Yea yea we have all heard it before. “Just be positive.” That is way easier said than done. Especially during a global pandemic. Right now it’s hard enough to get out of bed, let alone be positive! Here is a tool that is enabling me to stay positive during these unprecedented times!
This is by far my favorite tool of all! Gratitude. Gratitude is everything! I got through some of the darkest times of my life by being grateful. I was pregnant, suicidal, and just ready to end this journey when something spoke to me. Whatever it was said, thank God for what you have. I didn’t have much, or so I thought until I started to thank God for the things I did have.
I thanked him for food, water, a roof over my head, for family that loves me and more. I took it a step further and thanked him for things I wanted in my future. I thanked him for a house, car, career, relationship and a healthy baby. I thank him for the simple things and big things. I thanked him for everything I could think of, and when I thought I couldn’t think of anything more to thank him for, I found something else.
When I thought I had nothing, was the very moment I realized I had everything I needed. Gratitude saved my life. I now have a beautiful baby, loving family, a career I love and a warm home to grow in. I have all the things I thanked God for. So thank whoever you believe in, or whatever you believe in. Thank them hard, then go from there.
A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. I was still suicidal and in and out of the hospital and partial hospitalization. I continued to not be able to find a reason to live. I was so tired from so many emotions and I couldn’t find a way to get out of it. I was so lost and so broken.
I remember being in the bathtub on Thanksgiving 2018 and convulsing from emotional pain. I hit my head so hard off the stone wall of the tub, that I almost passed out. What I haven’t told you was that my daughter was in the tub with me. Not only could I have hurt myself, but I could have hurt the one thing I love more than anything in this world, my baby girl.
That is when I decided I NEEDED help. I wouldn’t stop until I was on a healing journey and the best mother I could be for my daughter. During that first time in the hospital I found journaling. I got a divine download to begin to write and write intentionally.
From there my daily journaling routine started. It gave me something to look forward to every morning. It gave me a reason and purpose to wake up every day. It gave me consistency, commitment, and drive; all things I was lacking in my life. Above all it gave me routine and a sense of accomplishment which I needed more than anything.
To this day I journal consistently. I write down intentions for my day, positive affirmations, and of course what I am grateful for! Journaling and gratitude has gotten me through my lowest moments. It has saved my life more than once. During these uncertain and unprecedented times it is a great tool to get you through.
So write, and write intentionally and always remember to thank whatever you believe in for the things you have now, along with the things you want for your future!