Gratitude for What Hasn’t Happened

Missed opportunities

Delayed responses

“Bad” timing

Failures

Waiting…

FOR ALL THE TIMES WE’VE WONDERED WHY, AND THEN DISCOVERED THE BLESSING OR OPPORTUNITY ON THE OTHER SIDE (OR ARE STILL LOOKING FOR IT).

This month, we’re looking at gratitude through the lens of lack – not gain – as we acknowledge how the things that haven’t happened yet are often as powerful as those things we’ve already experienced and achieved.

LET’S START WITH SOME REFLECTION:

What have you been waiting for?

How do you feel when things are unfinished or unfulfilled?

Where do you feel this most in your body?

What is one thing you’re hoping will happen soon?

How can you find gratitude in the lack?

I can remember so many times when things didn’t happen according to my timeline. These often were the times when my personal agenda was left unfulfilled and my attitude left bitter. Stuck here, I couldn’t see past my present to realize how it was actively shaping my future because it wasn’t what I had thought I needed.

For nearly a decade, I was committed to making things happen when and how I wanted them to, pushing and hustling and striving until I achieved. But what I didn’t see were the times I missed opportunities because I was too busy doing or was not even aware of their existence. I was so focused on making my agenda my reality, I wasn’t present.

This played out in my quest for the “dream job,” perfect partner, and ideal opportunities to be engaged in my community and make a difference. I was always looking for more, rather than being grounded in what I already had and could rest in.

Over the years, I have learned to trade in my Sharpie for a pencil (with a big eraser!!) when it comes to designing my life. Instead of making sure I “make it happen,” I now create more space and practice pausing instead of pushing forward if things aren’t working.

I listen instead of force.

I accept instead of fight.

I wait.

AND IN WAITING, I DISCOVER MORE GRATITUDE FOR THE LACK, INSTEAD OF WAITING TO BE THANKFUL WHEN (OR IF) THE GAIN ARRIVES.

Through this shift in mindset and action, I’ve taken the worst moments in my life – unexpected tragedies and unplanned misfortunes – and turned them into some of my best seasons of growth and learning.

When you can choose a perspective of thankfulness for the present, instead of pining and planning for the future, life feels fuller and more peaceful. And your future still happens.

Leaving room for life to surprise me has been one of my greatest lessons in overcoming myself and finding gratitude for the things that are yet to happen. It’s not easy, and sometimes it’s downright painful. But it’s always, always worth it.

CHOOSING GRATITUDE

Name one thing that you are harboring now and not able to move past.

What would be your ideal outcome?

Now imagine what would be possible for you if you knew today that this thing would never happen…and you would be better because of it.

How does this make you feel?

What are you afraid of?

What are you ready to accept and let go of?

Notice what you’re thankful for here, rather than focusing on what’s missing.

YOUR INVITATION

Imagine a reality where you knew you already have exactly what you need to find peace, fulfillment, and gratitude with your life.

Here, you slow down and savor the moments, while still getting things done – it’s just that the things look and feel different. Less pushing and proving, more peace.

The things you are so desperate for now don’t seem to matter here. You feel a sense of release, ease, and flow.

And somewhere, in the middle of all the acceptance and thankfulness, you find everything you need and even more than you want.

This month, we invite you to practice expressing gratitude for the lack in your life, instead of resenting it. The positive energy you get will create space for possibility and activate your creativity in so many new and surprising ways. And let us know how this makes a difference for you and what you’re learning!