Reality Check Yo'Self Before You Wreck Yo'Self: The Little Things
- valexandracolon
- Jul 19, 2016
- 3 min read
I think I need a reality check. Lately I have found myself to be a bit fussy. “It’s hot!” I exclaim as I turn up my A/C. “There’s nothing to eat…” as I open my refrigerator with perfectly good fruit that I don’t feel like cutting. I often forget about the little blessings that I have every day. There are people that go every day without the comforts I at times take for granted. So what do I need to do when I have those moments and I realize that I’m being ungrateful? I take step back and re-evaluate. I am no angel people. I forget just like I’m sure every one of you. What’s important is that we have the capability to reflect.
Reflection on the things you have doesn’t have to seem like a punishment. Sometimes when I think of everything I have, I feel guilty and that’s not the point. Looking at everything you have and gaining perspective is supposed to ground you, to humble you. When I get to that point, after occasionally throwing a temper tantrum (lol) it’s unbelievably calming. This works for other things as well.
I sometimes deal with bouts of depression. I’m an anxious soul and I at times get down. At one particular time in my life things were rather bleak. One of the things I was told to help me out was to keep a positivity journal. Every day I made lists of things that made me smile, that made me grateful, moments that made me happy, and little by little my perspective started to change. Once I got out of that hole I stopped journaling but when I look back at what a difference it made for me I realized that, that exercise could be applicable for so many other things as well.
I think we all have moments where we can legitimately need to tell our inner divas “to check yo’self before you wreck yo’self.” No one wants to become one of those people that completely takes life for granted. So what can we do? One thing is taking time to be grateful for those daily blessings. I know that’s something that helped me during that time in my life that I had my own little dark cloud perpetually raining on me. Why wouldn’t that same reflection work to remind me of all the great things I am lucky to experience in my life? So to “check myself” I’m going to make a list of things that shed a little light on my heart. Wanna see what really makes me happy? What I’m grateful for? Here’s what it would look like (in no particular order):
My family and friends, I’m very fortunate with the people I have in my life and I’m so grateful for them.
I have a job, and one that for the most part I enjoy.
I’ve been lucky enough to know what it feels like to fall in love and have that love returned. Some people go their whole lives without that. <3
I have a reliable car.
I was able to go to college. I worked my butt off for that but not everyone has had the opportunities I have had.
Warm sheets. Sorry, there is nothing better than fresh sheets out of the dryer…even in Summer, I don’t care!
Having a sense of humor and the ability to laugh at myself. There are moments when I know I should be more serious but I can’t help but giggle at life. Sometimes it’s just too funny!
I have food in my fridge, even if I don’t want to cut it up sometimes!
Going to the beach. Nothing is more soothing to the soul than being by the great blue abyss!
This. Being able to share Spread A Little Love with ANYONE is such a gift and I am absolutely adoring this venture.
Once I start writing I don’t want to stop. I could go on and on about the things that make me happy, the things that I’m grateful for and that’s the point. Reflecting on the little things is exactly what brings you back to reality. It’s what keeps you going, and what makes your experience worthwhile. So if you get into one of those slumps where all you can think about is all the stuff that isn’t going your way, or you realize that you may be acting a little bit ungrateful, just take a step back and look at what you do have and smile because things aren’t always as bad as we think it is. <Insert high five to the universe here! ;) >
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