Grateful, thankful, blessed

It’s easy to get a little lost.

Maybe it has less to do with the sudden fumbling of physical directions (though I’ll admit to that, too) and more of a gradual process of distance; each day you’re pulled a little bit farther from your core in small doses, until you wake up one day and realize how far you’ve wandered.

In less vague language: sometimes you wake up and realize that you hardly recognize yourself. I’ve seen this as life happens and subsequently the small details begin to take up the big spaces. They dominate thoughts and moods and attitudes and suddenly our lives are centered on the details of our monotonous job, sleeping habits, traffic woes, stringing together complaints until it’s the only language we know.

I think that part of finding your way back involves digging deep to find the root of your why—the foundation that allows you to flourish. The big picture is the map home.

Big Picture

My big picture, my why, is held together by threads of gratitude. I think we all are like that, to an extent: if we take time to appreciate the good stuff, we’re reminded what matters most.

Here are the things that matter most, that bring me home, that keep me rooted:

• My family
• The health of my body and mind (this is especially relevant post-Covid)
• The skills I possess and use daily: creativity, determination, tact, adaptability
• My forever friends
• Adventure, newness, change
• An opportunity to live

Rooted back home

I hope that by focusing a little more on the things that matter most—and reframing my thoughts with gratitude—I won’t be straying as often. If I try to focus on the truly good rather than dwell on the so-so, I’ll have more room to prosper as my authentic self.

I’m lucky, blessed, and thankful. I have so many things to be grateful for, from a fun and loving support system to a great self reliance. I need to remember and appreciate the things that add the most joy and comfort to my life; I think most people forget a little and could benefit from some reminders too.

Above all else, I’m grateful for another day to keep going, to live and breathe and seize each and every moment.