Anxiety Journal 2 - Moments Of Grace

Today's journaling prompt asks me to write about something or someone who made my day better.

I thought over this a long time. There have been many instances of serendipity that have pleasantly surprised me and have changed the course of my day. It is difficult to write about just one. I am writing about those events which came to my mind immediately upon reading the prompt.

There used to be a flower-vendor from whom I regularly purchased flowers. She had a strong personality and the contrast between her personality and her business often amused me. She used to sell button-roses of different hues. Once I brought some of these, paid her and was about to leave when she called me back and handed me a beautiful rose. When I looked at her in confusion, she told me that the rose was for me and that I should pin it to my hair. This impromptu gesture by her stayed with me for a long time. 

Another time, I had ordered a book online and by a wonderful twist of tale, it arrived on my birthday, one day earlier than the scheduled delivery. As an avid reader and a bibliophile, I cannot express in enough words what it means to receive a book as an unexpected gift on birthdays. I had shifted to a new city and it was my first birthday there. I was feeling nostalgic and melancholic when the bell of my home rang and I opened the door. I can still visualize the expression on the delivery-guy's face when I almost shouted with happiness on seeing him hand me a package that was without doubt a book. Needless to say, he couldn't wait to leave. That the book was of my favourite writer/physicist Stephen Hawking, only made the moment unforgettable.

And then there was the beautiful day when I along with my husband went to a book fair and I brought some really awesome books. Surrounded by books and readers, I could not help feel blissful. At that moment of time, everything was all right with the world. I remember that while returning home in an auto, I could see a magnificent sunset painting the sky in the hues of bright red and orange. As the auto zoomed past the old buildings of the city, with the setting sun serving as a surreal background, I could not help feel as if I had been transported to a different time and place. 

Looking back now, I can see that those moments have brought utmost happiness wherein I could perceive the benevolent grace of the Universe and feel a deep sense of gratitude towards life. I remember a quote said by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, that when we receive something good without any efforts, we should consider that as the grace of the Divine. I am grateful to have had such wonderful moments in my life. 

This brings in another realization that happiness can be found when we recognize that we have just been blessed with the grace of the Universe. It could be some simple event like going on an outing, or it could be something grand as a wedding or some other life-event, but when we look beyond the event and focus on how it came to be, we realize that it was the Universe's work that led to this point in life. 

Life will give enough reasons to be grateful for, if and when we perceive everything around us with humility. The belief that we are entitled to something is one of the major factors contributing to dissatisfaction. A humble mindset that life owes us nothing, and that we are here to serve and not to 'get' anything, destroys the cravings of the mind and brings in immense peace. 

I would love to hear from you about those events or people who changed your day for the better! Do let me know if this blog helped you in any way. Practice gratitude, stay humble and receive the Universe's grace in abundance!