Gratitude Journey

I wake up to a beautiful sunrise in my city. Not many boast of it in several parts of the world. They crave for sunshine because it comes like a disinterested guest once in a while. It does not even mean I have it all because while I have a lot of sunshine where I live; I am simply jealous looking at the winter wonderland pictures that my friends from another side of the world post. I am reminded gently that I cannot have it all.

Throughout the day, I have the opportunity to pursue the kind of work and hobbies I love. Do I have it easy and convenient then? Not at all. Each day, there are new challenges to be faced; there are complex problems that need to be resolved; new people I meet who are so much better than I in many aspects. Yet I know deep within, that I have access to abundance of opportunities to further beautify my own life. I should only look for ways and not sit back.

Every night, I go back home to a hot meal and a loving family who are my strength and my support system. No matter what my day or life has been like, they are a beacon of light to forge ahead with increased inspiration. Even as I write this, I vividly remember the father-daughter duo that lost their lives while trying to immigrate to a better land with better opportunities because the place where they live is devoid of any hope. I see and read about families who are separated and forever forbidden to be together since the war crisis has taken precedence over everything else. Peace to me is a daily gift and for millions it may only remain a myth.

I could complain about climate issues, bad governments, an unjust society, and dangerous miscreants all around. I could sob that it is so bad out there.

Will the loudest complaint work or an indomitable will to stand up for change do the trick?

In a rat-rice like life, I assumed gratitude is for the old and the fragile. Until I spent a month feeling consciously thankful for everything I have. A family friend shared this secret to me during a thanksgiving dinner I was invited to be a part of. The host encouraged us to think of anecdotes to be thankful for and shared her own tales of joy over the years. The exercise although seemed quite simple on the outside had a terrific impact from within.

It has to be admitted that feeling consciously thankful was not the easiest thing to do. However, not only did it make me happier but also stronger. I attracted the kind of strength I will need to fight for a better society and a promising posterity.

Cultivating gratitude never makes you weak, naïve or lack ambition. It is indeed a powerful feeling meant to sincerely acknowledge what one possesses and be ready to work towards what one may want to create for themselves. For me, practicing gratitude is now a way of life and not a hard choice to make. Incorporation of gratitude gives me a new story to tell every day.