Do this when life is hard
What We Often Forget to Do During Hard Times...
It's often easier to give in to negative emotions when times are tough. But we often forget to think about what we're grateful for.
I want to tell you about an exercise that helps me stay positive when things are hard. I started doing this when I was 11 years old.
The Shift
I used to wake up in the Holland Inn motel ( now known as The Holland Hotel). Each day began with grabbing an orange from the free breakfast the motel offered.
I'd wait for the tourists, who were excited to see NYC for the first time, to grab their breakfast before me. I felt weird and a bit ashamed because I was living in that motel.
The employees at the motel were annoyed because we lived there. Not that we were trouble, but because my mom often showed up once a week, high and causing a scene. It was embarrassing for my dad, my brother, and me.
While waiting in the breakfast area, I'd watch the clock—7:15 am. Time was a big stress for me. My dad had until 11 am to earn enough to pay for our room.
I used to always check my phone in class to see if he had made the payment. To be honest, I still get anxious about the time today. Whenever it hits 11 am, my heart sinks. That's how deep trauma can affect you.
As I took my orange, I walked outside the motel. It was a lovely spring day, the first nice one after a really tough winter.
For once, I didn't hurry to school. I looked at the New York City skyline, peeled my orange, and took in the fresh spring air. Then said to myself…
"My life is tough. I don't know where I'll sleep tonight, or if my mom will embarrass me at school or the motel. But there's one thing I do know.
I could have been dealing with this trauma in the middle of nowhere.
But instead, I'm right across the Hudson River from New York City, a city full of dreams. I can breathe, walk, feel, see, and think.
There's definitely someone out there who has it worse than me.
Hey God, I know my life is hard, but I'm grateful. I believe there's a reason for all this. If there weren't, you wouldn't have put me right across from New York City.
From today, I'll make sure to always find something to be grateful for."
Then, I put on my headphones and started my 40-minute walk to school. I kept my promise.
No matter what today brings, I am grateful.
Flip The Coin
Have you lost sight of the gifts you've been given? Has the old version of you shown up during tough times? If so, try looking at it this way:
Focus on what you can control.
Concentrate on what you DO have, not on what you're missing.
Remember, life has polarity; good and bad always exist together—you can't have one without the other.
Think about what you want, not what you don't want. There's a powerful quote I love: "Energy flows where focus goes!"
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
And always remember, it's a GREAT day to be YOU!
Peace,
BeGreatWithNate