Worth the Work

Gratitude and Mindfulness

This morning I read the following, written by Alex Elle:

“In the tapestry of life, gratitude is the golden thread that weaves through our experiences, binding them with a luminous glow and reminding us to honor our light. Gratitude practice has taught me so much about noticing, paying attention, and being in awe about the tiny things. It's this reminder to see the sunbeam amidst the storm or smell the fragrance of rain-soaked earth after a downpour. As we journey through our lives, the practice of gratitude journaling can become our compass, guiding us toward mindfulness, joy, and an unwavering connection to the present moment.”

Mindfulness and the act of being present and in the moment is challenging for many of us. But especially for those of us who have depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and trauma.

However, being present and embracing gratitude is also a practice, meaning one that we must engage in, regularly. When done enough, it is formed into a habit, and it does create new neural pathways, which not only improves your mood and attitude, but it also has physical effects such as lowering blood pressure and heart rate.

I share with you all because lately, like morning, I look around and find myself happy and grateful, healthy and mindful, able to live in the present moment. To enjoy it.

I was not always like this.

It took a lot of work on myself. There were moments when I never thought I would be able to enjoy life again and to feel this light.

Mental illnesses and somatic/embodied responses to trauma that we have not addressed (and I believe the lines between those two are blurred), often rob of that. But they also lie to us that we will never feel happy or light again.

It may be a lie.

Don’t give up on your mental health, dear ones.

It’s worth the work.