Gratitude

I’m not perplexed by people who give up; I understand the anguish and pain of not getting your way. When the odds seem stacked against you, everything feels impossible.

Fortunately, that’s all it is, a feeling. Just because you feel some sort of way doesn’t mean it’s true. I get it, your life may seem terrible, but there is always something to be thankful for.

Being grateful is easier said than done, I know. There are moments when the world is crushing you from every direction. Your eyes dart from side to side to spy a vantage point to slip away, but none are in sight. In the moments when everything about your life appears unpleasant, how do you find something to be grateful for?

Sometimes you need to reflect on your story in the future tense. Sure, maybe you can’t see anything good about your life right now, but put yourself in the shoes of the person you are going to become.

This future-you will look back on this time with fond eyes, because it showed you how strong you can be. It revealed abilities you never knew you had, and opened the doorway to dreams you’ve yet to dream.

When I was going through chemotherapy, I experienced immeasurable pain. It often felt like I was being burned alive by a roaring chemical fire under my skin, my bones ached, and when I moved, my muscles felt like they were soaked in super glue.

I made it through these moments by giving purpose to the pain. Each second, I reminded myself that the agony of the now wouldn’t last forever, and that soon I could use my experience to help others who were suffering.

In every hardship, we have an opportunity to learn how to help someone else. It must be to help someone else, and not yourself. In a world where we are constantly propagandized to focus inwardly, the wisdom we gain must be used in the service of others. This grants purpose to the pain.

Suffering ends when we give purpose to the pain. Sure, the discomfort might not be completely washed away, but it will reduce the anxiety and stress that envelops it. Anxiety and stress magnify our perception of pain, so when those feelings are reduced, it reduces our pain.

When I look back at my time during chemotherapy and the excruciating years to follow, I am thankful for every harrowing moment I faced. While I do not want to repeat those experiences, each hardship strengthened my resolve, resulting in my grit and perseverance to stand tall and strong.

As you look at your life, you might only see failure and grief, but when I look at you, I see someone who has overcome everything you have ever faced. Nothing has stood in your way and allowed you to fall into the grave. You are more powerful than you know, and while others may not say it to you, they are inspired by you.

How you respond in the moment will determine how you respond in the future. Search inwardly, feel the Spirit in your heart, and have the faith to know that everything is going to be okay. This is hope, and with hope, you will always have gratitude.

When you have hope, you can be thankful for the blessings of the past and the ones that will find you in the future.

I have faith that you will rise above the pain of today and soar through life like a phoenix in the sky. You will find a reserve within yourself that you never knew existed, and the strength you exhibit today will be all the inspiration you need to stand tall and strong in future days.

If you need a guide to help remind you how powerful faith can be, someone who can teach you about your pain and remind you that life is bright and delightful, reach out to me. I know how it feels to be stuck in a trap of misery, and how to escape it. Let me serve as your lighthouse at the edge of the sea, so I can help you find your way out of the storm.