I can practice grateful living in the presence of pain by staying awake to where my mind is wandering. Am I talking to my self in a negative way? I can use the tools of the 3 questions to filter unwholesome thoughts and feelings.
Ask:
1. Is what I’m thinking true?
2. Is it useful or necessary?
3. Is it rooted in peace love and truth.
If the thought doesn’t make it through all the gateways then let it go.
Thoughts like this pain is going to last forever would be an example. Thoughts and feelings are impermanent. Letting go is the key.

I’m growing in confidence to trust life and to let go of the ego more and more.
Growing in the wisdom of slowing down and opening up to whatever this moment is offering is a beautiful practice a lot like gardening.
Growing the seeds of patience, understanding, compassion, and insight is a full time job! Slowing down and stopping to tend this garden is essential. I’m grateful to see the seeds taking root and sprouting.
The weeding is also essential because I see those old habits/ negative emotions sometimes popping up and if I can catch them right when they are occurring they lose there growing momentum.
Seeds have to be cultivated and tended . Growing in present moment awareness of which seeds to water and which to uproot takes focus.

Some of what I thought were the worse things that could ever happen to have very often turned out to be the things that have made me become more resilient .
Today’s quote reminds me of my attitude when these “god awful” events were occurring.
I was full of fear and had a resistance against what was happening.
Now I see, of course, in hindsight, that these events were gifts.
Trusting life completely, means to let go of the struggle against what is and say yes to life!
It does take enormous amounts of courage to open your heart and say yes to life no matter what!
Thank you brother David I’m grateful for this question because it helps me reflect on these last three years with gratitude!

I can show up to life with more integrity by being awake and aware of feelings arising. With each moment feelings arising can sweep me away or I can consciously choose how to respond rather than react.
When I am aware of my intention each moment I can change the habits that I may have with a reactive mind.
So if I want more integrity then I need to plant the seeds to grow integrity. What is integrity?
To me integrity means having ethical conduct.
This means to me to remember to act, speak and be ethical throughout my day.
Speak the truth and do my best to help others.
Be loving and compassionate. Meet challenging circumstances with respectful attitude. Meet each moment with an attitude of gratitude: saying yes to life with kindness.

Journey,
Bring a harsh critic is a challenge, because it’s a mind that constantly judges and grasps. Your friend maybe right in that when our minds are in that mode we are usually very harsh on ourselves also. I know what you mean because I have been taught to look for what’s missing soften in people because I’m a teacher.
After practicing gratitude as well as mindfulness I am learning how to see what’s available in everything around me rather than what’s always lacking or missing. It’s a wonderful opportunity to open up the heart to joyful action.