First we have the bread. The resources, time, energy…the privilege to have the things we do. Then we have the lettuce, cheese, tomato (if you like tomatoes on your sandwiches), maybe avocado, THE MEAT (unless you’re a veggie person), and finally the condiments. All of which of course represent the people, relationships, good vibes and opportunities we have to be grateful for. THAT is a gratitude sandwich and BOY is it delicious.
My world has changed a bit over the last few months and I have had the understanding and clarity that I have been seeking for sometime now. I’ve been granted the gift of seeing and feeling. Not that I’ve been a numb potato for all my life, but meaning that in light of recent events, I can see past my own emotions and thoughts in a new and improved way to really see what’s been in front of me and what it truly feels like to be so grateful for what I have.
This world is f*cked up and we all know it, thats no secret. There’s 20 bad things to every 1 good thing, and sometimes (let’s be honest here) we tend to view the world through this lens because how on Earth do we not? Between the drama and facade of social media, the news outlets screaming at us with clickbait and insane headlines on top of the very real systemic issues our society faces among other pressing matters globally…being just a *person* and *existing* in this day and age can make us feel EXHAUSTED. So tired and sad. It can make us truly negative when we don’t want to be. Plus let us not forget, COVID was more than any of us could imagine. I was watching my fave TV show the other day (its a medical show lol NOT Grey’s Anatomy people calm down) and they did a COVID episode all about the shutdown and how the pandemic hit hospitals and medical staff. I literally started crying out of nowhere…like my body remembers the trauma before I can even recognize it! This moment just hit me because I realized that our environment and our world really reaches and touches us mind, heart, body and soul. We internalize things that have a lasting impact on our psyche and our attitude.
SO THAT is why I’ve been working on my mental diet by eating gratitude sandwiches everyday.
Each morning I wake up I make a point to be thankful. Grateful to God for the shoes on my feet and the car I drive. Each night I am working on making a habit of journaling three things I am thankful for OR (I got this from a podcast) I think about what went well in my day. Even if it was the smallest thing like having time to eat breakfast or a patient saying something nice to me. This is an active practice that works and it genuinely helps to shape my mindset, causing my mood to shift into a positive one.
There will never be a shortage of things to be pissed off about, that is a guarantee. Yet, there is also a myriad of things to be grateful for too. I keep seeing this quote that says, “When you pay attention to what you are grateful for, you attract more positive experiences, opportunities, and abundance into your life.” In a nutshell this is based on the Law of Attraction, which states that “like attracts like,” meaning your focus on gratitude sends out a positive signal that draws more positive things towards you. It’s simple math.
So friends, my challenge to you is this: try this idea of journaling a few things you are grateful for or perhaps think about what has gone well today. Remind yourself about what you already have and take that energy out into the world. The results may surprise you! Especially if you like sandwiches.
xoxo,
Trinity
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