I often find myself overwhelmed with gratitude. It is such a huge feeling that it’s hard to express. I am faced with death and dying every day at my job. Suffering, sudden disability, grieving. I see so many people without a support system. I’ve seen people that die completely alone. I see lives completely changed in minutes. One day living their life like normal with their jobs and families, then suddenly lying in a hospital bed, unable to walk, talk, eat, possibly ever again. I see what this does to families.

I’m always curious, what goes through their minds in their last days of life? Are they at peace? Do they have any regrets? Are there things they wished they had said or done? Given another chance, would they live differently?

Maybe that makes me more appreciative of the little things I have? Maybe we should all “live like we’re dying.” Because in a way, we all are, from the moment we’re born. Say the things on your mind. Do the things you’ve been wanting to do. Gratitude. Always find something to be grateful for.

 Why do some people struggle through every day, hanging on for a will to live.  Angry, sad, feeling overwhelmed like there’s no end in sight. Struggling. Some have everything in front of their face, that any regular person would think are the ingredients for happiness, yet can’t feel those feelings. They see them with their eyes, and brains, and know how they should feel, yet can’t, and it makes them even more sad when realizing it. 

So why does one person so easily feel gratitude and happiness in the simple everyday things, and another numb to it all. Is it our upbringing? Genetics? Life choices? Sometimes our chemical make-up is different. Sometimes we have baggage we carry with us through life that makes our perspectives shift a little bit. Bad things happen, we lose trust in the world, been burned too many times. Sometimes we’re just going through a tough situation. Two people can be on the same ride, and see the exact same landscape, yet have two totally different interpretations.

We are all different.

We are all different. 

I’m not rainbows and sunshine every day and in every moment either. I am a human, and incredibly imperfect. I have grumpy days, and days I feel numb to all feelings, and days I don’t feel like interacting with anyone, including my own children. Some days I just want to be left alone and have quiet solitude with time to think and relax. I have moments where I have not one ounce of confidence in myself. Second guessing everything. Yet, most days, at the end of the day I am able to count my blessings, and appreciate the beauty and the little things in my life. 

I try to practice gratitude every day. The more you try to do it, the easier it will be to see the good things. Once you start noticing more, it’s easier to start doing more. Make eye contact and smile when passing someone in the hall. Thank people for the simple things, even if they’re just doing their job. It’s nice to show appreciation. Maybe you will be the only person to thank them that day. Who knows? Let’s try to spread joy and unexpected kindness when we’re able to. Make it real and genuine though, not cheesy nice. Some days are rough, and maybe the only kind thing you can muster for that day is to simply remain quiet and keep your negative thoughts to yourself, then that is good enough.

I try to focus on whatever positivity I can. I try to look at the negatives as challenges to overcome, not giant roadblocks. I try not to vent negative energy to everyone around me. When I do need to vent, I choose carefully what I say and to whom. Sometimes I find an outlet in journaling, where I can let it all out, but no one has to hear about it. After writing, I can usually find some clarity in whatever it was I was struggling with.

It’s being appreciative for having a body that can walk around, having muscles that lets you lift up your child, and a fully functioning brain that allows you to talk and interact with people. It’s being able to eat and go to the bathroom normally. It may be strange for you to think about but these things should not be taken for granted. These are just examples of how to find gratitude in the everyday.

If you are reading this, I challenge you to find something you are grateful for each day. Even something tiny. As time goes on, you can build upon that and easily find gratitude in every situation you’re faced with, even if it’s a crappy situation, but you were able to learn a lesson, or gain strength through your hardship.

I’m curious… how do you practice gratitude?

I would love for you to leave me a comment (at the top) and let me know your thoughts. Let’s form a community of connecting and lifting each other up!

Peace and Love, Leah