As I closed the door and walked away from the building that housed my first real job since graduating college, a feeling of defeat settled over my tired body and weary mind. My body just couldn’t keep up with the stress and demands of working full-time in a school for profoundly disabled students. I told myself that I had failed. Making the choice to quit my job to focus on my health was not easy.
The days that followed did not prove to be any easier. I found myself engulfed in feelings of sadness and sinking deeper into depression with each passing day. My health was poor and despite seeing new doctors, they still couldn’t figure out a way to help my severe daily headaches.
I was a new wife and life certainly didn’t feel like the “dreamy newlywed phase” that everyone kept referring to. My husband was stressed out with his job as a new teacher and with me no longer earning a full-time income, we weren’t quite sure how we would make ends meet. Things were hard. I wasn’t sure what the next right step was for me or what the future would hold.
I was still able to work my part time job as an aide for children with autism, and one day while in the bookstore with the little boy I worked with, I came across a book called One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are.
The title intrigued me. Could it be possible for me to embrace this difficult season of my life and somehow live fully even while things seemed so uncertain?
In the book, the author, Ann Voskamp asks “How do we find joy in the midst of deadlines, debt, drama, and daily duties? What does the Christ-life really look like when your days are gritty, long – and sometimes even dark? How is God even here?” I realized that these were some of the same questions I had been asking myself for a while now. I bought the book and immediately loved it. I ended up finishing it in a few short days.
The book focuses on a challenge that a friend sends to the author, a dare to come up with a list of one thousand things that she’s grateful for. She takes the dare and it ultimately changes her life.
I wondered if the same thing could happen for me. I was doubtful at first, but what did I have to lose? I grabbed an old journal, picked up a pen, and began listing things that I was grateful for in my life.
Horses in the fields near my house
Morning light shining through the blinds
Friends that check in and offer their support
Hot tea and good books
A husband that works hard everyday
I began listing everything I could think of, no matter how big or small. Throughout the day I would pick up my pen and keep going back to the list. And slowly, the list began to change me. I began searching for goodness everywhere. And it started to amaze me how much goodness there truly was in my life when I began consciously seeking it out.
Day by day, as I continued to search for goodness and list more things that I was grateful for, I began to feel my depression lifting. I realized that I was feeling happier and more content than I had in a long time. My health was also improving and I was able to start taking on substitute teaching jobs to supplement our income.
My perspective on life was shifting. Instead of focusing on my pain and all that was lacking in my life, I was focusing on the abundance of blessings all around me. Slowly but surely, gratitude was changing my life.
I know that I talk about practicing gratitude a lot. But that’s because it’s so powerful. It truly did change my life all those years ago when I was in a really dark place. Once I began looking for them, I found so many blessings in everyday things that I once took for granted. Seeking out and writing down all the good things in my life each day is one of the best habits I’ve ever developed. I haven’t stopped my daily gratitude practice since.
Why is gratitude so powerful? Because it focuses the mind on what you actually have rather than what is missing in your life. It is a conscious affirmation of goodness in the world. When you start to look for the good in the simple and seemingly insignificant things in life, it fosters a greater sense of happiness and joy.
Starting a gratitude practice could just change things in your life, as it did for me. I’m not saying that gratitude is a cure-all for depression or that it will make all of your troubles disappear. But it can be an extremely beneficial practice.
Robert A. Emmons, professor of psychology at UC Davis, is a leading expert on the science of gratitude. He says “gratitude is literally one of the few things that can measurably change people’s lives.” Next week, I’ll dive deeper into the benefits of gratitude and discuss ways that you can incorporate gratitude into your own life.
In the meantime, I encourage you to start seeking out the good things in your life. You just might be amazed at how your perspective can change when you start looking for the blessings all around you.
If you want to get started with your own gratitude practice right away, you can subscribe below to get access to my new 5-day Gratitude Challenge, designed to help you find the beauty and goodness in your life.
What are you grateful for today? Let me know in the comments below.
I write down 5 things I am grateful for every morning and night. I have been doing this for the past 2 years and it has CHANGED MY LIFE! My outlook on almost everything has changed from negative to positive and I am a much happier person. I love how you encourage others to take part in the 5-day gratitude challenge! I have a similar post on my blog, http://www.sincerelybl.com
I’m so glad to hear that you’ve had the same positive experience that I have with gratitude. It makes such a difference!
