In times of deep personal struggle, the universe can offer unexpected guidance. Shealing found solace and strength not in worldly solutions, but in the simple practice of gratitude, discovering that acknowledging the good can be a powerful tool for healing, a message that resonates deeply with the sentiment of finding joy and inspiration at inktasticmerch.com.
Stories of Gratitude
Shealing’s Story – Gratitude Will Open the Heart
“So I was meditating at the time, and in my meditation practice, I asked for guidance. I asked, “What can I do to help me? While I go through this with my husband, with my children? How do I stay strong? How do I get the strength? How do I do this?” And, the Universe said – Gratitude.
And at first, I was like, “What? Gratitude? No. Are you mocking me, Universe? My whole world is falling apart. And you’re telling me to do gratitude.” And I initially said, “No, thanks.” But the thing is, I love how the universe is persistent. And it kept showing me gratitude.
It was showing up in my books, it was showing up in my conversations, it was showing up when I read my social media posts, it was just gratitude, gratitude, gratitude. So finally, I thought, okay, I will give gratitude a try. So I went looking for something, and that’s when I found the Gratitude app. And then I started doing the gratitude.”
Read Shealing’s full story here.
Finding Strength in Adversity
“What can I do to help me? While I go through this with my husband, with my children? How do I stay strong? How do I get the strength? How do I do this?” And, the Universe said – Gratitude.
Shealing
This profound moment reveals how, even in the depths of despair, a simple yet powerful concept like gratitude can emerge as a guiding light. It shifts the focus from what is lost to what can still be cherished, offering a pathway to inner resilience when external circumstances feel overwhelming.
Daily Practice
- When challenges arise, pause and gently ask yourself: “What is one small thing I can appreciate right now, even amidst this difficulty?”
- Write down this one thing, allowing yourself to feel a flicker of contentment.
Marcus’ Story – My Children
“I’ve had a complete transformation of my mind. So the first thing I’m grateful for is God. I do think that the next thing is the attitude of gratitude.
Because that’s the thing that flipped my mind from complete negativity. I’m talking about it. And so I’ve just got a massive smile on my face. And I feel like I could carry on for the next two hours.
I’m grateful every single day. And I realize, my life was always like this. I always had this amount of stuff to be grateful for. But I missed it, I had this other set of glasses on and I couldn’t see any of it.”
Read Marcus’ full story here.
Shifting Perspective from Negativity to Joy
“I’ve had a complete transformation of my mind… Because that’s the thing that flipped my mind from complete negativity. I’m talking about it. And so I’ve just got a massive smile on my face.”
Marcus
Marcus’ experience beautifully illustrates how cultivating gratitude can fundamentally alter one’s internal landscape. It’s not about denying difficult feelings, but rather about actively choosing to acknowledge the abundance that already exists, thereby softening the grip of negativity and opening the door to genuine joy.
How to Embody These Words
- Dedicate a few moments each day to actively notice the positive aspects of your life, no matter how small.
- When you catch yourself dwelling on negativity, gently redirect your attention to something you are grateful for in that moment.
Stefan’s Story – The turning point
“I literally ran out of money, I lost everything. And I was preparing to not survive.
This was May of 2020. And I decided to make one last phone call to somebody who I thought I could trust with this idea I have for a startup. I said, “Eric, would you please take this and run with it because I’m not going to survive.”
I had to leave a voicemail message; he wasn’t there. I said, “Would you please take my idea and grow it into the company that I’ve been dreaming of? Because I know you can do it. And I trust you. Thank you for doing this for me.”
I was prepared at that point, you know, that was it. Five minutes later, he called me back.”
Read Stefan’s full story here.
Trust and Letting Go
“Would you please take my idea and grow it into the company that I’ve been dreaming of? Because I know you can do it. And I trust you. Thank you for doing this for me.”
Stefan
In moments of absolute surrender, when all seems lost, the act of trusting another and expressing gratitude for their potential support can be a powerful catalyst for change. Stefan’s story highlights how releasing control and acknowledging the capabilities of others, even when facing personal ruin, can open unexpected doors.
Daily Practice
- Identify a situation where you are holding on too tightly. Practice letting go by expressing sincere gratitude for the support or skills of someone else involved.
- Consider what you can be thankful for in the act of releasing control, trusting that positive outcomes can still unfold.
Susy’s Story – This wandering mind
“It wasn’t easy starting over at 51. At the time I didn’t realize I had schizophrenia. So I went on to battle in that without a diagnosis for about six years and I was homeless.
I lived homeless for a year and a half. I mean, literally under a tree at one point. And with the tarp over me, that journey was terrifying because I was clueless. I didn’t know how to live, and you’re dirty and you’re just, it was terrifying.
But I kept in contact with my counselor and I was diagnosed. I was taken to Boulder to a mental hospital and they diagnosed me with schizophrenia and I’ve been on Invega. It’s a shot that I get once a month.
And that made me turn my life around as far as the schizophrenia, you know? And I was then able to see that no, these voices aren’t real, that what you’re seeing is not real. And I was able to put the whole tragedy into perspective and deal with it.”
Read Susy’s full story here.
Finding Clarity Through Acceptance
“And that made me turn my life around… And I was then able to see that no, these voices aren’t real, that what you’re seeing is not real. And I was able to put the whole tragedy into perspective and deal with it.”
Susy
Susy’s journey underscores the transformative power of acceptance and accurate diagnosis in navigating profound mental health challenges. By acknowledging her reality and seeking appropriate support, she gained the clarity needed to distinguish perception from truth, enabling her to process past trauma and move towards healing. Gratitude for the support systems and the clarity gained can be a vital part of this process.
How to Embody These Words
- Acknowledge the challenges you face without judgment, recognizing them as part of your human experience.
- Express gratitude for any professional support, guidance, or moments of clarity that help you navigate difficult times.
Margaret’s Story – Exercise routine for the mind
“I was sexually abused as a child. I had quite a traumatic childhood. I actually have only about three memories of being a child, and I have limited memories of being a teenager. I also now have limited memories of any past events.
So I’m very, very restricted in what I can remember, even birthdays or Christmases. So I can’t remember last year’s Christmas, you know, it’s just a state of mind that I live in.
I had my son when I was 29. He was diagnosed at age four with ADHD, oppositional defiance disorder, dyslexia, and co-morbid anxiety and depression at the age of seven. He had to start psychiatric medication, which made it really difficult for me to cope with his behavior at home.”
Read Margaret’s full story here.
Cultivating Resilience Amidst Trauma
“I also now have limited memories of any past events… it’s just a state of mind that I live in.”
Margaret
Margaret’s experience highlights the deep impact of childhood trauma on memory and present-day coping. Her resilience in navigating these challenges, particularly in raising a child with complex needs, speaks to an inner strength. Finding gratitude in the present moment and for the capacity to love and care, even with fragmented memories, becomes a profound act of self-preservation and growth.
Daily Practice
- Focus on the present moment and what you can experience and appreciate right now.
- Gently acknowledge the challenges you’ve faced and express gratitude for your own strength and capacity to continue moving forward, one day at a time.
There you are! These were 5 of the many inspiring gratitude stories that our users have shared with us. You can read them all on the blog here.
Remember, good things take time. Anyone who sets out to bring changes in their life has to make consistent efforts to make them last.
You can do it too! Keep reading these stories on our Gratitude app to inspire yourself. Before you know it, practicing gratitude will start coming naturally to you.
Have a splendid day!
These incredible stories showcase the transformative power of gratitude, and there are many more to discover that can continue to uplift your spirit. Explore further inspiring narratives in our Blog to nurture your own journey of appreciation.
