I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness — it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude. —Brene Brown
Being aware of my blessings and appreciative of the things God has given me has always been my M.O.
Even in negative situations, my mindset always shifts to find the silver lining. I’m not sure where my positive attitude came from, but one thing I do know for sure is that I’m very aware of my blessings.
Even going through personal things at the beginning of the year, I tried really hard to stay positive.
Then the rest of 2020 hit.
I thought I was someone who truly appreciated and lived life to the fullest…until 2020 happened.
This year has taught me so much more in terms of what true gratitude really means. After being home from work for about a quarter of the year, I realized I took a lot for granted.
In today’s article, I share my heart on what I feel I took for granted.
CONNECTION
One of my favorite bloggers, Megan Runion, wrote an article called Contact to Feel Connected and it hit home for me personally. Back in April, I visited my mom for the first time in three weeks since our strict lockdown took place. Because I was one of the last ones to leave the office a few weeks prior, I wanted to stay home and quarantine myself to make sure I protected my mom.
I couldn’t stop looking at her the entire time. After our visit and driving away, I broke down in the car crying because for the first time in my life, I couldn’t hug my mom. Watching her air hug me and blow kisses from her front door was so touching yet heart-wrenching at the same time.
Later on, during a phone call with her, we found out that we were both holding back tears until I left. We laughed because we learned that we had missed each other so much and seeing each other had made us so happy, we were holding back tears. Like mother like daughter.
I took connection with her for granted. And I definitely took hugs with her for granted. And the more I think about it, I miss connecting with others through smiling. With face masks as a must now when going out, it’s harder to connect with others. I miss that and I miss working out with my trainer and my gym friends.
STRUCTURE
I’ve always known that routine creates consistency and consistency is the key to success. However, it’s been so difficult for me to find a sense of routine when I can’t go anywhere because I’m considered high-risk.
Who would’ve thought having a daily routine of driving to your job, going to meetings, and ending your day at a coffee shop before working out would be so good for the soul?
I took having a structured life for granted. Never again when we go back to a new normal.
ADVENTURE
At the top of things I took for granted pre-COVID, is adventure. The adventures of being stuck in traffic on a shopping day, experiencing long lines at the airport to travel, and going to lunch/dinner with friends at a new-to-you restaurant will have new meaning when everything is over.
I know I will definitely have an attitude of gratitude to just be able to go anywhere.
If you talked to the pre-COVID me, I would’ve told you that I would never take these things for granted. Now, after being at home for this long, away from my family, friends, co-workers, church, and gym, not anymore.
And like I mentioned above, I’m good at finding the silver lining. And the positive to all of this is that my sense of awareness of life and its blessings is even more heightened now.
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