Gratitude Struggle Bus

Do you ever struggle with gratitude?  I find myself in that space lately.  Gratitude usually comes so easy for me, but lately, I am having a more difficult time.  I know the power of gratitude and the way it can really change your mindset and shift your attitude.

Today I read a quote in Hoda Kotb’s book, This Just Speaks to Me;  Matthew Kahn states, “Life is a beautiful collection of temporary experiences. Treasure your unique collection, and enjoy sharing it with others.”  When I began to think about my own collection, I thought of all of the wonderful postcard moments I have had here in my small town and across the globe.  As I reflected on those moments,  I began to have an overwhelming sense of gratitude for it all.  I realized then, that some days, we may not feel gratitude at all.  We may be experiencing feelings of hopelessness, sadness, anxiety, and fear.  On those days, it is okay to look back and find a previous temporary experience and reflect on that time and the joy it brought.  As we remember and relish that memory, our heartache may get a bit of reprieve…..if only for a moment.  It is in the feeling of gratitude that we start to shift.  We start to feel hope!  We start to lighten the load.

On my tough days, I am going to try this.  I would love to hear if you try it too.  And please connect here in this community and share some of your postcard moments that have made you smile.  Here are some of mine.

• The feeling of the cool wind as I take my bike down that first hill in Cades Cove on a crisp morning.
• The loud laughter of friends over a patio brunch that lasts for hours.
• The “pinch me” moment of seeing Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomph for the first time.
• The mom in Myanmar who tracked my group down on her bike to bring us a Pomelo as a thank you for fitting her child with hearing aids through Hear the World Foundation.
• My Grammy holding my hand in her last hours.
• The sound of birds chirping in the morning.
• Laughing as tears came over a text thread with two close friends.
• The feeling of being transported as I read a favorite book.
• Listening to my niece sing in my living room.
• The rays of sunshine streaming down as I travel a Smoky Mountain road.
• Cooking while singing Kelly Clarkson with a special friend.
• Sitting by the fire at a campsite while sipping a hot cup of coffee.
• The exhilaration of pushing myself in a tough spin class.
• Shopping into the evening in Las Vegas dizzy on champagne toasts.
• Waking up to the Italian countryside.

The beauty of this is that I could go on and on.  It is not lost on me that I have been so blessed in my life to have had so many rich experiences to draw on for gratitude.  But in truth, these are all temporary experiences and so are the difficult times too……all temporary.

Lean in to the positives as often as you can and know that, as tough times comes, they will be temporary.  And you will find yourself on the other side.  Seek moments you can be grateful for in the here and now, but if you struggle, go back and focus on one of your favorite moments from the past.

Gratitude Rocks!!