Thanksgiving. It is that time of the year again to look back and say Danke! Being grateful is hard that I must confess. Being where I was I had snippet of support from those who’d see me either in tears or flight/fight mode. They encouraged me to embrace the concept of thanksgiving. “Be grateful and give praise!” They’d often reminded me. So I went beyond my limits to seek that which I could be grateful for in my life.
This year I practically lost my entire family; chosen and blood. Death at some point seemed peaceful and serene! I eventually fought the thought since I wasn’t sure if this was the ultimate answer to my circumstances. I longed for someone to hold my hand. I needed strength to hold my mom and brothers hand too. Our world was being ripped real fast beneath our feet. What could I possibly be thankful for!
Being 355km away from them, the only two people who seemed to have my back, I was chocking from loneliness. Their voice and forced laughter during our tele-cons my straws of hope to cling on. Something to be thankful for. Why is thanksgiving, being grateful an uphill task?
Learning the concept of gratitude
It is simple … In everything find a reason to give thanks!
I slept with tears every night wetting my pillow: but I woke up the next morning and so I thanked God for my pulse!
I dragged myself to put on clothes that didn’t fit right: but I had clothes, clean warm clothes and so I thanked God for the basic provision of clothes.
I went to work and saw the sign 355km to Ksm: but I still alight at my stop every time! In a sigh I thanked God that I got safely to that bus stop!
Crying my lunch mins out in the toilet or stair way when my best wasn’t good enough at work, I reminded myself I had a job and not many people do. I thanked God for the opportunity to be able to pay my bills!
My gratitude test!
I come home to find a half empty house, but I still had my bed and pillow and so I thanked God for a place to rest my head!
My heart broken, my emotions shuttered my partner-debt engulfing me! I still had my faith, my strength and family. I thanked God for the process and humbly submitted to my expansion.
Loosing my job, my finances depleting and my family in turmoil I found more reason to be strong in pain! I thanked God for the serenity, wisdom and courage to wake up and go look for yet another opportunity.
My mind coming out of shock, my heart starting to heal, my soul starting to find comfort: I thanked God for the gift of mercy and the faithfulness He has shown me.
My requests being fulfilled, my affirmations coming to pass: I thanked God for my intuition.
My ways opening up: New friends coming in: I thanked God for being able to hold their hand as I share my success and lessons with them.
My life still unfolding: my heart learning to forgive, my soul sprouting new leaves of love and fruits of trust: I still thank God for the beautiful restoration process I am on.
Letting your test become your testimony.
Your life hazy: Your thoughts disarray: Thank God for not letting you quit on you!
Your plans not working: Your relationships sinking: hold your chest, close your eyes feel your heart beat and thank God for the gift of pulse.
Your family turning their back on you: Your friends running away from you: Thank God that the best is yet to come since the husks are falling off.
I know it is hard to see it or do it! Strive to be thankful for the ability to shed a tear, because elsewhere someone’s eyes just shut right now for good! When you start being grateful for everything you will realize that no matter how bad, how hard or how humongous your situation or circumstance is there is always always something to be grateful for! Find and talk about the silver lining in your dark cloud.
