How to “find” gratitude even when you don’t feel it
Sometimes you have someone who comes into your life who changes the way you see things.
I have this amazing friend who helped me find a way to remind myself of things I can be grateful for at the most surprising times.
One of those times happened this past week, when I had been feeling a bit overwhelmed and down. When I had be questioning the why’s of this challenging life, and feeling sorry for my kids and myself.
I was cleaning my closet, because purging can be cathartic for me. You know when you get rid of things you no longer use, wear, or need how good it can feel. Let’s be honest, my kids don’t need all my shit to go through one day, so going through it little by little is a win win for everyone.
I was going through the shelf with some old handbags, I must have tossed a bag back over my shoulder and knocked over my sneaker. When I did, something fell out on the carpet from inside the sneaker. When I saw what it was I couldn’t help but smile and say “thank you”
I’m not sure exactly who I was thanking, but I do know that Christie was one of the people I was giving thanks to.
Almost ten years ago Christie and I became friends and she has been a support with the kids from the start. She is one of those people you can have deep conversations with and feel comfortable being exactly who you are when you are with her.
In one of our conversations, she shared a great idea with me, that had such an affect on me, that I took her idea and incorporated it into my own life right away. This little idea is still showing up years later and reminding me that there will ALWAYS be something to be grateful for.
It’s quite simple … go to your local dollar store she said, and get some shiny stones. They come in small little netting bags of maybe ten per bag. Go home and open them up, as many as you want, and one by one put them in different places through your home or where you may want to find them one day. When you come across one, pick it up and remind yourself of something that you are grateful for.
Years ago, when I tried this, I had put them in such random places and forgot about them. Now, this isn’t the first time that I found one, but it definitely was the perfect moment and day for me TO find one.
I sat there on my closet floor and just rubbed my little gem, thinking of so many things that I have to be grateful for. Christie being one.
Gratitude is not always an easy thing to feel, especially when things are not going our way, however, you can BE grateful, even when you don’t FEEL it. Gratitude can help us get through those tough times and make us more resilient to the tough times ahead.
Today I re-hid my gem, knowing that before too long I will forget where I put it, but when I need it most, I’m sure I will come across another one.
So get yourself to the dollar store, and get some of your own gems to hide, because one day that gem that you find in the most unexpected time or place, can make you realize just how much good is among the not so good. 💗
Fear Not 