WELLNESS & WELL-BEING
What Being Thankful
is Truly About
By Sharee Silerio
“G
razie.” “Je vous remercie.” “Gracias.”
There are countless ways to say “thank
you,” but what does giving thanks truly
mean? What does it look like to live a life of
gratitude? How can we adequately express
this inner condition?
I’ve learned a lot about thankfulness over the past few years, and
my perspective on it has become deeper with each challenging life
situation. I now know how to grieve in a way that is healthy for me. I
know how to appreciate the darkest moments as much as I appreciate
the brightest days.
You see, being thankful isn’t about being happy, content or
satisfied with how things are going, with things going your way, with
everything turning out the way you envisioned, with the “good” that
happens, the positive, or the favorable.
.
Through pain, heartache and hopelessness, I’ve learned that being
thankful is about acknowledging the fact that you still have life. That
you still breathe. That you still walk. That you can still see, feel, talk,
think and be.
Thankfulness is about recognizing the beauty in each struggle,
accepting that each will prepare you, shape you, and strengthen you
for what’s to come.
Thankfulness is about realizing that our most amazing moments in
life occur “joined at the hip” with the most difficult times in our lives.
Although I don’t have everything I need or desire, I am thankful
that it is still possible. I am thankful that I am able to make it happen.
I am grateful that I have dreams that I can still make a reality. I am
thankful that I can still create a life that I love. I am thankful that I
still have life.
I am thankful for rainy days because there is no life without water;
for cloudy days, for they remind me of how beautifully blue the
sky can be; for mistakes because they remind me that no one is or
will ever be perfect, and that’s OK; for misplaced treasures, which
remind me that the memories attached to them can never be lost;
for disappointments that will make me stronger; for death, which
reminds me to pursue my dreams, fulfill my purpose, and do what I
love, because my time is limited.
Thankfulness isn’t about accepting your situation because it could
be worse. It’s about seeing whatever life brings – good or bad – as a
reminder of how precious, unique, creative and full of love life truly is.
Silerio is a St. Louis-based freelance writer, a blogger, and a film and TV
writer and producer. Her work has appeared in The Root, Curly Nikki and
The St. Louis American. For more information, visit shareesilerio.com or
sincerelysharee.com.
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GAZELLE