Let's give 2020 a ROUSING ROUND OF APPLAUSE! She's been a relentless spicy thorn in the ass of the universe, no? I personally avoid television, the "news" and all the commercials by any means necessary. Ignorance is bliss, or as I like to refer to it, soul care. Let's skip the summation of the fuckery that we've sustained collectively so far this year. Salt on a open wound, not so much. Now salt on my lime with a tequila chaser, sign me up!
With thirty days to go, I've realized I've only scratched the surface of what I wanted to accomplish at the beginning of this year. Don't worry, this is not a 'woe is me' type of post today. In spite of, because of, due to (whichever prepositional phrase one prefers- R.I.P Mrs. Davenport) I am grateful for this hemorrhoid of a year. You heard right, or read correctly...I've got gratitude in my attitude.
Overused, underappreciated, misunderstood, humbling gratitude.
According to some search, gratitude is classified as a noun. What is a noun? A noun is a part of speech that describes a person, place, or thing (c/o '98, thanks Davenport).
Disclaimer: because this is still 2020, and people like to get trigger happy with the fact checking, I didn't ask you nor do I care how accurate my definition is. So save yourself the time and energy. Also, before you respond/comment to something you read on the internet, think about the voice of the piece and what the intended message is, ok? Thanks.
Now back to the wormhole that is the English language and focus on gratitude.
Gratitude is a thing, yes. However gratitude is a thing that requires action, which is typically a verb. As in active participation. A constant choice. Some refer to it as finding the silver lining, I refer to it as the purpose or lesson. What can I take away from this experience? While we may not initially understand the why, we must learn to embrace the divine timing of the universe. Everything you have experience thus far has lead you to this very moment. The why, the who, the what you are right now. Let that marinate.
I used the broad spectrum of 2020 because the entire literal world can relate to the dumpster fire. In the midst of the chaos, do you add fuel to the fire, or find a water source? Are you a bystander or an active participant in making a difference?
I began my gratitude practice 5 years ago during a challenge at my gym. It started with 3 things a day. That's it. Just write down three things everyday that you are grateful for. Simple enough, right? That challenge turned into a necessity for my soul. It literally shifted my life in every way possible for the better. From three elementary begrudged sentences, to pages and journals, now a blog broadcasting all the gratitude in my attitude.
I say all this to say that even in the toughest of times where we don't always understand "WHY ME?!" has ultimately shaped you into the beautiful soul you are. Growing, learning and constantly evolving. Change is the one constant in life, so as they say resistance is futile! At the end of the day, we have ZERO control over the world around us, as much as our egos would have us believing otherwise. Focus on you, and what you can take away from something you may be struggling with at the moment. Is it that job that shut down due to new social distancing mandates? It was just forcing you out of a comfortable situation that you had long outgrown; overworked and underpaid. It's time to move on and follow your passion, do what makes you happy, not out of necessity. That relationship, intimate or platonic that has always been one-sided and you dismissed as "oh they are always like that." ? Well now that you need to lean on them, where dey at? Find those people who are going to be active participants in your life, not just SOUL SUCKERS.
Gratitude practice will initially feel like a royal rumble between Positive Polly and Negative Nancy. Batman vs. Joker. The Ninja Turtles vs. Shredder. And then all of a sudden a light bulb goes off (on) and a shift happens. Wherever the gratitude goes, energy flows and vice versa. The more abundant your gratitude the more abundance you open your soul to receiving. Don't believe me? Try for yourself. For the rest of month start writing down three things you are grateful for. You don't have to show anyone, just be consistent. At the end of the month go back and read all of your entries. Do you notice a difference? Do you feel differently towards certain things and situations?
Sending you all the love & light and releasing a collective exhale.