Gratitude

Gratitude is a pretty broad concept that we often forget to stop and think about.  I think it’s so easy to forget about this important concept as we get so busy, overwhelmed, and caught up in the ever changing, face-paced, chaos of life.  It’s so easy to be drawn more to everything that’s going wrong or is wrong.  However, by doing that, we often forget to think about or even notice all of the things that are actually pretty great and all that we overlook or even sometimes take for granted.  As a wise person once said, “Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful” ~Unknown. 

Trust me, I know that simply “thinking positive” or being grateful can be way easier said than done at times especially when life is particularly rough and you have a lot going on and it feels like all odds are against you, I get it and that is totally normal and absolutely okay!  We all fall into that trap of being naturally drawn to what’s going wrong; it’s just our automatic response.  It took me quite a few years to actually understand the whole concept of gratitude.

If you’re going through something particularly rough right now and are thinking to yourself “how can I possibly be positive or grateful with all of these things going on in my life?”, you are not alone and I hear you.  I’ve been there.  However now, as I look back on the years past and look at where I am now and how far I’ve come, I can confidently say that although I was definitely not at the time, I am so grateful for my hardships as they have gotten me where I am today, taught me many things I may have not learned if I hadn’t had those experiences, and made me realize my passion, my purpose, and what I am meant to do in life which is help others with similar struggles (as you may have read briefly in my last article about bullying).  With that being said, if you’re struggling, don’t give up, don’t lose hope.  You have the power inside of you to get through this and one day, you will look back at these times and realize that they have not only made you SO much stronger than you ever thought possible but also helped you get to where you need to be.  You this as your motivation and inspiration to keep going; you are destined to do amazing things!

Today, I want to challenge you to take five minutes today to just pause, reflect, and write down all of the positive things in your life; whether it’s a thing, a person, anything!  It can be the smallest of things; it doesn’t matter! Whatever feels good to you!  If you truly look at all aspects of your life and take even the smallest things, you may be surprised with how many amazing things you have going on right now despite any hardships you may be facing!  Use that as your fuel, your power to say “I have the power to get through…” Now don’t get me wrong, that’s absolutely not to say that any struggles, other emotions you may be feeling, or anything you may be going through right now are any less and I’m definitely not saying that this will just make all of your worries and struggles disappear; but it just may make your struggles feel just a tad lighter, even if it’s only for those five minutes.  And if you’re having trouble or can’t come up with anything, that is OKAY!  Go easy on yourself. This is not easy by any means!  If the thought of it is just too overwhelming, that’s okay too; do whatever feels good to you, take some time for yourself, do something you enjoy; whatever it is that makes you good.

And remember; if you are need of support, don’t be afraid to reach out.  Text “connect” to 741741 to be connected with a live, trained crisis counselor! 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!
~Compassionately Inspired