Examination of Gratitude

This past year has been filled with events which have left me focusing on lack, loss and limitation in my life. The more I stay in this focus, the more I am paralyzed towards being able to change the situation. It helps to volunteer, work on projects which helps but without the attitude of gratitude the focus still remains that which is not within my life. Replacing those feelings that by finding things which I can be grateful for in my life. Focusing on those items which I can be grateful shifts my thinking. Rather than looking at the lack loss and limitation I am reminded of what is right in my life.

Last year I lost my mom in an unexpected and long illness (early in January she went to the emergency room). From January to the end of July she only spoke a couple simple words, most the time she was in a coma of sorts. I lost my job which I thought was secure. I found myself looking for employment in the middle of an economic storm. My father had severe nosebleeds and life seemingly looked very bleak! I was grateful that even though I was unemployed I was able to spend more time trying to reach my mother by reading books, singing to her and talking to her about the day. She would smile occasionally and squeeze my hand so I felt it was helping. I was also grateful that this unemployment would finally mean that I could look for an employer or build an income and not feel like I was compromising my beliefs or values. I also found that it gave me the opportunity to investigate other industries. I am grateful and thankful that I can work on finishing my degree.

While the year has been filled with major transitions, I have also had opportunities that were not available to me while I was work a 9 to 5 (or in my case a 6 to 3). My work week is actually busier (no pay) while looking for employment or income than it was at the peak in my previous job. Although this increases the stress levels from time to time, I am grateful that it is forcing me to tackle the important items, do things now and is forcing me to adapt new time management skills. The sales training has allowed me to see a new view of myself. I am so grateful and thankful for this opportunity and the opportunity to work on the changes to help work on the areas of my life that need more work. A sale of any type opens your soul for others to see.

Being in this frame of mind and attitude, the thought process is geared towards a more beneficial outlook on life, it helps us not to stay the center of focus while working on ways to become a better person, increase our knowledge in specific areas or assisting others to reach the next level.