As We Close the Chapter on 2024, Its time to pause and reflect on the journey we have taken. Every Year brings its share of Challenges, Truimphs, Lessons and Moments of Joy. Through it all, Gratitude has the power to shape our perspective, turning even the smallest moments into meaningful memories.
This Journal is a space to look back on the experiences that defined the past year- the people who supported us, the growth we achieved, and the unexpected blessings along the way. Whether 2024 was a year of transformation, perseverence, or quiet victories, there is always something to be grateful for.
As I write these final reflections, I take a deep breath and appreciate how far I have come. Let the lessons of 2024 guide us into the future, reminding us that every moment-good or bad has contributed in someway to this Life Journey.
Heres to the gratitude we carry forward into the new year with my gratitude journal for 2024!
- Certifications like SEBI Investor, Project Manager(IBM). Practically I am a homebody. I love to go out and work but some family issues refrain me from doing it. My dream is to build a international business. People in my own family started criticizing me for doing nothing and being idle? So to fill those voids I took out to the Internet. I saw an Instagram Reel that SEBI is offering Certification for passing an online Exam called “SEBI Investor”. It was all about managing and growing your finance in India. I registered for the exam, downloaded the study material to my phone. I took time to prepare it. And God willing after lots of hard work, I cleared the exam of scoring 46 out of 50. I got my certificate 3 days later. I also managed to complete a professional certificate in Project Management from IBM. These two learning opportunities have taughrt me and helped me grow in my role as an entrepreneur. Grateful!
- Internships with TATA and HSBC – Again with the help of job Influencer’s in Instagram, I came across a internship opportunity with great companies like TATA and HSBC for the roles of Data analyst and Commercial Banker respectively. I had a hard time working on the Data Analyst role since I was new to the software Tabaleau. I performed at a average level but I managed to get the certification. With HSBC, I enjoyed the experience of Commercial Banker. I enjoyed working on the banking projects given in the website. It allowed me to see ow banking process works on a global level. This time I scored well and also got certified. Personally I am thankful to Social Media Influencer’s who give a big shoutout to online opportunities like these to career aspirants like me through reels, posts and videos.
- Photography Course with Skill India from Ace Photographer Dabboo Ratnani. We had planned a trip to Dubai and I wanted to get catchy images and photographs of the trip of me and the family. Unfortunately I was not a skilled photographer. So I just googled online photography courses and found this amazing course offered by Skill India on Photography Course taught by one of the top photographers in the Country Dabboo Ratnani. Personally I have been a fan of him seeing all his work in magazines like Filmfare and Vogue. I didnt imagine in my wildest dreams to get guidance and lessons from him on photography and through a Government owned institute like Skill India at a nominal fee. I enjoyed the course thoroughly. I learned so many wonderful things about photography like its type(food, nature,architecture,etc), angles, different types of photo shoots( say modelling, filmy, travel), cameras, different lenses. It was surreal. Till today I owe my skills in this craft to this course. I absolutely recommend this course to anybody who wants to excel and learn the skill. I also got certified. Grateful and Thankful!
- Trip to Dubai with Mom and Dad – Travelling is a wonderful therapy. Just like anyone, want to cover vital countries around the world like Europe, USA, Japan, African Countries and Dubai. This year Mom and Dad suggested that we go to Dubai on a Vacation. I was in high spirits. We faced some difficulties getting ajusted to the hotel and the tour group. But as time flew, we began to enjoy the vacation. We covered so many spots like the Museum of Future, Miracle Gardens, Desert Safari, Mosque Visits, Shopping, Burj Al Khalifa, Cruise Dinners. Though my slippers beat my legs hard, and I had a few nightmares on this wondering if I would be able to complete the tour of 5 days, I had an adventure of lifetime. Every night I used to come back to my room with swollen legs only to get hot water therapy and Pain killers massaged by my mom in the nights. I managed to get some relief within some hours. But then the following day we were back again with the group walking and seeing places only to bring back the pain in my legs. And I walked with only socks on my feet the last two days. It was only then my freet started feeling better. I was so relieved when we finished with the tour and were off to the airport back home. But I had ticked off one country in my travel checklist. back home, we travelled through Emirates and I listened to my favorite music by Ed Shehreen and Taylor Swift, had the best Dinner. Thankful and Grateful!
