We have all heard the phrase, "count your blessings," but I don't think any of us have really stopped to count or write down all of the ways God blesses us. We may take a moment to acknowledge that God has our back, but we can also forget that just as quickly. When life gets rough and everything and everyone seems like they're against us, we are quick to forget the good things God has done.
It is usually the negative things in our life that stick out, making it much easier to miss the goodness going on. We fixate on the bad and overlook the beautiful. When our mind does this, we can easily point out the things wrong with every situation. "I hate that I have to get up early to go to work," "The girl who sits next to me in class types so loudly," "It is so hot outside today, I don't want to walk." All of these things make our gratitude levels plummet, leaving us the victim of pessimism.
If you have ever been in this situation (let's be honest, we all have), this black hole sucks us in way too easily. However, it is not hard to get out of. The first step is to be self-aware. Try to catch yourself when these thoughts arise. You may not get them every time, but one optimistic thought can make the next thought more positive, resulting in a more positive attitude. Then all of a sudden, you are seeing situations and experiences as blessings more and more often. You begin to see God in everything. This is one of the coolest things we can experience as human beings.
In my own life, I remember driving home from a concert late at night and being pulled over by a police officer. I was speeding and he ended up giving me a ticket. Though previously, I would have been pretty upset and angry with the cop who gave it to me, I wasn't. The officer warned me that there are a lot of deer that cross that highway causing many accidents, that's why the speed limit is 55, not 70. Surprisingly, I was so at peace when he gave me the ticket. Not that I wanted one or wanted to pay for it, but that that officer pulling me over could have saved me from hitting a deer and getting in a car accident. Would that have happened if he didn't pull me over? I have no idea. But, there is a chance that it could have and seeing God working at that moment gave me such gratitude toward the man who pulled me over. I know it sounds weird, but seeing life in this way, situations good and bad will lead to a much happier life.
Happiness is tied with gratitude. When we are more thankful, we tend to be happier. When we continuously want more and more, never stopping to be grateful for what we have, there is silent desperation we feel. So, be thankful. Count your blessings. Write them down. Give yourself a tangible way of seeing God work in your life. When you do this, you will start to see more and more of God and appreciate everything in life!