but also simultaneously trying to remind you and myself about the blessings we forget to count everyday! Here's hoping WE succeed at doing this together (Me illustrating everyday and US being grateful for all the awesome in our lives). 

“Better to lose count while naming your blessings than to lose your blessings to counting your troubles.” Maltbie D. Babcock (1858–1901) WRITER AND CLERGYMAN” 

Shall we? :)