Be grateful for what you have! But what about the stuff you aren't grateful for? Should you be grateful for it too? Yes and no. Here is my theory. Everything in our lives is a reflection of our own internal brew. The brew of fears, love, thoughts, emotions, self-talk, etc. What the world is doing is reflecting back to us this internal energy.

Thank the mirror for showing you the negativity you are internally brewing. Take a look at the lesson you are drawing on yourself about your internal negativity, and use that thing you don't like to shift your awareness and thus your energy.

How Low Will You Go?

We have all heard the down-and-out stories of how people hit rock bottom and that was the catalyst for the rising up. We have heard those stories of triumph over the impossible negativity we see in the world. We almost treasure those stories more than any other. We love the drama of the hero’s journey. But do you love your own hero’s journey?

We are overcoming little "rock bottoms" all of the time. It is our success over our struggles that gives us the trust in ourselves to take risks and carry on. It is the success in our moments of weakness, that remind us of our strength. Sometimes we need the big dramas to shake off the big life stories we carry around. But we don’t have to do it that way.

You know the idea that the universe whispers what you need to learn, then taps you on the shoulder, and then if you still don’t listen, drops a piano on your head? Well, what phase are you in right now with your lesson? Hint, you don’t have to wait for the piano.

Gratitude Goes Along Way

Give some gratitude to the struggles. You are not thanking the thing or situation you don't like, but you are thanking the experience that is drawing awareness to things you were not aware of before. Through the awareness you now have the ability to change.

You can choose to change for the better or worse, but you have a choice. Showing gratitude for the awareness, grace, and the ability to see beyond that terrible thing is important because it allows us to choose a new experience that isn't so terrible. The people, things, and experiences you struggle with most are usually your best healers.

Reflect

Spend a minute sitting with your current struggles. They may be personal or worldly. Consider these questions.

• What in your life are you having trouble being grateful for?

• Are you are in a mini rock bottom or a full blown one?

• What challenge are you trying to overcome?

• What is the situation showing you about yourself?

• Do you like what you see?

• How can you shift your perspective of this "awful" thing to something you can embrace and use as a catalyst for change? A change you can be grateful for.

Give thanks for the struggles that give us the ability to see the depth of our own souls. Do not resist the journey for that only causes more suffering in the end.