Finding Gratitude in the Unwanted

It’s easy to be grateful for the things we want to have or experience in our lives. We find apparent value in what makes us happy, feel good and fulfilled. You know, the uncomplicated things that flow with grace and ease. But what about the experiences we look back on that at the time seemed like the worst possible thing that could happen and later found out that it brought many things to be grateful for? Often times we wait for the situation to pass to find the gifts it has to offer. What if gratitude while in the experience helps us move through it in a more peaceful way?

I’m learning to be grateful while I’m in the unwanted experiences of my life. Even though it can be difficult I find that there’s always something to be grateful for and putting my focus there keeps me from being stuck in the experience. Getting stuck in an experience keeps us from growing and changing even though the situation is sure to change. “This too shall pass” – that’s what my mom always said, and she was right.

Choosing gratitude in trying times can shift our awareness from struggle to possibilities. The situation may not change right away but we’re able to move through it with focus on the gifts it brings. Having gratitude doesn’t mean that we like what we’re going through it simply means we choose to look at another part of the situation. Gratitude can lead us to finding peace in a time when our situation looks anything but peaceful.

Choosing gratitude doesn’t mean we’re ignoring a difficult situation. There are many situations that we have no control over.  Believe me, I’m in the middle of one of those right now. I’m finding my way through it by finding gratitude for the strength, compassion, support, and love I’m experiencing and for Divine wisdom in all things.

Living in gratitude brings us more to be grateful for. What we look for we will see more of. My husband inspires me every day. He finds gratitude in so many things that I can take for granted. He sits outside for his favorite time of night, just before the color gives way to darkness and takes a picture of the sunset every evening. Gratitude is being focused on what we have instead of what we don’t have and being where we are instead of where we want to be.

I ask myself these questions to find gratitude in a difficult situation so I can move through it while growing because of it. Maybe it will help you find gratitude in places you didn’t know to look.

• What can this teach me right now in this moment?
• What are the possibilities?
• What would change if I brought Love to the situation?
• What can I find to be grateful for?

When we change the world changes.

When we change the world changes.