Living with Gratitude
How often do you say "thank you"? For anything or for everything? To those around you or in silent prayers?
For me it's never enough. It's not that I'm ungrateful just that I grew up in a way that made me much more focused on all the negative aspects that were wrong and needed to be changed. Which isn't always a bad thing. Seeing negatives can lead to great action and change but more often than not can stain your life with complaints and negativity. You soon lose sight of all the blessings you already have right in front of you.
That was the case for me right up until my divorce. It was hard to see any light or positivity when darkness, despair and negativity were my constant companions. And gratitude? Forget it! There was no way I could find gratitude for anything when I was buried so deeply.
But guess what? Darkness can't last forever. The light will always find a way to shine. Especially when we seek it.
Even though I still have a long way to go on my journey to a life of gratitude I've made it a priority to look beyond the negatives and just be thankful. Why not, right? My life may not be perfect but really, who's is? There are so many blessings in my life to be thankful for everyday. Some may have minor things I don't like about them but they are blessing all the same. And you may be surprised to find that they actually out number those nagging negatives.
Good habits take time, practice, patients, devotion and commitment. Bad ones are easy and just take seconds but can ruin our lives and happiness. Like they say "the best things in life don't come easy".
So today I'm sharing a small list of things I'm most grateful for.
1. My life- It's up, it's down and it's no where near perfect or where I want it to be yet but it's mine and I'm writing it's story. I wake every morning thankful for each breath and every second longer I get to spend on this beautiful planet with the people I love the most.
2. My family, friends and man's best friend- My biggest fans! All the people who stand proudly by my side giving guidance, support and unconditional love. Life with other's is always a challenge but I wouldn't give up a single moment with those I love.
3. Mother nature- In all her awe inspiring magnificence. There are always complications and unexpected surprises when you tangle with mother nature but life without her beauty would be unbearable. Every challenge she offers is a blessing for something greater, a challenge to seek the rewards at the end of the journey and worth every second.
4. Creation- The ability to create is one of my most cherished blessings and I am beyond grateful for it. I'm also grateful for the ability of others to create. Without creation none of us would be here. Without creation many of the inventions we take for granted and enjoy on a daily bases wouldn't exist. Without creation life as we know it would be over.
5. The seemingly mundane stuff- My job: I many hate it most days but it keeps a roof over my head, food in my belly and gas in my tank. My car: She may be expensive but she's my freedom, my escape and my safe-haven. My apartment: Expensive as all get out but a place of my own. My health: it may not be great right now or even in the future but I can see, walk, use my hands and work to keep a roof over head.
6. Light, positivity and love- The world can be a dark, scary and hateful place but it is also full of light and love. Each of us has the ability to spread these things to others, to influence lives and make a positive difference in the world.
7. Visitors, future acquaintances and enemies- Every single person has an effect on us and our lives. There are always rough patches in a life where other's are involved. People don't always see eye to eye. They may come and go in a blink. They may cause us pain, anger, suffering, grief, happiness or just pass by but each can teach valuable lessons, help us grow or change our lives.
8. Trials and tribulations- We all hate these and wish we never had to deal with them. That life would just be simple and easy but it's not. It's complicated and messy. Without challenge we can't grow, we can't reach our full potentials, we can't become what we are meant to be and we can't see the good when we have it. We may not like it but they are necessary pieces of life.
So to each of you, I pray that your life is one full of gratitude and if you are lost in the darkness remember there is always light, seek her out for she's just waiting to be found.
'Til next time,
Misty
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