By Amy Sonnenberg
It’s easy for me to slip into a mindset where many aspects of life feel overwhelmingly challenging. It often seems like nothing is going right, especially when one problem after another keeps arising, making it harder for me to stay afloat. However, through learning, experience, and my own therapy, I’ve come to validate this negative mindset. In the past, large animals posed real threats to humans, so we needed to be alert to dangers. But for most of us today, a tiger is no longer chasing us. Nevertheless, I imagine that each one of you reading this could name several issues in life that feel just as threatening—like a tiger—at least in terms of how your body responds. You might feel tense, with a racing or foggy mind, as if you are being overwhelmed by metaphorical tigers.
One way I’ve learned to cope with life’s challenges is by finding ordinary moments of gratitude. For instance, I appreciate the joy and privilege of eating fresh food and drinking clean water. As the fall breeze sends leaves cascading from the trees, they create a delightful sound as they flutter on the pavement. Supporting a loved one during a tough time can be challenging, but I feel grateful to be there for them. For some, a simple smile from a stranger as they pass by may be the only human contact they have that day, fostering gratitude in that moment.
My point is that life can often feel heavy. However, when we take a moment to be present and consciously look for something to be grateful for, it can be surprising how much it lifts our spirits, even if just for that brief moment.