Practice Makes a Practice

 Gratitude practice isn’t about pacifying our painful or challenging times—it’s about recognizing them and finding self-compassion as we do the work.  Alex Elle

…And the work is never done. There is no mythical place called “Perfection”. There is no end goal in the practice of feeling and expressing gratitude. There is a daily lifting of heaviness, a lightness brought into awareness, and the noticing of the Good which is always around. 

In finding the self-compassion to do the work, I am practicing the gift of Love. I am learning, with each “painful or challenging time”, to see how I can best find my strength to either move through or go around obstacles. I am acknowledging my own capabilities, and learning to be gentle with myself.

Learning to uncover those things which offer me joy and serenity makes the obvious good in my life stand out even more. I’m quicker to notice the positives and not take them for granted. I become better at shining a beam on the less-desirable moments to find the good and allow it to shine.

I am grateful for the concept of self-compassion, and for the knowing that self-care is not selfishness. It is a vital part of learning and growing. It is encouragement to get up and try again, and to do the work of each moment, each challenge, each time things don’t go my way. 

And—to be delighted when they do!