Sigh! I had a rough yesterday. Some days start off so good and then someone does and/or says something that sours your mood. Has that ever happened to you? What do you do?
I hate when people tell me to not let it bother me. What? How do you do that? It’s human nature. One of the things that I’ve done though is to not allow myself to be pulled into foolishness. It still bothers me though. I just won’t engage.
Even though I want to. But, I am a work in progress. I am a learning to live in the light, walk in the light and appreciate the darkness because I know that trouble don’t last always and that joy does come in the morning. One step. One day at a time. That’s all I can do some days.
Find joy in the things that I seemingly take for granted like…
- Waking up this morning with reasonable portions of strength and health. I mean I take this for granted. Someone didn’t wake up today. Someone couldn’t get out of bed because they are bedridden. I can get up, pack my gym bag and make a plan to work out later today. See, I’m blessed. Let me rejoice.
- Being blessed with some amazing people who encourage my spirit. Do you know how wonderful it is to be able to call upon friends when I’m angry or upset? People who will listen and encourage my spirit with positive words. People who motivate me to keep moving on. Keep putting forth my best effort. Some people don’t have that. I need to remember that it’s awesome that I do and I’m blessed. I’m finding the joy in that.
- Being employed and actually loving what I do. There are many people who woke up this morning who don’t have a job. People who are faithfully looking for employment and not being able to find it. What about those that are underemployed or hate what they do? I need to rejoice because I’m blessed. It doesn’t mean that I don’t have bad work days (everyone does) but it means that I can find joy in knowing that I’m blessed in spite of those bad days.
- Being able to afford to provide for my son. Being employed allows me the ability to provide for my son. I can walk into a store and buy my son some tennis shoes without thinking about or saving for a pair of shoes. Which is what happened this weekend. I went to the store and bought him some new tennis shoes. I then went to another store and bought him some new church shoes. I’m Blessed. That is what it is. I didn’t have that luxury growing up. My mother was robbing Peter to pay Paul and there was nothing left. I learned to take care of my stuff early and to only complain if they didn’t fit. I know people today that couldn’t afford to do that. But, I can. If my son were to break his glasses today (knock on wood that he doesn’t), I could go and buy him a new pair and not have to choose between food being short, not enough gas money or utilities being cut off because of the unexpected expense. I’m rejoicing in the fact that God has allowed me the ability to be able to provide for him on my own.
So, I counted my blessings. Realizing that I need to encourage myself to be faithful in my joys and understanding that I can survive the darkness. Rejoice. I have survived worse. If you only knew my testimony. Be encouraged today and know that it will get better.
A Thomas Point of View 
This is a beautiful, much-needed reminder to count our blessings – no matter what difficulties are thrown at us. Thank you!
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Girl, It’s hard though. Sometimes I just try to remind myself.
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I once called an employer-sponsored wellness hotline. I asked how to leave at work some uncomfortable things happening at work. “Just leave it there!” was the answer I received. I replied akin to, “See, I asked you for directions and you restated the destination. I already know the destination. What I need help with are the directions.” If the directions were “just” that easy, I’d never have needed to ask in the first place!
The book Just One Thing eventually gave me the directions I sought. One of the most important for me was one you evidence here: thankfulness, and yet even that can only go part the way when there’s a problem to be solved. I’d rather go part the way than not at all, for sure, and have much for which to be thankful!
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Hi Tikeetha, I just wanted to let you know I nominated your blog for the Epically Awesome Award! Read more here https://rebirthoflisa.wordpress.com/2015/12/07/the-epically-awesome-award/. I hope you accept.
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What a wonderful post! A great reminder!
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You are indeed blessed! ❤
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This is a great post. Gratitude makes a big difference. Thank you!
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This was a beautiful post. Sometimes we get caught up in the little things that don’t really matter at all, instead of looking at the big picture and realizing that as long as your loved ones are good and you have food,health and shelter,everything else doesn’t matter. I really enjoyed reading this, thank you for sharing!
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I really needed this today. Thank you 🙂
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Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often and commented:
This is A Thomas Point of View!!
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I am always telling my son and husband this. Need to practice what I preach. Thanks.
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Thank you for sharing this. It’s awesome to see the power of gratitude at work. Donna Cameron of A Year of Living Kindly has written about how gratitude and kindness go hand-in-hand. I like to picture them as 2 little kids. Maybe one is black and one white or one is Christian and the other is Muslim or one is Western and the other is Eastern — in any case, they are best friends and refuse to let anyone separate them. Together, they can change the world, one person at a time.
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Whew! You just motivated me with this. I will pick up the book. Thank you
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There’s not a book (yet! I keep encouraging her to compile her posts into one). Here is a post of hers about kindness and gratitude: http://ayearoflivingkindly.com/2015/11/18/gratitude-a-companion-to-kindness/
Also, if you visit my blog and search under gratitude, you will see other posts on this topic. I’m going to reblog yours later today, too, as it fits very well with those.
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Okay, will do. Thank you so much. Thanks for the reblog.
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My blog is Minister is a Verb and you can find it at http://timgatewood.wordpress.com
I have several posts and reblogs there about gratitude.
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