Making the most of yucky situations

This is a post about gratitude... for all the sh*tty things that have happened in my life :)

Thank you for...
 
Thank you for the fight with my partner...
 
Because it means I have someone I am close to and who means a lot to me.
 
Thank you for the fallout I had with that friend...
 
Because it made me learn something huge about myself.
 
Thank you for my huge, uncomfortable belly...
 
Because it means my baby is growing and moving.
 
Thank you for the jobs I hated in the past...
 
Because they pushed me to set up my own business and forge my own path. 
 
Thank you for the start of my wrinkles...
 
Because it is a sign I’m getting older, and not everyone has that opportunity.
 
Thank you for the ugly furniture I don’t like in my apartment...
 
Because it reminds me that life isn‘t perfect.
 
Now I’m not a perfect Zen master... I don’t accept each struggle with a “hooray” and big cheer of gratitude :)
 
But it helps to see the other side of the coin once in a while. 
 
The positive in the negative.
 
The benefit of our struggles.
 
Usually they’re because we care about something SO much.
 
Or it’s a sign that we need to change.
 
Both of which are very positive things!
 
So I’d encourage you to give it a try.
 
When you think about a crappy situation in your life, look at it this way: 
 
Thank you for [crap experience/issue in my life], because it... 

• Thank you for that rejection... because it made the final acceptance even sweeter.
  
  
• Thank you for that boring weekend of procrastination... because it showed me how I don't want to spend my time.
  
  
• Thank you for the guy/girl who didn't return my call... because it leaves me free to be with someone who truly cares about me.  

See if you can find a genuine response to the end of the sentence: Thank you for [crappy experience], because...
 
What are you struggling with?
 
And how is it helping you? 
 
I know it sounds weird to think about struggles bringing us positive things.
 
But they’re usually there, if you look hard enough.
 
Thanks for my horrible ex-boss...
 
Because it made me realize exactly how I don’t want to manage people.
 
Thanks for that workshop that went badly...
 
Because it helped me to see what I need to practice for next time.
 
And thank you, for reading...
 
Because if not, I’d be sending this into an empty void ;) 
 
Sending you peace for the weekend and beyond,
 
Claire 
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