When going through challenging experiences it can be hard to see the good that comes out. Many times, the difficult parts overshadow the parts that may have been good. It takes effort to process experiences as a whole for the good moments to return to your memory bank. As long as you are breathing there is hope in healing and finding the good through everything. Trust and believe in yourself.

For some depression is a daily battle while for others it may rise sporadically. Either way, battling depression is challenging. Managing yourself though depressive stages can be a life-saving and life-changing tool to help to escape these mental runts. Building these tools is hard yet possible. But it is a superpower to identify the signs and pull yourself out of these mental spirals.

Fear holds us back from pursuing things that we love. We are all creative being and everyone deserves to pursue the things that they love but only we can kick start that new journey. Sometimes you just have to go for it and leave your thinking and fear in your rear view. Only you can spread your wings and fly… or stay on the ground and keep looking up. Choose your view.

Have you noticed that complaining has become so socially acceptable that is is almost apart of every conversation that occurs? There is always something to complain or gossip about. Is this because we do not live a life of constant gratitude? Well, after reading the book “A Complaint Free World” by Will Bowen, I accept my contribution to draining other people’s energy with mess and live a more grateful and optimistic life. There is always ways and time to improve… we all have to start somewhere.

In society today, it seems that antidepressants are as common as taking ibuprofen for a headache. After going down a rabbit hole of the effects of antidepressants I’ve noticed that ultimately they cause more harm than good. I was almost a victim of antidepressants but I could not comprehend taking a pill to help “regulate” my emotions. When robots are made the one component that can never be duplicated is the consciousness, the emotions. Therefore, it is a slippery slope to use anything outside of the body to assist with helping what is going on inside of the mind.

For a very long time I lived a life of caring what people think and neglecting myself. I have come to learn and identify what is important to me, what virtue that I live by and my top values. These have helped me understand who I am and what I will no longer tolerate from others in any environment. I have arrived at a lighthearted place in my soul and I maintain my character despite what goes on around me but… it is a battle.

After my first gratitude post I had trouble finding another gratitude topic to write about. Then I realized why… because selecting topics was never my true intention. I was inspired to simply share my normal routine, write what I am grateful for and expound on that. So, here is week 1 of my weekly gratitude journaling.