When you itch, you apply something like calamine lotion or cortisone cream.

When you have a headache you might take a pain reliever.

There are definitely times when we choose to treat the symptoms.

My very wise niece has the suggestion for this blog.

When we face hardship or adversity, why not try applying gratitude?

It’s probably a stretch to be grateful for being INSIDE hardship and adversity. It is for me. I’m not about to deny that hard is hard. I also know, however, that I don’t want to ever feel trapped, like a victim or full of self-pity. So how do I get out of that place.

I can be grateful – in advance – for the growth, strength and courage that the situation will bring to me. I can be grateful for what I already have that I bring to the situation.

I can be grateful for the support and love that I have.

I can be grateful for the perspectives I have gained throughout my life – one day at a time, this too shall pass, and everything happens for a reason – even if I can’t see it right now.

I can be grateful that I know that I am a strong and resourceful person. I know that hard times can bring out the best in people, and that I know that I am one of those people.

As humans, we love to set challenges for ourselves and stretch. That’s why set goals, organize challenge events, train for competitions, learn new skills, learn how to make things, change things up.

As humans, we don’t love it when we aren’t in charge of setting the challenges, when life hands us hard times.

But the outcomes can still be that we are stronger, wiser, braver, kinder, more compassionate…whatever we need to be better versions of ourselves.

When we are in the middle of hardship and adversity, gratitude can take us someplace else.

What do you think about this? Please comment!

And remember: in all things – progress, not perfection!

Love and light, Maggie

*****

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