Gratitude in Hard Times

Gratitude, genuinely

Let’s talk about gratitude and not in the new age spray perfume on shit and hope it smells better way, but in a real genuine way.

Even when your bank account is at zero, you don’t have a roof over your head, it’s unclear where you’ll be living next, and you have no family or friends around, there is still something to be grateful for.

Maybe it’s your functioning body.

Maybe it’s the sunshine.

Maybe it’s running water.

Maybe it’s a homeless shelter.

Maybe it’s a phone call with a friend.

Maybe it’s the food a stranger offers because they see you’re hungry and heartbroken.

Maybe it’s the fact you’re still breathing.

Focusing on any and all of the things that are caring for you, giving to you, and holding you in some way will bring more of that care and support to you.

Then one day you’ll wake up and your life will be a completely different one.

I’m not saying it’s easy

I’m not saying your mind won’t rain down on you with all the ways you’ve destroyed your life.

I’m not saying you won’t feel down, but as Les brown says, “if you can look up, you can get it up.”

Keep taking one step at a time.

That’s all any of us can do.

I believe in you and your ability to ask for help, to take a step toward what will sustain you, to reach out beyond the loneliness and to not give up on yourself.

We need you.

Love always,

Danielle Mallett