Here’s What I’m Grateful for

Every day, try to find something to be grateful forPhoto by Gabrielle Henderson https://unsplash.com/photos/M4lve6jR26E

Before I get started on this week’s prompt, I’d like to give a special thanks to our amazing editor, Kern Carter, for letting me pitch this week’s writing prompt. I was feeling very discouraged as a writer and wondered if writing was even worth pursuing anymore. I wanted to give up. But reading everyone’s stories here at CRY has woken the writer within me and keeps me going through the hard times in life. I’m very grateful to all of you for sharing your stories and happy to have a safe and welcoming space to express myself. Thank you!

My Family

Photo from Gracious Quotes: https://graciousquotes.com/family-quotes/

I’m incredibly grateful for my husband and kids. Growing up, family life wasn’t easy for me. I grew up around verbal abuse and neglect and never felt safe to truly be me. Being a loving and nurturing person, being a wife and Mom is one of my highest achievements. My family teaches me something new each day.

I’m grateful for my husband’s strength, and I admire how he keeps me grounded when my head’s usually 99% of the time up in the clouds. He pulls me out of my depression and anxious moods by calmly talking me through things and encourages me to do something I love to do to boost my spirits again. I’m grateful to have a rock to lean on when things get hard.

I’m grateful for my two daughters. Although parenting them isn’t easy, the personalities of my oldest and youngest shine through in their way, and they have taught me patience. My youngest, who’s an extrovert, teaches me that it’s okay to be silly, sassy, determined, and full of flair, and with my oldest, I learn to embrace introversion. Our shared introversion helps me empathize with her more often. She teaches me calmness, patience, grace, and to speak up when needed. I’m grateful for their kind spirits and that I get to watch them grow up and learn each day.

My Heart and Soul

Photo from Quote Fancy: https://quotefancy.com/quote/8587/Vincent-van-Gogh-I-put-my-heart-and-soul-into-my-work-and-I-have-lost-my-mind-in-the

In my previous article, Wearing My Mask for Protection, I mentioned that I was guarding my sensitive side and that I didn’t want to make myself vulnerable. That still rings true. I’m grateful for my heart and soul. I love being a sensitive, kind-hearted, and warm person. However, I’ve become more guarded about whom I open up with. I learned to set boundaries, take care of myself by keeping my emotions in check, and that I validate my feelings and the feelings of others. My sensitivity is a strength and one worth protecting. I’m grateful I have the opportunity to show my heart and soul through my actions and encouraging words. This brings me to the third thing I’m grateful for.

My Writing

Photo from Quote Fancy: https://quotefancy.com/quote/3130/Ana-s-Nin-The-role-of-a-writer-is-not-to-say-what-we-can-all-say-but-what-we-are-unable

Last but not least, I’m grateful for the gift of writing. Writing has always been an outlet to let my feelings and emotions flow after a long day of facing the world. Letting all the words out that were endlessly swirling in my head, creating something great out of nothing, putting all of these complicated feelings I couldn’t verbally express, and playing around with words fascinated me and still does to this day. Even writing about the mundane things in life has me appreciating the written word that much more. I’m grateful to want to keep writing and have the eagerness to learn more about how to further develop my craft. I was given a gift and seeing others pursue their talents, no matter how hard or how many rejections hit them, has given me hope to never give up on the things I want most in life.

Even if I don’t become a famous author, I’d like to know that my words matter. That my writing has impacted at least one person out there, and I feel fulfilled knowing I’ve created something good for the world to see. I’ll never stop learning as a writer, and would one day love to help other aspiring writers to achieve their dreams. I don’t know what the future will hold, but I do truly hope I’ll still be writing, even when I reach old age. I’m grateful for the written word and the impact that writing makes.

There are many more things that I’m grateful for, like journaling, music, art, community, love, friendship, the seasons, and more. For this prompt, I figured I’d cover the things I’m grateful for the most. Thank you to those who read this, and I’m deeply grateful to all of you!

[image error]

Here’s What I’m Grateful for was originally published in CRY Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.