Living with Gratitude

A lot has happened in one month. If I can gauge of what's to come by the way January has shaped up, 2016 will be a roller coaster - of emotions, opportunities and challenges. But I am grateful for it all, and that one step towards appreciation and thankfulness will help me grow.

I've been keeping a gratitude journal for the last year and a half, giving thanks for the simple pleasures of life, but at times one feels the need to share, especially when you want to let someone know how grateful you are for being in their lives.

Exploring Amsterdam on Foot #TravelDiaries #blogchatter

Putting our best foot forward in 2016, we landed in Amsterdam on a wet windy Saturday morning. It was a breezy commute from the airport to the Amsterdam Central station but who knew the 10 minutes walk from there to our houseboat would have us soaking wet! We reached Hotelboot Angeline in that haggard state, might we add hungry too, and were immediately put at ease as Daniel, our host, welcomed us in warmly to the cozy houseboat.

Staying in a houseboat in Amsterdam is an experience in itself. You can get an insight into the Dutch way of living and soak in the charming atmosphere around. Some may question this choice of accommodation, especially in winters, but let me tell you, I had the best sleep in ages on this houseboat's comfortable and snugly beds. And 24*7 hot water and heating, free Wi-Fi and a scrumptious spread of breakfast enough to keep us fuelled till late noon, made this a perfect choice for our stay. 

#SaturdayWordplay 14 - Penumbra

The leaves rustle as she turns to lie on her back, the barren trees glaring at her from above, almost threateningly. She brushes aside a strand of hair from her face, closes her eyes and breathes deeply.

Why did he have to leave me like that? Was it something that I did? The questions haunt her.

She enters a room, the darkness of it making her alert. She stands erect, holds her breath and tries to listen. Not a sound.

Where am I?

The subconscious then speaks, through her, to her, directly. She is drawn to the opaque voice, follows it as it enters another door. A room filled with memories, this one. Memories and pain that she had suppressed for so long. The grime floats around her, mockingly, hard to ignore.

Don't you remember? A voice booms.

No. It isn't true. I loved him. I was happy with him.

The voice grows louder.

A New Dawn

#FotoFriday prompt by Anindya

Humans. Such strange species. I see thousands of them passing by this temple every single day, their hands join and eyes close for a brief second before a tiny beep from their phones suck them back into their world. Always rushing, their minds churning countless thoughts per nano second - of which only very few matter and most forgotten, lost in the rush.