Gratitude with Some Attitude: Going Beyond the Boring Ole Gratitude List - Part 2
Orlando Therapist Providing insight on Gratitude by Going Beyond the Boring Ole Gratitude List
In this rendition of Gratitude with Some Attitude, I focus on having gratitude from altitude. Ok, maybe I am having way too much fun with the play on words with this series, but seriously y’all, there is something to be said about looking back on your life from the perspective of the bird’s eye view (altitude).
There are times in life that we want something and we want it so freaking bad. And it doesn’t happen. For whatever reason, and it’s not from lack of effort, it just doesn’t take shape. We are defeated, deflated, and question the gods from above. “Why?!?!”
And then, some time goes by and something better comes along. Something you could not have predicted, planned or prepared for. You become aware that if your original wish would have been granted, you wouldn’t be holding this golden ticket, the one in your hand right now.
As an anxiety and trauma counselor providing therapy in Orlando, I incorporate gratitude because of the many profound mental benefits it offers, which include increased energy, more joy in life, and a healthier perspective when life throws you lemons.
Gratitude from Altitude
I can recall many instances of this happening in my own life, one, in particular, was a relationship that I wanted to work out soooooo bad, and….. it didn’t. At the time I was crushed, completely devastated. But now 20 years later, I am praising the high heavens that he dumped me.
I did not know then what I know now. How could I have? I was blinded by love (or something vaguely resembling love), my age, my experiences, and my limited perspective. From where I am sitting now, looking back on my life, I am so grateful that the relationship ended. If it would have lasted (and Lord knows, I begged and prayed and pleaded), I would not have met and married my husband, who is a wonderful dad and the perfect partner for me.
New Possibilities
Why is this so important, you ask? Besides lighting the burden of past disappointments, this practice opens your mind up to new possibilities when things don’t go your way. You start to let go of tightly held agendas and trust that there are other possible positive outcomes. You begin to trust that things can turn out better than expected!!
Gratitude Challenge?
Your turn! Dig deep and look for at least one time that you wanted to happen so badly that it hurt, but it didn’t happen. And then, something better came along. It could be a relationship, a job, a house. Heck, it could be anything.
Before beginning your challenge, remember that gratitude needs to have altitude which means that we need to be able to see our life events at a new height or perspective which will open your mind up to new possibilities! This November we are letting go of the “woe is me” mentality and are finding our true gratefulness for what our life has brought us.
Good luck!
More Gratitude with Some Attitude?
21 Ways to Reduce Anxiety During the Holidays
Follow along on my journey of Gratitude with Some Attitude on my Instagram Page or my Facebook Page and leave a comment to share with me how your challenge is going.
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Mindful Living Counseling Orlando is a trauma healing center. Our Orlando Therapy Services include anxiety therapy, trauma counseling, eating disorder recovery, teen counseling, and healing from toxic relationships. At Mindful Living Counseling Orlando, we use a down-to-earth approach infused with cutting-edge therapies that go beyond traditional talk therapy so clients can heal at the root level and experience lasting change. Feel free to access one of our Guided Meditations to help you feel settled and calm now.
