Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life – Rumi

As schools reopen and classes begin, I find myself reflecting all that’s changed over the last 18 months. I know I have become more aware of the tenuousness of life and all that I took for granted. This has meant some self-reflection and drawing of lessons. However, my decision to be more deliberate, present and grateful has like many a new year resolution wavered. Recently when my spouse restored a nearly decade-old hard drive I was surprised to find a treasure trove of pictures and videos. One of the videos was of a song that was set to tune by my late teacher Seethalakshmi Venkatesan and I was accompanied by another teacher Mrs. Lalgudi R. Rajalakshmi. It brought home the message that even in the good times when I thought I was doing well in my chosen profession as a musician, my successes however small or large were really the result of my teachers’ (music gurus) unending encouragement and support. #gratitude