The notion that every experience and happening in life is a potential blessing can help me lean into life as it is. This helps me remember that all joys and difficulties of life are opportunities for growth, wisdom, and gaining compassion.

Even as I busily work on my schoolwork for these last couple weeks, I can remember the gifts of this day by remembering the fact that I am alive and have a brain that is functioning and developing through it all. That is a very profound reality when I think of it. Electrical signals and neurons and influencing and being influenced by my conscious decisions, thoughts, and experiences! That’s incredible!

Being stuck in my head all the time hinders me from fully living into and acting on what matters. Being present to what is happening in the moment and what needs to be done right now helps me.

My struggles with anxiety and depression have helped me to develop resilience during difficult times. I’ve learned to see hope for the future where it is difficult and have learned to be appreciative of the good days I have.

Years ago, I went through a spiritual crisis where I had questions about some of the scary passages in the Bible. While it wasn’t pleasant at the time, the questions I had eventually led me to learn all about world religions, science, psychology, philosophy, spirituality, political sociology, and various other matters. I have gained a great deal of knowledge and wisdom since I had that struggle because of where my questions led me.

When I live gratefully, I feel called to appreciate every moment in life for the wonder that is truly present all the time. Above all the noise and tumult of our lives, the beauty of galaxies and stars hovers above our busy lives, and the moon and sun remain in the sky, regardless of what we’re going through. This matters because it can be difficult to see beauty when we’re stuck in our own hectic lives without paying attention to the wonder all around us.

When I bring reverence to running, I see how incredible it is that my limbic system is releasing endorphins that give me that “runner’s high.” Since the limbic system is the gateway to mystical experience, perhaps I can remember that I am closer to the Divine within myself when I am running.

Perhaps today, I can live with a new perspective that says that I can live my day-to-day life without having all the answers.

Honestly, sometimes, the giving is its own reward. When I give to the homeless or those in need, it makes me happy that I could help someone who is struggling. It’s not as big as changing the systems that put them in that position in the first place, but I at least know that I helped in some way.

If I remembered that what is happening is offering an opportunity to learn and grow, this would help me to see that the struggles I am going through are a blessing in disguise that will eventually help me to learn how to love through various trials.

Expressing gratitude to others allows it to not just be an exercise in self-care, but also allows you to let others know that you appreciate what they have done for you. There is a social element to gratitude, rather than just a personal one.

Honestly, I’m struggling with what my values are at this point in time. I guess, however, that, since I value wisdom, the seeking itself is helping me be faithful to my values. Once I have found the values that work for me, then I can know what values I want to align myself with.

Lately, I’ve been so focused on school, I’ve kind of gotten out of my running habits. I might change that by committing to run everyday. If that means some things get turned in a day or two late, then so be it. I really want to prioritize self-care.

I feel like my life is a mission that I have come to accomplish. What it is that I am here to accomplish, I am not sure yet, but I think we are probably all here for an important reason. I feel like part of my mission is to become a minister.

The teachings in the Gospel of Mark about being willing to sacrifice as much as one’s own life for what is good and just are inspiring me right now.

I almost always receive the books I ask my parents for for Christmas.

Right now, I am learning a lot about forgiveness, predestination and free will, the Law of Attraction, and the purpose of religion. I’m wrestling with some questions about these topics that are leading me into some very interesting insights.

I could probably live more fully if I let go of my need for immediate answers to the deep questions in life.

The lazy person works twice as hard.