Gratitude Gratitude

Ahhhhhh.......gratitude. Seems such a simple word, but has the power to transform a seemingly bad situation into something completely different. How does that work , when all you want to do is focus on whatever is causing you pain, heartache, confusion, frustration...etc? First of all, you don't even have to know the why of anything, because it doesn't change the situation, it only drives you crazy that you can't figure it out. That's one word that I've been trained to not ask people is "why".......because most of the time, the person doesn't know why. It's not like asking someone why they're hungry......that's easy. I'm hungry because I didn't eat lunch. Period. But the first thing that will come out of someone's mouth if you ask them why is....."I don't know."



Now with that being said, if something is causing you pain, it changes who you are. It changes your thought pattern, your ability to cope, your ability to sleep, your ability to be around others, and more importantly, it changes your ability to experience peace and happiness in your life. And whether you are physically ill, emotionally ill, suffering from divorce or the loss of a child, or lost your job, the pain can be unbearable. You feel as if you have been left for dead with no way out, and you're convinced there is no way to focus on anything other than the pain.


However, there are ways in which to deal with life's struggles, whether it's something the doctor may prescribe or deciding to go through counseling. There is nothing wrong with either one of those, but I'm suggesting that along with those, you incorporate something that will help you cope while in the midst of your suffering. Gratitude. No matter how bad your situation, there is always room for gratefulness for where you are and what you have in front of you. People most often forget those things by taking them for granted, but when you do that, you close the door for much needed peace when the bad times come, and as much as I hate to say this......they will come.

Have you ever wondered why we all say Oh My God, when faced with something overwhelming? Even those that really have no religious convictions at all will say it. Maybe it's just a habit, or maybe they do believe that in order to get through the problem, they're going to need something bigger than themselves. Well no matter the conviction, much can be said for a large dose of gratitude..... and granted, I know how hard that is to do, for I've been there myself many times, especially dealing with an illness. You want more than anything to drive down the road and dump your situation out the window going 90. For some reason that implies a sense of being completely and utterly fed up with whatever you're dealing with, and for the most part, it works. However, once you feel that relief, whatever the remedy may have been, take note in being grateful. Grateful for the relief in pain, grateful for a doctor that may have helped you, grateful for a friend that may have been there to listen, and if you can allow yourself......be Grateful to God.

Gratitude is the prescription for pain, heartache, frustration, sadness, and loneliness. It will help melt those things into something more manageable.