Finding our Gratitude & Appreciation in Times of Challenge
One of the most difficult things to do is find gratitude and appreciation, even in times of challenges, struggles, and hardships. Whether we find ourselves starting over in life, or financially struggling, facing losses, or dealing with health complications, or any long list of life situations, which may arise, we can find comfort when we lean into our spiritual practices, and apply gratitude and appreciation.
It is so easy to sink down the rabbit hole of ‘stinkin thinkin’, when it feels, as if we’re traveling up a mountain, with a mountain on our back. However, when we are in these dark days, is when we need to use gratitude, and appreciation, the most, because when we use these tools, we always find some comfort.
Applying gratitude and appreciation will either show us that we do in fact ‘have enough’, or it will remind us of our blessings, or allow us to absorb the lessons, or guidance, which is trying to come through. Gratitude and appreciation also keep us from the other options, which are negative thinking, and slipping into our limiting beliefs, or even victim mode.
REASONS FOR CHALLENGES IN OUR LIVES
On the wrong path
Being tested
The Brick wall
Strengthen trust in faith
Develop confidence
God, nor the Universe, is punishing. Therefore, when we find ourselves dealing with intense, life challenges, it is often for a few reasons. We could be tested, to see where we are in our spiritual growth, or if we’re ready, for something we might be asking for. For example, maybe we keep saying that we are ready for something better in our lives, but we keep accepting something ‘less than’, and that certain thing that is ‘less than’, is causing us direct harm, and creating the challenges.
Sometimes these times arrive in our lives, to guide and direct us, onto a different path. Maybe we’re getting challenges and struggles, to show us that we’re walking down the wrong path. Maybe there’s something else we’re supposed to do, or see, or a completely different action, we should take. Sometimes what we are faced with, can be a door closing, literally, in our faces, so that we have no other choice, but to choose the other door. Then, we come to understand, it was that very last door of options, that served us best.
Pay attention. Is there a pattern in your hardships? If you are continually getting the same pattern, of struggles, then there is something, in that, which you are supposed to stop, and understand, absorb, and possibly ‘work through’. Maybe you haven’t yet healed, from an old wound, but you keep getting a similar scenario, played out in your life, over and over. It could be with different people, places, and things. However, there is still a familiar pattern. You will continue to get this opportunity, to ‘work through your stuff’, or to finally ‘see the lesson’, in the experience, until you finally get, through it.
Then, after you do your work, be prepared, because you are likely to see that same repeated scenario, once again, on your doorstep. This is where the ‘testing’ comes in. This is an opportunity for you break that pattern, or end that cycle, or finally close the door of the experience, of whatever challenge, which you had previously seen. It’s an opportunity to say, ‘no’, and not allow it to unfold, once again, or to choose actions, which result in different outcomes.
Again, do not get discouraged if you have done the necessary work, and you are starting to feel better, as a result, of having done the work, and you see the pattern, in your life, again. The good is that you will recognize it, and possibly even see it coming, well in advance. Think of it, with this analogy. It is as if you have a blinking sign, over the top of your head, that flashes, and let’s people know, that you ‘care take other people too much’, or that you have a particular ‘childhood wound’.
You have been putting out, into the world, an energy, and a vibe, that reflects all of this. Someone comes along, seeing the ‘blinking sign above your head’, and they hold the ‘match’ to your trauma wound, too, or possibly, they like to connect with others, who take care of them. Trust, that you will turn off the blinking sign, and become a vibrational match, for a different sign message. In due time, you will find a different quality person, responding to what you are putting out.
Another reason we might see challenges, and hardships, in our lives, is if you’ve been traveling down the wrong path in life, these challenges could manifest, as the brick wall, that is needed, to make you stop, and consider another way – another path in life, or maybe even a spiritual path, for the first time.
Everyone’s version of the ‘brick wall’, is different, based on exactly what it is required, to make you stop. So, the challenges, struggles, and hardships, are intentionally in your life, to more of less say, ‘this is not where you are supposed to be’. Of course, you can always keep pushing forward and pushing forward and pushing forward. However, eventually, you will meet your brick wall.
As humans, we are given the ability to exercise ‘free will’. We can always say ‘no’, to our opportunities for love, light, guidance, direction, enlightenment, etc. We always have the opportunity, to continue down our path of hardships. We can continue to carry that mountain up a mountain. However, a good rule of thumb, is to keep in mind, it’s the wrong path if it feels like a struggle. Our soul’s path is supposed to unfold for us, naturally, organically, and with grace and ease.
