Thanks For The Bruises

Gratitude is tricky business. It’s easy to say we’re thankful for our crazy family, our friends, for the sturdy roof over our heads. The words tumble off the tongue as easy as a Sunday morning: “I’m so grateful.” And when it’s said, I have no doubt the words are heartfelt, true. But the deepest of gratitude often comes from weathering life’s challenges, from facing the hard stuff head on and growing from it.

It’s said that pain is the touchstone of spiritual growth. We get zapped with life’s zingers. Time and again we are brought to our knees, then manage to stand back up, pick the gravel out piece by tiny piece, and somehow transform into stronger versions of ourselves as a result.

And so, on this Day of Thanks, I say to life: “Thanks for the Bruises.” I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

Thanks to friends and family who were brave enough to tell me the truth about myself nearly six years ago. The journey, painful as it is at times, has changed who I am and I wouldn’t trade it.

Thanks for allowing my heart to be broken. With each crack has come wisdom about how I can better love in return.

Thanks for every job interview that didn’t lead to the “dream job”, because it’s led me to better understand my strengths and weaknesses.

Thanks, Life, for reminding me that I won’t always get my way. I’ve learned much about handling my expectations.

Purple, yellow, black, blue: the bruises, I surmise, will continue to show up in my life just when I need them. And as I weather each one as it comes my way, I will try to remember to wear it proudly, knowing that tomorrow, or next week, or next year, will come the lesson it was designed to teach me.

Happy Thanksgiving, all.

xo

#thankful #gratitude