Counting my blessings

It’s been an amazing year of God’s faithfulness in my life – all throughout each and every month, thru’ the good and tougher times, thru’ the strong and weak moments. I cannot be more thankful enough as 2022 draws to a close.

And the most poignant fact is a stepping out of a previous comfort zone @SSG, to a whole new adventure @DED. Looking back, I must say it has brought me so much more than just work. Thru’ this new chapter, I also learnt many lessons. And Donna, Neha and I were just reflecting on what we have learnt in the last 6 months 2 nights back. For me, it’s recognizing that verse in a deeper way – not by might and strength, but by the power of the HS. It is easy to recite that. But it means so much more when I start to realize I am actually, actually, actually weaker than I thought, and I can become more steadfast and stronger, in Him.

Beautiful night out a few days back, with the ladies at my place – And this is one of the blessings of 2H 2021. :)

And the many more moments, where through learning Arabic, I gained beautiful friendships. So beautiful until we recently made a trip to Liwa desert with Z and J. Experienced nature, experienced sand and more sand, and eating BBM and drinking wine in the desert, chilling and talking. Am so thankful – so thankful that at this stage in my life, in a covid-stricken year, I had the opportunity to see another part of the world.

And remembering some of the fun moments and the must dos - jump shots, swing competitions (and more competitions) - all so fun. The sand is cold in the early morning - and we walked up so many dunes. 

And the beautiful morning sun and that pose - photographer is good. :-D

And also, the eagle-owl, and the salukis. Really lovely to be out in nature. We talked a little about the different landscape. In Maldives, the sea is vast. Here, it is the sand. 

And also, the eating together and exploring new places with them. Haha. So fun. Whether at more atas place, or at local grills, whether it's that random visit to Rihan just to deliver beer and jenga, these folks are so spontaneous and real. Love them. 💗

Atas Project Brunch. So good. But - not enough time to eat everything. :-D And equally enjoyable seafood grill at a local restaurant by the streets. So good!

Another thing I can be so thankful for is that I am able to continue my motto of exercising every non-working day. :) This year, I had kept up with the running routine, and I am glad this continues to gird my life. I am really happy that this year, I did a PB at the 10km ADNOC race. How did that happen – I also dunno. I remember telling a good friend before that I wanted to go under an hour for 10km when I first came. It happened.

And having contributed to a journal article in Science Direct – a part of a the work I did with SSG. That too, came as a Christmas surprise. It is the learning that mattered. And it was also because I felt rather down at Christmas eve, it was almost like a god-sent surprise encouragement to me - that He knows, and cares. 

And of course, experiencing even simple things, and many first times here – more fellowship, enjoying driving more and more, eating so much good home-cooked food, road-bike cycling first time and so enjoying it, first time doing aerial yoga, doing HIIT first time, making friends of different nationalities, that dinner with the EAO team, Maldives and snorkeling,… these all came about in 2H 2021. And these good times – plus the tougher times – are all so much a part of what will shape the next half of my life. I don't think I have had so many 1st experiences in such a short span of half a year. It has just been amazing. 

Friendships - of old, of new. :)

And chasing the morning dawn - the shades of light and hope - have been most memorable and beautiful. 

Tonight, as I count my blessings, I am reminded of what PK preached a couple of weeks back. These 3 key areas – I want to continue to be more thankful daily, be more compassionate, and be more courageous. And to continue to have greater hope for a most amazing 2022.