Gratitude is easy when things are going well in life. But what about the times that life just doesn’t go your way? Do you struggle to show gratefulness and thanks to challenges even if they help you grow? Do you dwell on difficult times instead of finding the lesson you should learn? 

If you are like me, sometimes you have weeks where, no matter how hard you work, no matter how much you try, things you do just aren’t successful. You feel defeated, frustrated, and feel you have a tiny storm cloud trying to loom over you. I think its safe to say that everyone has those moments in life. For me, that moment was about 2 years ago.

Embracing Gratitude to Overcome Challenges

I moved to Australia for an exciting opportunity to pursue my PhD. I moved at the end of 2019. Little did I know, within a few months, the world would change as we knew it. COVID-19 obviously wreaked havoc on the world, disrupted everything, divided people, and kept me away from my family for 3 years. Missing so many Christmas Days, Easter celebrations, Independence Day festivities, Thanksgiving feasts, Birthdays, a world away from my family, was the worst. It was tiring. It was exhausting, and it was heartbreaking and I felt defeated.

During these tough moments, I found courage in God, hope from the Bible, and strength and support from Gus and my family–even from the other side of the world.

Gratitude can help improve so many aspects of your life. Here are some of my favourite ways expressing gratitude improves your life.

• Sleep
• Relationships
• mental health
• Ability to cope with stressful/different situations
• Boosts mood
• Can improve immunity (stress weakens your immune system)
• Increase engagement in all activities
• Motivate you to do more things (yay staying active!)
• Motivate you to try new things/learn new skills

How I went from Overwhelmed to Grateful

During these days, weeks, and years, I kept myself grounded and hopeful through prayer by having a gratitude journal. Each morning, I list 3 things that I am hopeful about and wanted to work on or accomplish. As each day came to a close, I wrote 3 things that I was grateful for during the day. Some days were easier to be thankful than others.

On difficult days, I quickly found that a simple “hello”, a beautiful flower, and listening to birds from a park bench were moments I treasured. People who express thanks and gratitude are known to have a more positive outlook. The best part is that being grateful is completely free and all within your decision!

10 Minutes a Day Keeps The Stress at Bay!

This habit became a lot easier as the years went on and likewise, the ability to find peace in what was happening around me. The reason? Gratitude. Having a gratitude journal is literally 10 minutes of your day–5 minutes in the morning, 5 minutes right before bed. Having that positive mindset just before falling asleep is also powerful because it naturally relaxes your mind and body. Starting your day with a positive attitude sets you up for a more optimistic day, even on those rainy days. In my wellness journal, gratitude is part of each day for the 21-day cycle for this very reason!

After journaling for 10 minutes a day, the chaos and stress I felt seemed to disappear. I felt grounded and focused. Events that would cause me a lot of stress became challenges I knew I could overcome – almost like a game! Knowing that I could always find a positive in situations gave me so much peace.

A Glimpse into My Gratitude Journal

With the Thanksgiving holiday week coming to a close, gratitude has been very much on my mind and I wanted to talk to you about it! This year in particular I feel overwhelmingly blessed. I have Gus by my side and I was, after 3 years, reunited with my parents and my family.

God blessed me a year and a half ago by putting Gus into my life. To have Gus by my side for the first family reunion in 3 years brings so much joy and gratitude to my heart. During the time in Australia, Gus has been by my side during amazing adventures and included me in precious family time with his own beautiful family. But the part I have so much appreciation for is when he holds my hand to show he is there for me. He has been my support during some of the biggest challenges and trials with health, school, and being homesick. Having him journey over to America to visit my family was

Gratitude stems from Family and Quality Time!

The last several weeks, Gus and I made our way across the Pond all the way to America to surprise my family with a visit. We have been so blessed with the warm hugs, welcomes, and activities to catch up on 3 years missed. Starting our journey in Florida, then up to Tennessee, to Ohio, we spent so many priceless moments with my parents, encountered a bear, and I finally could hold my little niece and nephews, some for the very first time. Gus and I have been planning this trip for months. It has been amazing and Gus even experienced his very first Thanksgiving – a time to be grateful for everything we have, all we have overcome, and the surrounding love.

Grateful for our Adventures!

This trip has been so precious and healing for me and exciting and new for Gus. When we were in Florida, we had to stop at Universal studios and Harry Potter World! When we wanted to relax, we went tubing down a natural lazy river–the Ichetucknee. The Ichetucknee has crystal clear waters and we had a cloudless, sunny sky. We even went horse riding through the Florida forests. All of these moments are small but, so important to me because of the memories we will cherish!

In St. Augustine, we ventured around the historic city and Gus even convinced me to do a ghost tour! We have been so blessed to spend time with my parents, cooking together, breaking bread together, and having some adventures along the way–mini golf included. Unfortunately, my mini golf game hasn’t improved since I was seven; my dad absolutely crushed the mini golf game!

When we ventured up to Tennessee, we stopped in Gatlinburg for a few days to enjoy the beautiful mountains. After a terrifying drive to the cabin on the mountaintop, the view was breathtaking. The fresh mountain air was rejuvenating. Gus and I went on a hike (even though it was freezing temperatures). My parents, Gus and I ventured to the top of Clingman’s Dome (the highest part of the Smokey mountains). Of course, we finished our Tennessee stop with a Go-Kart race and mini golf (I still lost)!

There were so many significant moments and memories made for us during this trip and every moment I have cherished. I feel so blessed to have had Gus by my side, being able to spend time with my whole family.

What ways do you take time to recognize the good in your life? How do you show gratitude for everyday things? Do you think there are certain days that expressing thanks would lead to a more positive day and better sleep?

Let me know in the comments section below or send me a message!