Gratitude Makes You Stronger.

This quote made me reflect on something I’ve learned while traveling.

I came across this quote.

“The struggle ends when the gratitude begins.” Neale Donald Walsch.

It’s beautiful because it’s true. Reflecting on what we should be grateful for whenever we face struggle and hardship can shift our perspective. It’s not easy. Sometimes it’s the hardest thing in the world, but it’s within our power.

However dark the day, there is always something to be grateful for.

As you get a little older, people and things vanish from your life at an increasing frequency. People, relationships, and places. You come to the realization nothing will last forever. You may never get the chance if you don’t appreciate things when you have them.

Traveling highlighted this to me in a powerful way. There are times when I’ve had very little and learned to adore the simple things. Also, I’ve met many people who inspired me that I think I may never meet again.

I’ve lost track of the people I’ve met who changed me somehow for the better. There have been some painful goodbyes, yet I want to focus on how lucky I am to have met these people.

The same can be said for the places I’ve been to. Sometimes the feeling is that I will probably never step foot on this ground again in my life, and for most places, that’s probably true.

I feel grateful just to have been there. Just because you can’t keep an experience forever doesn’t make it worthless. Everything will vanish eventually, and there is a deeper meaning in finality.

I think about my family a lot these days. It’s been 4 years since I’ve seen most of them face to face. I think about my home country often. The natural places and the familiar settings. The kinds of comforts that only your home country can give you. Totally subjective for each culture.

It’s incredible the number of small things I miss. I’d trade half of my current possessions to sit down for a brew and an episode of Columbo with my grandfather, who is getting older and older.

I’m not saying I would move back tomorrow, but I miss the comforts and interactions of being amongst family. I’m lucky I have these memories…