A New Way to be Grateful

I've learnt that gratitude is an antidote not just for my envy, but to repel others' as well

I realized how easily I can dismiss my accomplishments. How I can feel guilty for growing and even prospering. But that’s my dis-ease manipulating me. The truth is, I worked hard to get to where I am today. I was mindful and purposeful. I set clear intentions and I did work to see my hopes transform into something palpable.

I’m often tempted to recoil from success. I even struggle to acknowledge success already attained. My instinct is to deny or belittle my growth, in order to pacify the envy or anger of others. But when I acknowledge that I got to where I am through hard work and discipline, and that I deserve the good things in my life today, I can feel less guilty for having things that others might not.

In having healthy boundaries I have found that I can possess my gifts without guilt, and that gratitude is the perfect defender against not only my own shortcomings, but against the shortcomings of others when I feel under attack. That was a very interesting discovery for me, and it’s resulted in even more readiness to stand firm when I feel someone is trying to control me or minimize my autonomy.

Photo by Huper by Joshua Earle on Unsplash