Everyone always says to be thankful for the good things in life, and rightfully so. It's understandable and you definitely should be thankful for the positive things, people, or situations you have encountered. Yet, it seems like we just solely disregard the bad things that have happened to us. We like to pretend that these things never happened, never existed, are simply a figment of our imagination. This is where I see the issue at hand. Despite the social norm, I am extremely thankful for the bad things that have happened to me. The people I have met, situations I have endured, and thoughts that have lingered in my head have made absolutely incredible changes in my life, and for those changes, I am eternally grateful. I know it seems crazy, but hear me out: You need to be thankful for the bad things that happen, and here is why.
These things that you cringe at the very thought of have actually shaped you into the person that you are today. We are not defined by our scars, but they are a part of us; a part of our everlasting story that we call life. With that thought, the bad things we have endured do not define us, but they are a part of our story. We have made it through the hardest part, we fought through the pain we had dealt to us. We escaped the person who made our lives hell. We beat whatever bad feelings we had conjured up in our minds. We survived. From here, we must grow and use our bad experiences to not only make the world a better place, but we must help make ourselves better, happier, and stronger. It is possible, but it is only possible because we have fought through the bad, and have been shaped by it all for the greater good.
You will soon realize that pushing through these negative life events made you so incredibly strong. In the moment, it's normal to feel weak.To feel like your world is crumbling right before your very eyes and all you can do is watch. But this pain does not go unrewarded. Unbeknownst to you, you are building your own emotional army that will protect you from future wars. Every ounce of pain that you feel makes you stronger, able to take on the next blow that comes your way. Every tear that you shed builds a barrier around your heart, protecting you from those who try to break it. Every person who tries to steal your spirit will open your eyes and make you wise, and soon you will be able to spot a thief from 10 miles away. You are stronger than you think you are.
So now, you are stronger, wiser, and have been shaped into a better person. What's next? You are able to help those who have not yet overcome their battles. You should be thankful for experiencing and surviving those bad things because now, you are able to help someone who feels incredibly alone. You are that outstretched hand, the life line someone so desperately needs to grab onto in order to be pulled from the darkness. You have the power to help save someone, help mend a broken soul. Go out in the world and help heal those who are stuck in the dark.
No one enjoys going through the bad times, the dark times, or pain that seems so absolutely unbearable. But during the season of thankfulness, we need to step back and look at the bigger picture. We overcame our darkness and came out with the stronger. You may have scars and wounds, but you are capable of healing. You will heal from this. Take the strength you have earned and do good unto the world. Be thankful for the bad because without it, who knows where you could be.