It is amazing how gratitude can solve a lot of emotional and psychological problems. All we have to do is practice gratitude and gratitude journal is a great idea to go about it. This is indeed a great read. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you for reading!
My husband and I sit together every evening and each of us tells the other what made this day a beautiful day, what we are grateful for, what gave us joy, etc. In this way, every day ends up beautiful for us.
That’s wonderful! I love it.
I completely agree! Once you start finding all the things to be grateful for, all the big and small wins in your day, it becomes contagious! You WANT to find the gratefulness in everything. It is one of the single most powerful practices I’ve taken on, and can help pull me out of even the darkest days!
LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!
So glad to hear that 😊
Love everything about this post. Gratitude is SOOO important!
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much! It really can be life-changing.
I’ve certainly gotten out of the habit of writing these things down! I need to pick it up again.
That’s okay, the beautiful thing is that you can easily start again any time!
I loved this article and how you wrote it. Coming up with a thousand things to be grateful for seems difficult, because we’ve been wired to always look at the flaws and issues. But once we get the hang of things, I do think it’ll be easier. Gratitude is really powerful and amazing! Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you so much! Yes coming up with 1,000 things does sound difficult but it’s amazing how many things you’ll start to find that you once took for granted when you start really consciously seeking out the goodness and changing your mindset! It ends up being easier than you might think 😊
A beautiful read as always. You’ve inspired me to start my own gratitude journal!
Thank you so much. I’m so glad to hear that!
Gratitude is the best attitude…we must practise it every day as a family by mentioning one good thing to be grateful for…
That’s a wonderful thing to do with your family!
Yes! Gratitude is so amazing. I am so grateful I found gratitude. And, that may be the corniest thing I’ve ever said. 😉 But seriously, I truly believe that it changes how you see the world when you practice gratitude regularly. I have been intentionally practicing gratitude now for 2 1/2 years consistently and plan to never stop!
I’m so glad that gratitude has been such a positive in your life too and that you’ve kept up your practice for so long. It really is so important.
I really enjoyed reading your reflections, such a great topic, gratitude is so important!
So glad you enjoyed this 😊
This is wonderful! I agree with your whole statement – It is true, gratitude is SO powerful! Especially if you are feeling in a dark place.. it’s important to remind yourself of the blessings in life that has gotten you thus far. I completely feel this post!
Thank you so much for spreading your love!
Thank you! So glad it resonated with you.
I’ve never tried any gratitude practices before but I’m going to start out by trying your 5-day gratitude challenge and the 30 day gratitude thing that I also got off of this blog. The 1,000 things to be grateful for challenge sounds like a good idea too so I’m also thinking about doing that + a gratitude journal as well. I have a lot of problems with seeing the negative stuff in life but never the positive stuff so gratitude will help me with that ! Three things that I’m grateful for right now though are my family back in Maine, my two dogs that have always been like therapy dogs for me and to have a place to live with food, water, and tons of other stuff that really is a blessing to have. Thank you for writing this post, it truly was very lovely!
Thank you! I’m so glad that you’re going to try out the gratitude challenge and possibly start a practice for yourself. Gratitude can help so much with negative emotions. And it sounds like you already have a lot to be thankful for!
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!
Definitely! As someone who went through bear death experience and health setbacks I can attest to the power of gratitude. Thanks for spreading the word.
You are correct, this is so important. I am grateful for my children, my home, and our health. Thanks for sharing!
I so agree with this post! A daily gratitude practice helps rewire our naturally pessimistic brains and trains us to be more appreciative and content over time.
I hate to admit that I get caught up at times with things not going in my favor. I have to understand that sometimes, it’s not the right time or it’s not meant to be. However, I look at al of what I’m able to do, and all that I’ve overcame to be at this point, which is what I’m grateful for ✨🧡
I absolutely agree with practicing gratitude, it is rewarding and fulfilling. Great article!
I am grateful for having come across this post :). Honestly!!! I think I just will start taking count of my blessings for a perspective shift. And I know this is a common thought but I truly like how you’ve written it. Gratitude – here I come.
The start of this blog gave me actual goosebumps…. SO WELL WRITTEN! This piece is beautiful. Gratitude is such an under hyped part of self development that can totally turn your life around. Thank you for writing such a beautiful piece!
Wow this was so great!