Gratefulness

I have been going through some life turbulence which we all go through time and time again.  What I've learned and realized over the past couple of months is that you have to look at all the positives in your life when you feel like you have hit bottom.  There is a certain roller coaster called life that happens to all of us.  We have highs.. we have lows.. we have adequate or average.  When you are in the highs, everything is positive and easy.. life is euphoric.  In the averages, everything is stable.  Everything seems fine and comfortable... not great, but nothing to complain about OR get excited about.

It's when you are in the lows that you start to really evaluate your life, relationships, daily habits, and who you are as a person and what value you bring.  There are multiple lows.  Lows that are rock bottom, lows that are just above that, and lows that are just below "average".  None of them are particularly fun but it is part of life.  You can't exempt yourself from them...  You can however change your position, change your mindset, and change your perception and realize there is a very particular REASON for each of them.

Lately I have been going through some pretty emotional changes and have felt myself start to go to this low place in my mind, my physical, and my spiritual.  It is up to me to change this state.  It is up to me to choose how I will be each day.

I started to look at all the positives in my life.  And what started out to be a short list ended in a list I couldn't finish!

I am surrounded by amazing people.  I have a job that isn't a job but a passion and something I LOVE.  I have family that cares about me.  I have friends that would fight to the bitter end for me.  I don't worry about money... I have food to eat, a warm bed at night, and I get to experience things in life that I never dreamed I would be able to.  I have my health.  I am able to do physical tasks that push me every day and allow me to compete in something I love.  I have experiences every day that bring me satisfaction and worthiness.  I have a father that looks down and supports every day, even though he is gone.  I have endless possibilities!!

This life that I have been given, regardless of my past, is a gift.  I am SO GRATEFUL for what I do, the people I have in my life, and the future ahead of me.  It honestly gets me choked up to think about this in the big picture.  I can do more.

When I make a vision board or book, list out my goals, or visualize my life, I start to really see the potential life has.  To dream big is to manifest what you want.  I see exactly what that is and I also see how grateful I am for the SIMPLE things I have now.

Thank you to everyone that has impacted or touched my life in one way or another.  Whether it has been a 1 minute conversation or my best friend over the years, you have contributed to my well being and making me better.  I only hope to return the favor and make a difference for others!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  This drives me to do and give more LOVE for others and allow this to show through my daily actions.

One of my core values and emotions for 2012 is LOVE.  This isn't for me.  I want to radiate this to everyone I touch.  I want to give as I have been given.

This past year, right before Christmas, a dear friend and person I looked so highly up to passed away abruptly and too soon.  He was my Dad's best friend and my best friend's father.  Jerry Ratliff is someone that was a second Dad to me and I have known him since I was born.  He was an amazing person.  The one word that comes to my mind when I think of him is "Giver".  He was constantly giving to others.  Whether that was his family, friends, or a complete stranger.  I look at his life and how many people he gave to and impacted.  What a phenomenal person he was!!  We never know why these things happen.  All we can do is to know that this is not the end, not the last chapter and that there is a bigger reason for all things that happen.

Be grateful for every second of your life.  Do what makes you happy.  Radiate love for others.  Give back.  Appreciate the small things in life.  Tell the people around you exactly how you feel.  Most importantly, LIVE every minute as if it were your last.

A video for Jerry Ratliff...