Gratitude or Grousing

Gratitude or Grousing

All kinds of things and events have been swirling around my space in recent days, weeks and months to the place where I have begun to pay full attention.

So when a friend made a comment that she watched my life change in ways large and small since we met some 15 years ago and she was happy to witness it, I began to delve into the why.

Why was I able to change and grow in ways that is almost impossible to believe on this end by many including myself some two decades later? Why am I still able to continue to grow and change with each passing day?

The conclusion I came to?
Gratitude.
No matter where I was in each cycle of my life, I maintained a level of gratitude for every morsel of it. Yes, even as I struggled to make sense of certain things and behaviors around me. Yes, as I was ridiculed for daring to dream and then going forth to do just what I dreamt about.

Do you know how I came up with gratitude as the answer?
All around me back then, were people who had the same opportunities and challenges I faced. Those of us who came through and  grew, maintained gratitude.

Those who didn’t, are still in that same place  all these years later because they groused and complain bitterly about things and always looked toward what they didn’t have, versus what they did.

They also were never willing to take the necessary risks needed to challenge themselves and grow. They were content to sit back and watch, all while denigrating the efforts of others, believing it was all pipe dreams. Until those dreams became reality with hard work and determination.

What they are left with, is a pot filled with a bitter brew of anger, jealousy, victimhood, and regrets.

Do not let that be you. Challenge yourself to step completely out of your comfort zone. Never forget to embrace each stage of your life fully, learn the lessons, celebrate the victories and most of all, walk in love and kindness.

And give yourselves a break. None of us are good all the time. It’s okay. You can be both AND. I am always a tad amused by self proclaimed “perfect” people who toe the line, do what they are told and then wonder why life is so, well, boring.
That which we declare over ourselves, is that which is manifested. Good or not so much.

So what will it be?  Gratitude or grousing?

You decide.
Dueces and mad love,

DivA