Over the past year, I have gone through many personal and intrinsic changes that ultimately changed how I see and interpret the outside world. These changes were influenced by family, friends, and even random strangers on the street. One of the central changes I have made is simply learning to be grateful. I still don’t fully understand the concept even though it seems so simple. However, I feel I understand it enough to share with you what I have learned. Hopefully, this helps those of you who feel just as I did before I started this journey.

Last year in my sophomore year of college, I was facing many problems with change and transition. I feel confident enough to say that I did face a minor episode of depression. I wasn't motivated, could only see the negative in situations, had very low self-esteem and refused to talk to anyone about this. On top of this, I had gone through a career change (which was for the better, but at this time didn't help things) and multiple other problems. I was bottling all of this up until I had my advising appointment to discuss the next steps in the teacher education program. She had laid out the next two years of classes and gave my a good outlook. However, at that time, I felt an extreme rush of pressure and anger. I exited the appointment went into my car and broke down. I couldn't take anything anymore. Everything hit me at once, and I felt the world on my shoulders. This would be my first “Storm” as I refer to it now. This extreme rush was all of my bottled up feelings coming to the surface and I couldn’t do anything to stop it.

Michael Duncan, author of “Modern Yoga” explains this onrush of emotions as a healthy process. He says, “…your body is always telling you what you need to do for it…It is so important for us to learn the art of dealing with the pressures of life in a way that respects our bodies” (Duncan 49). Your body knows when enough is enough, and our daily life ultimately must come second to the well-being of our body and mind. Otherwise, everything comes crashing down. After reading this book and taking a step back, I realized I was WAY too involved in my career rather than my school work. I was giving 110% effort to work, 100% effort to school, and like 12% effort to my well-being. Now, I’m not a math major... but that equals a lot more than 100%. No wonder I was going crazy… literally. I decided to take a break from giving that much effort to everything. I started running again, doing Crossfit and reading for fun. I was taking care of myself. Which finally leads me into gratitude.

An amazing friend from my job, Liz, directed me on the path of gratitude with the book The Secret. For those of you who don’t know, The Secret is an amazing book by Rhonda Byrne, and it helps its readers discover the power behind gratitude and truly understanding what it means to be grateful. In it, she talks about how being grateful for the things you already have helps you gain a more positive outlook on life, which consequently, draws more positivity towards you.

Wake up each day and remind yourself that you woke up again! You have another day, you have another chance to have a great day. Instead of dwelling on that embarrassing mistake of yesterday, focus on fixing that mistake today. Look up an inspiring quote before going into work, Pinterest has a billion of them. After work or school, try dedicating time to improving yourself. go to the gym, go for a walk, read a novel, text your friends, go on social media, go out for a drink. You deserve that time! Never deny yourself of that, be grateful for that time.

Start slow, and little by little, your days will get better. It won't happen overnight, and it won't happen without effort. If you are dedicated to changing yourself for the better, you will put in the effort.

I know you can do it.