2015 has been a year of great learning for me. I’ve learned to look a little more within myself and find creative resources deep within that help me to stay balanced, hopeful and above all grateful.
While I can go on listing all the wonderful things both big and small that I am grateful for in 2015, there’s one particular blessing I’d like to focus on.
As each year passes, I become surer that life has a way of bringing back to me lessons that I need to learn. When I think I’ve passed and have learned what I need to, I am presented with a situation that makes me realize that I’ve still got miles to go.
Gratitude For A Lesson Learned in 2015
One lesson that I keep having to relearn is to stay away from people and situations that take away my joy and leave me with self-doubts. I managed to divorce drama, and it took a lot of inner strength to do so. I’ve also identified some key people in my life who through their behavior, remarks and ability to lay guilt on me, create a lot of unease in my life. In the last few months of the year, I’ve managed to keep contact with these people to the minimum. This might come across as being negative, but I know from the peace I experience that it is not!
While I owned my feelings and choices, I also used a practice of gratitude to make sure that I did not get bitter or vengeful. The fact that I had José to vent to and that he supports me in my decisions is a big blessing too. He has, over the years, been cautioning me about these people, but I loved to imagine that I’m above it all! That I finally allowed better sense to prevail and listened to him and trusted my inner voice, makes me grateful.
Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are still steeped in hurt and resentment. It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of a complaint. – Henri Nouwen
I am most grateful for these people, because they’ve taught me more about myself and my ability to learn, adapt and stay true to myself. I came to realize that they are never going to be what I want them to be – they are who they are – and I, probably, don’t live up to what they want me to be either. Peace followed this realization.
Now, I am able to communicate with these people, yet stand my ground and not feel guilty about my choices. Emotionally, I have dared greatly. This is the greatest lesson of 2015 and one that I am most grateful for.
What are you most grateful for in 2015?
This is my last post for the Gratitude Circle which I was happy to co-host with Vidya Sury for a year. Come January 2016, I am signing off from this commitment. Vidya will continue to host this feature.
Do join us this month by linking in your gratitude post. The linky will be open for a month.
Divorcing drama — that’s inspirational!
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Thanks, Steve!
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What am I grateful for? I still need to think…I am grateful for having a job. For having a boss who is very understanding. For having my mom with me. For a husband who has let me have my way 😉 For those friends who stood with me through ups and downs…For the time I got to read the books I did..
Hope you had a Merry Christmas, Corrine. Wishing you lots of happiness and peace this coming year.
Great list of thankfuls, Lata. Yes, we had a quiet but meaningful Christmas. I wish you much more of what you are grateful for in 2016!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Gratitude Is Being Awake
I’m glad you’re grateful for the tough lessons learned. I think I need to find a way to do that 🙂
It’s not been easy, Lizzi, but so worth it!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..20 Small Ways To Make 2016 More Meaningful #MondayMusings
Way to go! You’re an inspiration. Best wishes!
Thanks, Darla! Wish you the best too.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..20 Small Ways To Make 2016 More Meaningful #MondayMusings
My husband and kid, I am most grateful for them! 🙂 I am also learning to keep negativity and dramatic people away from me. But that’s not as easy as I thought. I am thankful for you too, Corinne.You are an inspiration. 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Vinitha. So glad we connected better in 2015. Here’s to a wonderful 2016 for you and your lovely little family! ♥
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Thank you for sharing, Corinne. Wishing you a happy 2016!
Vidya Sury recently posted..My Growing Gratitude Circle #TalesOf2015
Wishing you the same, Vidya! And good luck with the Gratitude Circle.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..My Word For 2016 Is Simplify #woty
Thanks, Corinne. Perhaps you could link to my December Gratitude post! 🙂
Vidya Sury recently posted..My Growing Gratitude Circle #TalesOf2015
Just did! 🙂
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..My Word For 2016 Is Simplify #woty
Divorcing drama, that’s something I need to work on, it can get difficult when close relatives are involved.
2015 was a lovely year, personally. Learnt and grew so much as a person. Grateful to all that came my way! 🙂
Wishing you a very happy 2016 dear Corinne! Love and Hugs!
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