Whatever reason, it may be, we find ourselves in these darkest of days, if we can reach into our toolkit, and pull-out gratitude and appreciation, it will help us find greater comfort, and help us, to see it through. I understand, intimately, how difficult this can be, at times. I have often found myself in these intense moments, and then, when I discovered the lesson, or understood the guidance, that was coming through, I realized, always in hindsight, this was just a ‘gift in some really ugly packaging’. The tools of gratitude and appreciation bring everything into perspective.
We can often do a lot for ourselves, just by shifting our perspective, off the problems, which we may be focusing on, to trying to understand the lesson, or the guidance, that we’re supposed to get. Of course, when we pour all our energy, into the problem, we end up getting more of the problem, because whatever we focus on, and wherever we feed our energy, it magnifies. So, if you’re sitting around focusing on all the problems, then, guess what? You’ve got more problems!
Take care of yourself, during these times, with activities of self care. Take mental breaks, from your focus, and especially if you find you continue to focus on nothing but the problems. Sometimes we simply need to take our minds off the problems, detach from the situation, let go, and hand it over to God, and the Universe. God, nor the Universe, can step in, and work the magic, and miracles, in our lives, if we are busy standing in the way!
Step back and let go. Allow things to unfold. Take a walk in nature. Pamper yourself with a soak in the tub. Watch something funny, or uplifting. Read some inspiring words. Pick up the telephone and call a supportive friend. Go out and socialize. Take a relaxing drive somewhere. Play a game of fetch with your dog. Go spend time working on a creative hobby. Do a physical work out or stretching. Whatever it may be, do something for yourself, that will clear your negative energy, and allow God, and the Universe, to step in.
Try to focus your mind on solutions, and options, which you may have. Allow yourself to consider favourable outcomes, for example, ‘what if I just got laid off from my job because there’s something else coming available, that I would be happier doing, and get paid more money?’ What if, you are losing something, to make way for something much better, in your life, and it just appears like the world is falling apart, right now? Then, maybe in the following week, you apply for a much better opportunity, and get it, and feel blessed beyond your imagination. This is why gratitude and appreciation are the tools to apply, always.
God, and the Universe, is set up to support you, with infinite abundance and prosperity, if you are in alignment with your life purpose path. If we can switch our mindset from one of expected negativity, to expected positivity, we will see things start to change, all around us. We manifest our realities with our mind, and our thoughts. Even in times of struggle, it is extremely important to maintain that positive mindset, and continually look for the ‘silver lining’. Again, God, and the Universe, do not function in a manner, that is out to ‘punish you’, or to watch you ‘fail’. Let go of the mindset which expects this to be the case.
Continue to have trust, and faith, and lean into spiritual practice, even HEAVIER, during these times. Praying is when we talk to God, and ask questions, of Him. Meditation or ‘stilling ourselves’, is when we wait, for His answers, and guidance. We will get our answers, if we continue to ask empowering questions, like ‘what is my lesson that I need to learn? What is trying to manifest in my life? What is the guidance? Is there something I need to learn, or let go of, or to prepare myself?’ It’s when we ask those negative questions, out of victim mode, like, ‘why me?’, that we don’t really get anywhere. We cannot grow, if we are stuck, in the cycle of ‘victim mode’.
What I mean by victim mode, is that things have happened to us, in life, and we identify as being victims, or one of life’s victims. We live from a belief system, that the world owes us, due to our suffering. Our actions become a byproduct of this thinking. In this place of thinking, we are not accountable for actions, and we do not see ourselves as being creators, in our lives, ourselves, or with God. We also do not understand that we manifest our realities, with our thoughts.
Trust that these times will come to pass. We also do not grow from a place of comfort, and these challenges, and struggles allow us the opportunity to not only grow, and evolve, spiritually, but also, to build greater trust and confidence, in our abilities. So, while you are in the midst of these challenging situations, if there’s some part of you, that can hold in your mind, the thought of how you will be stronger a person, once you’ve walked through the fire, or you’ve finally exited your cocoon, to fly, you’ll not only have greater strength; you will also have built greater confidence in yourself.
Just remember, we are all connected, and you are very much loved, immensely, and unconditionally. You are guided and supported by God and the Universe, even in these times. You came into this human incarnation, to grow, learn, transcend, and evolve, spiritually. You chose this life, for all aspects, including the challenges.
Again, these times will come to pass. You will see brighter days. Remember, the sun is always shining, somewhere, each day. We may just need to step out from under the clouds, to see it. Your life will either return, or become, one of balance, peace, serenity, abundance, prosperity, freedom, in alignment with your soul’s path.
I do hope these words have brought you some form of comfort. I thank you for allowing me, to share my message.
I love ya’ll, and I hope your day is amazing, and blessed.
Kindest regards,
Connie Rouble / The Mississippi Queen,
Spiritual Life Coach,
Transform You