This has been a hard year and, oftentimes, a dark year but always there is light if you look hard enough for it. It may be just a speck, but focus on that speck. What you focus on grows. Always there is something for which to be thankful; maybe a stranger smiled at you, maybe you took a breath without pain, maybe you woke up on time, maybe your child didn't talk back when you asked them to do something. Whatever it may be, focus on that and speak your thanks out loud or write it down.
According to a Harvard Health article, "In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships." https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier
Darkness, fear, and sorrow surround us but so do light and peace and joy. It is a choice and many times a struggle. As often as possible, choose light. Choose peace. Choose joy. Focus on them as much as you can and watch them come alive in your life. There will be dark days but keep looking for the light and keep giving thanks.
As Max Ehrmann said in his poem, Desiderata, "With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."
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