Being thankful in the midst of a storm

Thank you! Merci!, Gracias! Danke! Grazie! Obrigado! Tack!, Shukrani!/ Asante!, Salamat!. In sign language, put the fingers of your dominant hand close to each other. Touch your chin with the fingertips, then move downwards toward the person you are thanking. This gesture means ‘thank you’. It is okay to be thankful when we are stuck between a rock and a hard place! we can be thankful in the midst of a life storm.

Thank you! is a word that we use often, and it comes naturally when we want to show appreciation. When we think about thanksgiving, we remember the thanksgiving day that is celebrated every year. However, a heart of gratitude is/ can be a lifestyle.

Some things to be thankful for

What are you thankful for? When you are asked to write a list of what you are thankful for, what will you write? Is there something that you will give a priority? Well, I think this will depend on your circumstances. For me, thankfulness includes everything. We are told that ‘in everything, give thanks’. This includes both the good and tough times. But why should we be thankful for the tough times?

Can I be grateful when I am facing a tough time?

While it is hard to see the good in the hardships, we learn valuable lessons from them. Tough times are part of life, but having a thankful attitude helps us appreciate the positives. In these moments, we can learn resilience, patience, and strength. We also learn to appreciate life’s simple moments. Many more valuable lessons come depending on the circumstance.

A heart of gratitude helps us to improve our perspective and see the world differently. When we face tough times, we can learn to be resilient. This means we can recover quickly or spring back when we are faced with adversity. For example, a business may incur losses. Still, when they master the ways to handle it, they can recover and move ahead faster.

Another lesson we can learn in a storm of life is to be patient. Nobody wishes to be in a tough time that lasts long! When this happens, we can choose to focus on the positive aspect that come with it. Sometimes we are stuck in a situation that needs quick solutions. But, instead, we wait for the longest time! It will seem tough, but still, in the midst of that, we learn patience as a virtue. When we develop patience, we become content with what we have, hence improving our well being. We also become grateful and hope to learn something that will help us view the situation differently.

One important lesson I’ve learned from tough times is to appreciate life’s simple moments. We may not have everything we need now, and that’s okay. In time, things will get better. Sometimes we feel lost and struggle to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, with patience, everything can become beautiful. This helps with our mental wellness because by being grateful, we increase our chances of being happy and optimistic. This will as well improve our physical health. Check out this post on mental wellness https://getsimplyinspired.com/how-to-prioritize-mental-wellness-as-we-navigate-busy-lifestyles/,

Looking for a job, wanting to pay off debts, or seeking help with tuition can be challenging. Poverty, bitterness, and guilt can be difficult to navigate. Dealing with illness is also challenging, just to mention a few. Whatever your situation, when the right time arrives, everything feels lighter. So hang in there, keep hope alive, keep moving ahead, and keep praying. Be hopeful and trust that everything will work out for your good. Deal with situations that are under your control and leave the rest to God.

Is gratefulness related to science?

Here is a link to scientifically proven benefits of thankfulness https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201504/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-of-gratitude

Lessons I Learned from The Canada Geese

I took this picture of the Canada geese in the summer of 2025. I was just doing my errands when I came across them. It was a beautiful sight to see. The geese were walking, the male and female geese were at the front and back respectively. All the goslings were trailing one ahead of the other.

As I observed the birds walking majestically, I thought about patience. The male and female geese were patient in taking care of the eggs. Their dedication ensured that one day the eggs hatch. That period requires consistency. Probably the birds did not fly far from the eggs. And when they hatched, the family of geese walked gracefully knowing well that they are past the situation. They were set for new beginnings! They moved ahead in confidence. Isn’t that beautiful!

Note:

• Never lose hope
• Focus on yourself
• Appreciate the simplicity of life
• Be grateful and practice forgiveness
• keep hope alive when situations are tough

Well, all said and done, I urge you to think on what to be thankful for. Count, name them, and you will be surprised how many things you can be thankful for. Encourage family members and friends to do so, and when you gather, be grateful!

That’s it for now. Happy Thanksgiving!