Gratitude in the Everyday

Meera sat at her desk, her head resting in her hands as she stared at the pile of work in front of her. The never-ending stream of emails, deadlines, and meetings had left her feeling drained. She couldn’t remember the last time she had taken a proper break. Her job, which once felt like an exciting opportunity, now felt like an endless cycle of stress and exhaustion. She often found herself complaining to her friends about how overwhelming it all was.

One evening, after a particularly frustrating day, Meera came home to the sound of her young son, Rohan, shouting with excitement. He had built a massive tower out of blocks and was eager to show her. But Meera was tired—too tired to indulge in his joy. She sighed deeply as she scolded him for making a mess in the living room, telling him to clean it up before dinner.

As she prepared a simple meal in the kitchen, her mind wandered to her cramped apartment. There wasn’t enough space, the walls felt like they were closing in, and she dreamed of moving into a bigger, more comfortable house. The constant noise of the city outside her window only added to her frustration. She longed for peace, quiet, and a life that wasn’t so demanding and chaotic.

That night, after dinner, as Meera sat on the couch, exhausted, she scrolled through her phone mindlessly. She came across a story about a man named Ravi. Ravi had recently lost his job due to company layoffs. For months, he had been searching for work, applying to any position he could find, but without success. The stress had begun to weigh on him—not just financially, but emotionally. His dream of having a stable job, something Meera took for granted every day, had become a distant hope for him.

Ravi’s story made Meera pause. She remembered how excited she had been when she first got her job. It was the opportunity she had always dreamed of—a career in a field she was passionate about, a chance to grow and support her family. But somewhere along the way, she had lost sight of that excitement, letting the daily grind overshadow the gratitude she once felt.

As Meera reflected, another thought crossed her mind—her son, Rohan. She thought of how she had scolded him earlier for playing too loudly and how she had ignored his attempts to share his joy with her. She suddenly remembered her old friend Priya, who had struggled with infertility for years. Priya often confided in Meera about her longing for a child, the heartbreak of each failed attempt, and the emptiness she felt in her home. For Priya, the sound of a child laughing or even crying would be the most beautiful sound in the world, something she had prayed for every day.

Meera glanced at Rohan, who was now quietly drawing at the kitchen table. Her heart softened. She had taken for granted the gift that he was in her life—the mischief, the mess, the boundless energy that came with having a child. It wasn’t a burden; it was a blessing that some people, like Priya, would give anything to experience.

Later, Meera approached Rohan slowly, feeling guilty for scolding him earlier.

Meera knelt down beside Rohan, her voice soft.

Meera:"Rohan?"

Without looking up from his drawing, Rohan responded quietly.

Rohan: "Yes, Mama?"

Meera took a deep breath, trying to find the right words.

Meera: "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Rohan shrugged, still focused on his drawing.

Rohan: "Okay."

Meera paused, her tone gentle and sincere.

Meera: "I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. I wasn’t being fair."

Rohan looked up, a bit surprised, but still uncertain.

Rohan: "But you said I made a mess…"

Meera nodded, acknowledging her earlier frustration.

Meera: "You did, but that wasn’t the real reason I got upset. I was just tired and frustrated, and I took it out on you. That wasn’t right."
(She sighed.)
"I should have listened when you wanted to show me your tower. It looked like a lot of fun, and I should’ve been happy for you."

Rohan glanced down, processing her apology.

Rohan: "You were really mad…"

Meera gently placed her hand on his shoulder.

Meera: "I was. But not at you, not really. Sometimes, Mama gets tired from work and forgets what’s important."
(She smiled softly.)
"And you’re important, Rohan. I love you so much, and I’m proud of you."

Rohan looked up, a small smile beginning to form.

Rohan: "Really?"

Meera nodded, her expression filled with warmth.

Meera: "Really. I love how creative and full of energy you are. I’ll try to do better and be more patient."
(She paused.)
"Now, how about you show me that big tower you built?"

Rohan’s face brightened, his earlier sadness melting away.

Rohan: "It’s still there! Come see, Mama!"

Meera stood up, extending her hand to him.

Meera: "I’d love to."

Hand in hand, they walked toward the living room where Rohan proudly showed off his block tower. Meera watched with admiration, her heart lighter, knowing she had taken a step toward understanding and appreciating her son a little more.

That night, as Meera lay in bed, she thought about all the things she had been taking for granted. She had complained about her small apartment, but there were people who had no roof over their heads, who would be grateful just to have a place to call home. Her modest savings, which she often worried wasn’t enough, was a treasure for someone drowning in debt, struggling to make ends meet. And while her health wasn’t perfect—she had some minor issues that caused discomfort—they were nothing compared to what others faced. She thought of a colleague’s wife who was battling cancer, fighting for every day, for every breath.

Meera realized that while she had been focusing on what she lacked, she had forgotten to appreciate what she already had. Her life, though imperfect, was full of blessings. Every meal she shared with her son, every peaceful night’s sleep in her safe, warm home, was a gift. She had a job that supported her family, a child who filled her days with laughter and love, and a life that was, in many ways, rich beyond measure.

The next morning, Meera woke up with a renewed sense of gratitude. She got ready for work, not with a feeling of dread, but with the knowledge that her job was something many people wished they had. She greeted Rohan with a smile and took a moment to appreciate his energy, knowing that his joy was a reflection of the life they had built together. She looked around her small apartment, not as a cramped space, but as a cozy home filled with memories.

Meera’s perspective had shifted. She now understood that life wasn’t about waiting for things to get better or easier, but about recognizing the beauty and blessings in what she already had. She realized that every day was a gift, and no matter how difficult things seemed, there was always something to be grateful for.

"Is this enough?" she thought, looking around her life with fresh eyes. The answer came quietly, but with certainty: "Yes, it is more than enough."