Gratitude in the Mistakes

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. -Melody Beattie

Many in Facebook land are participating in the "Days of Gratitude" for the month of November; basically listing something or someone they are thankful for everyday. I started with the usual - Justin, my Mom, friends, and of course Zeekers. But on the treadmill this morning, I started thinking about being thankful for the bad times, the bad choices, the mistakes. Is that possible? Am just trying to romanticize the past?

I have made my share of decisions that turned out "wrong" - I spent a lot of years making choices based upon pleasing others. I was absolutely terrifed to let someone down, to hurt someones feelings, or to not live up to someone else's expectations of me. I suddenly had an awakening in my early 30's - it took an ultimate 'bad decision' to wake me up and give me the courage to start living my life for me.


I reflect on 5 years ago and the pain I was in and I can truly say I am grateful for it; every tear, every angry word, every mistake equaled a lesson learned. The mistakes piled up to be a giant mountain that I almost allowed to crush me but I found the courage to face the consequences and to make changes to me and my life. I believe everything is about balance; I couldn't savor the true joy I feel today without the true pain I put myself through in the past.

Good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from bad decisions. ~Author Unknown

So...yea, I can find gratitude in the bad choices, in the mistakes - every one led me to where I am today. I am O.K. with me today, I sleep well at night, I am surrounded by love, and I laugh alot.....what more do I need?