Difficult

There was a time when my happiness depended on my progress compared to others or my latest success. When someone I knew got promoted, went abroad, or seemed to be doing well, I would just wonder why it wasn’t me. It is not that I did not appreciate what I had— rather, it was obscured from view most of the time. My attention would always be drawn towards things lacking in my life– i. e., unrealized goals or imperfections.

Eventually, this way of thinking felt heavy; like constantly sprinting after something elusive. Life demands constant adaptation. Rather than existing solely within your usual contentment levels, there’s a growing awareness that one could be happier: understanding why certain emotions occur and how they can be influenced by attitude. This shift has made many more at ease in daily life— with themselves and other people too.

I’m grateful! Don’t get me wrong— gratitude hasn’t turned my challenges into heaps of blessings overnight. But it does help me see them differently (and therefore cope better). I now understand that feeling thankful is much more than just an emotion (although it certainly includes this); being appreciative also involves taking things in stride and viewing them from different angles!