(Updated 11/26/2023)

When was the last time you listed things you enjoy?

You know, the things that make you glad to have endured the emotional hurdles that we’re all facing in life?

Some will refer to that list as counting your blessings, which, of course, they are. I have several. Despite their uncomfortable (former) connections, those blessings gave me the time and space needed to clear my head and make more posts about.

The blessings, or whatever you wish to call them, are important to take in. They’re a reminder of the good you deserve to feel. Feelings that you deserved in place of darker times.

And depending on the companies you keep, it’s what you want for others that don’t reflect said dark days. Or be a constant reminder of them when people refuse to change for the better like you have.

I have felt the blessings through many people, no matter how similar or different we are. Ones that trust and believe that I’m working to be better than I was when they first met me.

Some of them met me at much scarier times, but they don’t hold them against me. Not as much as I have towards myself.

Sometimes I still do, they those friends remind me it doesn’t have to be that way.

I’m grateful for their willingness to see what I finally saw in myself. That being the person capable of looking at even a part of that list to keep me from regressing to the unhealed days.

From choosing other ways to live life. Other reasons to stay in it.

Feel the power of your lists of joy. Their power is undeniable.

D.F.