- Opportunity to lend a helping hand to Missionaries of Charity. I was thrilled to have got the opportunity to sped my birthday of 2024 with the residents of Missionaries Of Charity, Madurai.(Founded and Run by Mother Teresa). I celebrated my birthday a day earlier on 25th february since the MOC had already accomodated someone on the actual day. The sisters were warm and kind. They greeted me with so much affection. We went to the Dining area and the residents (all women mentally retarded and abandoned by thier families). All of them prayed for my well-being, wished me a very happy birthday. I distributed food to some of them. We passed on to three different blocks. And the sisters blessed me, wished me good luck on my life endeavours. One of the residents gave me a samll bouquet of flowers. I enjoyed the three hours there. I also managed to get some photographs clicked in my phone. I left the place with a heavy heart promising myself that I will return again next year. Must say It was a clean, beautiful and calm convent inside. Grateful Lord! UNICEF – I also pledged and started donating a small fee towards UNICEF India. And as a appreciation, they mailed me a beautiful certificate. This did add some value to my character as a person.
- On being able to fundraise for CRY being a volunteer. I also got an opportunity to work as a volunteer for another childrens Charity which is doing a wonderful work in thier upliftment. We get volunteering opportunities like fundraising, taking online classes, working for them, managing health camps and more. I raised some funds for thier welfard at Ketto, a online crowdfunding platform as thier volunteer. My friends and family too willingly donated to show thier support for my work. I also got the Second Prize as a Super Star Volunteer among the Team for this Fundraising Project. That made my day. Grateful!
- To Donate some paintings of mine to Blue Cross, India. I am a budding artist and I have done a lot of good art work based on abstract and feminine forms. As a part of contributing to charity, I also gave away three hard worked paintings to Blue Cross in India. They were so thankful for this donation. They would auction it and use the proceedings to the well being of animals. Grateful
- Pledged to Donate my Eyes duing Birthday. As my birthday came closer, I saw a ad encouraging peple to donate thier eyes after their death. And it stated that we can do it by filling and subitting a form online. After some thought I filled and submitted the form, stating that my father was the nominee to be contacted. Grateful!
- I got to expand my hobbies to writing poems, learning a new language, creating memes, exploring photography, creating reels. This year has been amazingly kind to me in terms of growing my hobbies. I leared a new language(Hindi) with the help of an App(Duolingo). I have enhanced my photography skills, managed to collect good amount of content in all generes. Adding to it I have created lots of reels documenting my life, skills and travels in a video format. I have also created fsome funny memes with the help of meme creating apps after lending lots of hard work and thinking. Baking also took shape. I managed to bake some famous dishes like Apple Pie, Apple Crumble Cake, Hazelnut Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Zingie Parcels(Dominos). I am even planning to open a small home based baking business. Thankful and Grateful!
- Foret about the famous trains around the world. In India, The Vande Bharat Train Series is gaining very high popularity among its citizens. Vande Bharat travels at a very high speed with good hospitality, food and entertainment. I got to travel through Vande Bharat, the newly launced from Madurai to Chennai. And it was an amazing experience. We were happy to experience the hospitality in the train. I got to try their free Wifi, newspapers, Soup, Icecreams, Sandwiches and meals during the journey, The Train was fully air conditioned with modern amenities. We reached our destination within 7 hours of journey which usually takes 10 to 12 hours. I do suggest that anybody in India try travelling through this train. It operates at all vital parts of the country. I ticked something in my bucket list. The journey was memorable
As 2024 comes to a close, I reflect on the moments, lessons and blessings that have shaped this year. Through challenges and truimphs, gratitude has been my anchor, reminding me of the beauty in everyday life. Each entry in this journal has been a testament to growth, love and resilience.
As I step into the new year, I carry forward this habit of appreciation, knowing that gratitude transforms even the simplest moments into something extraordinary. heres to a heart full of thankfulness and a future filled with endless possibilities
