Are You Grateful For The Important Things?

Within the last year, my life has taken a turn down an unfamiliar road overgrown with thorns and obstacles. When I was forced by pain to quit my job I had no idea of the struggles and trials I was soon to face. Many of my acquaintances were quick to pat me on the back and congratulate me on taking this huge step for my health. I should be grateful for the opportunity. These same people were unaware that this is no pleasure cruise.

I had to file for Social Security Disability. Since pain doesn’t follow a schedule, working even part-time isn’t an option. With few medical records to prove my claims, the journey is a hard one, with more hours ahead of me yet. I’ve had many moments of anxiety and panic related to this life change alone. I tried to keep a daily list of things I was grateful to have.

Onset Of A Panic Attack

Tonight, at the onset of what could have been another panic attack over financial worries and difficulties I began to write up a list of reasons to be grateful. With a head filled with anxiety and worry it’s hard to write that list. Initially, I wrote the typical items on such a list: my life, my family, my pets, my house, etc.

Unfortunately, writing a list like that also brings to mind the things that are gone or in danger of being lost. For me, this included the ability to pay my monthly bills and the things those bills represented. I forced my mind back to the grateful list only to feel worries attack again.

Divine Inspiration

Suddenly, a thought came that only could have come from Divine guidance and inspiration. It asked me a simple question: What is important to you? Does it matter if you have a phone or internet? Could you live without them?

It sounds like the same question with slightly different wording – what are you grateful for, what is important to you? However, I saw the difference instantly. I am blessed to have the roof over my head. Upon my dinner table, I have food from a grocery store.

But, if someone asked me if I could live without either the answer would be that I could. Life wouldn’t be easy. It would be much harder than it is now for me. And so it is with many of the other worries that keep me awake.

So what is important to me? What do I feel is necessary for my survival? The answer is a simple one: my loved ones. While I am grateful for the physical blessings in my life, they aren’t as important as the ones that touch my soul: the people in my life who mean the world to me.

Would I lose my family if my phone was shut off? Would my friends shun me if they can’t reach me on social media because I don’t have internet access? Of course not. Communication would be a bit more challenging, but we would find a way.

I will still make it a point to write up the list of things to be grateful for when I’m dealing with anxiety and depression. I need the reminders. But now, I’m going to start with the things that are most important to me first. Then I’m going to ask one question as I continue with each item on the list: Can you live without it?

Inspiration For This Post

Personal note: Part of what inspired this post was a new worry that cropped up today when I was already at a low point. I thought I had paid all the fees necessary to keep this blog alive. Unfortunately, I missed a big one, and it’s one I do not have sufficient funds to pay.
Therefore, within the next month, unless I can find a way to cover the hosting fee, this blog is likely to be suspended.

I am not too proud to accept donations. If anyone would like to donate to help keep this blog alive, please email me at thewriteempath@gmail.com for Paypal information.
Thank you to all of my dedicated readers, and hopefully, if I do end up going down for a while, I will be back in short time.