There are moments in life (sometimes days and weeks) when nothing seems to be going right. Anger, despair, and frustration take over. I allow myself to become disconnected, to feel sorry for myself, to forget all the moments when things are going well, the friends I have, the love of my children and family, the kindness of strangers, the beauty of a sunrise.
Then I remember that almost every problem or obstacle that I have to deal with is a result of my own choices. I look at the world around me and remember that there are not many who are so fortunate. When I can bring myself in a state of gratitude then I become connected to life again. Joy, beauty, and hope break re-emerge and shine through. There will always be moments of sorrow, of despair, of anger. These are legitimate and often necessary emotions. But I strive to always come back to place of gratitude, to remember that with all (and maybe because of all) its troubles, life is good.