Reflections of gratitude glint unexpectedly in unforgiving lands. An unforeseen moment of gratitude shocks us into awareness. Whispers of gratitude remind us to be here now as we find respite tucked into the jagged rocks of suffering.
It seems counterintuitive that within suffering are shards of gratitude. But, when we acknowledge even the tiniest awareness of gratitude, we receive enough light to navigate the murky shadow-casting space of suffering. By reframing, we find tiny shards of gratitude.
Over the past five years I have become expert in the art of reframing. But, in those moments when I am discouraged and find myself paralyzed by a scary reality, it is difficult to understand that I have a choice of living in suffering or moving beyond the grip of fear suffering produces. In those moments suffering is my what is.
I do not have to stay in this frame of suffering is what is. I can accept the challenge to see beyond my life circumstances — to courageously see suffering as what is not. Suffering is not who we are. It is a life challenge we navigate. Along this path are splinters of gratitude inviting us to pick them up. With curious daring we piece the shards together. This vessel of gratitude, no matter how tiny, holds life as it is.
I am not saying that any of this is easy. Some days I’d rather stay in bed with my clowdering cats instead of searching for shards of gratitude. The reality is that no matter how good we are at living in gratitude, we still might find our self mired in suffering. We just cannot seem to get past pain and defeat. Reframing takes limitless courage and the curiously daring belief that this too shall pass [let it be soon].
In moments of despair I remember, gratitude doesn’t make our vessel whole. Sometimes gratitude is a small, inconsequential, and easily missed shard that gives us a new way of perceiving our reality. With trust and awareness, we see the healing light glinting off that shard. Often that reflection of gratitude is enough to trigger the energy to try one more time — to be courageous and curiously daring as we prepare to meet the challenge of suffering.
Even a spark of gratitude turns our suffering upside-down. In the reframing we discover what truly is. Our reframing does not banish the suffering; rather, we learn the lesson and meet the challenge inherent in our suffering. We befriend the suffering as we discover its purpose. Through gratitude we heal those parts wounded by suffering.
Sometimes suffering refuses to leave; it clings to us. Maybe we haven’t learned the lesson or perhaps there are so many lessons embedded in the suffering we do not know where to begin. After an extended period of perverse suffering, it may get harder and harder to find those shards of gratitude. Do. Not. Give. Up. The shards of gratitude are still there. In their anonymity they might be the only things holding you together during this time of suffering.
If you cannot find the splinter of gratitude, find someone who can. Then, hold the splinter in your hands. Breathe in gratitude. Allow it to course through your body. Befriend your gratitude for for it moves us through suffering into joy-filled respite.
In gratitude for each of you who read this blog. You are my shards of gratitude on this day.
Vanessa F. Hurst, ms, is a Mindful Coach, Compassion Consultant, Professional Speaker, and Author who weaves her inner wisdom into all she touches. Vanessa offers Neural Synchrony™ sessions to assist clients in navigating their life paths with intuition. Her books are A Constellation of Connections: Contemplative Relationships and Engaging Compassion Through Intent & Action. Contact Vanessa @ vanessa@intentandaction.com for keynotes, programs, and consultations.
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