EVEN THE SMALLEST FORMS OF GRATITUDE MATTER MORE THAN YOU KNOW

While gratitude may seem like a simple idea on the surface, what does it look like to practice gratitude while waiting?

What does it look like to be grateful for life when life isn't panning out to be what you thought it would be?

What does it look like to practice gratitude when you're faced with the reality of all that is temporary?

A daily practice of gratitude is incredibly valuable to your well-being, but that doesn't mean you have to pretend you are immune to the strong emotions that come with waiting. When you are waiting and starting to feel anxious or restless about your state, it's okay if you can't access gratitude right away.

There will be times when feeling deeply feels like traveling through the longest range of mountains. You might find yourself feeling stressed out and unable to slow down or be grounded, and to get out of that state feels like climbing the highest mountain. It takes everything out of you.

Gratitude is a wonderful gift, but we must remember that when we are not able to access gratitude, that is okay. We have to allow ourselves to traverse the range of our emotions like a range of mountains and trust that it's okay to take time to work through it.

Trying to force ourselves into quick gratitude may lead us to feel even further from where we want to be. Instead, step by step, we can carry on each day learning how to breathe through every moment, seeking the support we need, and knowing "having gratitude" is something we can practice. And it's okay if it starts small.

And as you traverse this landscape of emotions, I hope you can remember that you are free to repeat these words to yourself.

"I am allowing myself to travel through the range of my emotions."
"I am seeking support where I need it."
"Gratitude is a practice that will come naturally to me over time."

More in this week's series called "Practicing Gratitude, Right Here", only with a subscription in the Storyteller App.

More tomorrow…
Sincerely,
Morgan Harper Nichols
@thestorytellerco
@morganharpernichols