The Power of Gratitude and Perspective

This post is different than my usual topics, but I was on a walk the other day and it got me thinking. Some times I will go on walks through downtown Seattle by myself to reflect or clear my head. I always enjoy this time because it’s something that allows my mind to be free and go down whatever path it wants. I see so many different people on my walks that usually provoke a thought and my mind will just wander from there.

One particular day this week, while on a walk, I started thinking about perspective and how it helps me to be more grateful. Gratitude is something I have to work at sometimes and it honestly doesn’t always come easy to me. As I was walking around I was seeing people who were clearly living on the streets, whether by choice or by circumstance, I’m not sure. But it made me think about how small my problems actually are in the scheme of things and how good I truly have it. Other people’s misfortune doesn’t bring me relief in knowing that I have it better than they do, but it puts my life into perspective. It started to make me think about what a good life I have had and all the things my parents provided for my brothers and I growing up. I then started to think about how my parents upbringing was much different than mine, especially my dads.

My dad was the oldest of his siblings and started working at the age of 12. He was working at a restaurant at the time and some nights would work until 1 am and then have to get up early the next day for school. He has worked for every single thing he has ever had and is one of the most intelligent people I know. People love my dad. Not because he’s the most giving, kind hearted, or warm person (thats my mom) but because he’s real, he’s blunt, he’s absolutely hilarious, and he has integrity. You know there’s a lot of life lived by my dad and he has story upon story to back that up.

The reason for me bringing this up is that perspective is everything. We can choose to look at our lives with joy, gratitude, happiness, and love or we can choose to be the victim of our upbringings, our surroundings, or our current state. I like to think of the stories of the people who had all of the odds against them and still came out a winner because they chose to. They chose to put in the work, never give up, and enjoy the ride all while having a good attitude. I know it can be easier said than done, but we are all so much more capable and strong than we ever give ourselves credit for. I want to tell you that if you’re having a hard go of it or things don’t seem to happen as easily for you as they do for others, that you’re a diamond in the making and that you will be so proud of your goal once you’ve reached it. Keep striving, keep believing, and keep growing. Health is so much more than the food we eat (although that’s extremely important) but it’s also about the inner dialogue we’re having with ourselves and our perspective and view on life. We can be the victim or we can be the champion, it truly is up to you. I’m still learning this every day too.

So much love,

Ashley