Finding a moment of gratitude

With so much negative going on in the world around us, it is easy to feel discouraged and frustrated. While these little reminders will not really fix the world, I hope they provide renewed energy to keep powering on, fighting for what you want and remembering what you truly need. 

Why the sudden moment of perspective?

It can be difficult to find time or space in our minds to remember that generally speaking, as persons living in Canada with four walls, a roof, a warm place to sleep, friends and family to fight with and to surround ourselves with in times of need, we are in fact blessed.

A few years ago I was riding a GO Train to work, about an hour and a half each way. The job I loved, the people I worked with I loved, with the exception of a newly appointed Director. I was beginning to feel as though the decade plus of work I’d put in to where I was in my career was being undervalued. I felt as though no matter what I did or had done, my work was being seen as not enough, when at the same time the person directing me was in fact not doing what our team felt should be done for their job. Frustration, anger, a bit of depression, and just general ugh settled over me. A few months of this and I finally noticed it was affecting me and those around me, on my work team and at home.

In college I learned about meditation, stopping negative thinking, and the power of a mantra. I decided, more than 10 years after graduating, to put this skill to work. I began each morning on my train ride by repeating my mantra to myself, sometimes in my head, and sometimes quietly.

“I am healthy, I am strong, I am joyful, I am blessed.”

Doesn’t seem like a big thing does it? While I say these words I try to also feel them. When thinking of being joyful I smile, think about my co-workers I love, my clients I love, the actual job that I was so blessed to have and continue to do. This small mantra had a big impact on my mental state, and the positive attitude that I was able to continue to carry with me at work.

We can only control so many things, we can try to change or influence, but really there is so much we just need to learn to adapt to. Sometimes that means adapting our minds to be able to put it all into perspective. With that, I give you a few moments of perspective and gratitude from my own life, I hope you can relate and share them with others who may also need a moment to smile and say, yes we are blessed.