Silver Linings...

I have written countless posts on the topic of gratitude, but it will forever be a subject that I come back to because the art of attaining a consistent state of gratitude is a daily practice which takes a lifetime to harness. Perhaps I do it to remind myself, perhaps I do it to remind those that read what I write or maybe it is a little bit of both. Either way… Life right now is less than ideal for most of us and circumstantially it has become quite easy to get overwhelmed and lose sight of our true selves – so positive reminders can carry us just that little bit further.

When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully. When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light. When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it. When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway. When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back. When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some. When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going. When times are tough, dare to be tougher. When love hurts you, dare to love again. When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal. When another is lost, dare to help them find the way. When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand. When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile. When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too. When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best. Dare to be the best you can – At all times, Dare to be!” ― Steve Maraboli

I don’t want to get wrapped up in a whirlwind of frustration, despair and desperation and the reality is that no matter what the situation or how bad things may appear to be – there is without question, always something even in that moment that you can take away as a positive – the responsibility lies on you to seek out that silver lining and it is something that you have to do often. The more you do it, the easier it becomes to spot hidden blessings.

I embraced that realisation at a very challenging time in my life, a time far more challenging than my present and I began applying it to everything in my life. I knew then that I had finally grasped the true meaning of gratitude. I am ETERNALLY thankful for that insight! It was as if my soul saw me lying on the floor and gently came and picked me up, embracing me, whispering “you can shine now.” Absolutely everything I looked at was different after that. Negative emotions are only useful to a point. Then you need to let go of them or channel them toward something more constructive.

Those with a grateful mindset tend to see the message in the mess. And even though life may knock them down, the grateful find reasons, if even small ones, to get up.” ― Steve Maraboli

Tomorrow when you wake up and get up, try to REALLY appreciate the details of your life – even the frustrating and somewhat annoying ones. Just be thankful for the fact that you woke up in the first place – no matter what you have to face in your day ahead! Do your utmost to look for the good in EVERYTHING! Stop looking at the negatives! Life in itself is a blessing and it is a journey that should not be squandered. No matter where you stand right now, you can seek out the positive and be thankful for those fragments, no matter how small. Finding the true MEANING, FEELING and EXPERIENCE of gratitude – changed and saved my life and it will do the same for anyone who gives it the chance to.