Monday Motivation | The Magic of Gratitude

I’m quick to throw myself a pity party. I’m so tired, I’m working so hard, I still don’t have a million dollars, I’m so bored, I really want a white Panamera. Why am I not famous? Life is so hard. Can you tell I’m a bit of a drama queen?

When I was in college I thought I had it tough. My parents weren’t able to put up any money for me to go to school so I had to work full-time and it took me a year longer than I originally planned to graduate because I decided to double major. It was “tough” to get up at 6 a.m. to commute to school in a new car for an 8 a.m. class, only to arrive on campus and hurry past students with walking sticks trying to find their way. It was “tough” to hardly pay attention and stay off of my phone, while other students had to have lectures signed by an interpreter in order to be able to take notes. Many days I was drained from going to work, rushing to campus, then having to go back to work but I had class with so many working single parents who were only able to take one class a semester in order to balance their households that I was embarrassed to even complain out loud.

As “tough” as it was, I was constantly reminded how easy I had it. All I had to do was show up and apply myself. Had I had things my way, I would have been enjoying college loan-free, job-free and stress-free but what would that have done for my character? As much as I had to complain about, I know now I wasn’t thankful enough. Gratitude is the spring from which blessings flow. When you realize there are people that have to work twice or three times as hard to do the things that are “tough” for you, you realize how much you’re truly capable of. I’m grateful for those small moments of clarity and inspiration. Today I encourage you to “show up and apply yourself” because for most of us, it’s THAT easy.

Have a kick-ass Monday, xx.