Cherishing Life’s Challenges
Life doesn’t always go as planned. Our struggles can feel overwhelming, and in the midst of them, gratitude might seem out of reach. Yet, it’s during these times that gratitude offers us a profound tool for transformation. As we cherish our difficulties, we allow ourselves to see how they are the very things that cultivate growth, resilience, and strength within.
One of my past clients from when I was a caseworker in the nineties taught me this powerful lesson, I’ll call her Laurie. Laurie was a single mother of two children with a fifth-grade education, relying on TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). When the Clinton administration’s Welfare to Work program mandated that she either find work or attend job training, she felt forced into a corner. Laurie was deeply resistant to change, in part because of her illiteracy, which had long defined her sense of identity. She prayed for a way out, hoping for divine intervention rather than taking action, paralyzed by fear and self-doubt.
After many conversations, I connected her with a literacy program where she began learning to read and write. At first, she was terrified, but as she gained confidence, her outlook shifted. She began to report feeling appreciative for the Welfare to Work program, and recognized that this was the push she needed to realize her potential and feel good about herself. We began applying for jobs for her, and in our final meeting, Laurie expressed profound gratitude—not for the easy moments but for the hardship that compelled her to grow. She told me that she never thought that she could learn to read and be able to work, and that she now felt like she could dream <wow>.
Laurie went on to secure a custodial position at a major hospital, and the last I heard, she was thriving. Her story is a testament to how gratitude highlights our strengths during challenging times, offering us a sense of joy and hope even in the midst of great struggle.
The Transformative Power of Gratitude: Seeing Beauty in Struggles
Gratitude often feels like a simple concept—expressing thanks for the good things in life. But research shows that its impact goes far deeper, shaping our brains, improving our health, and enriching our relationships. Gratitude isn’t just a fleeting emotion; it’s a practice that rewires our perspective, allowing us to find meaning and beauty even in life’s challenges.
The neuroscience of gratitude supports its profound effects. Studies have shown that intentionally practicing gratitude activates the brain’s reward centers, particularly the medial prefrontal cortex, which is linked to feelings of social connectedness and well-being. Gratitude also reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, and enhances serotonin, the neurotransmitter associated with happiness and calmness. Practicing gratitude doesn’t just make us feel better—it literally rewires our brains to experience less anxiety, improved health, and deeper connections with others.
But here’s the nuance: true gratitude isn’t just about acknowledging what’s good in our lives. It also involves embracing and finding appreciation in the difficult moments, the failures, and the struggles that push us to grow—and this always makes me think of Laurie.
Finding Beauty in the Struggles
As we practice gratitude, we begin to completely reframe our struggles to see the beauty and growth that they can bring. Life’s difficulties are like rough stones that, through friction, polish us into something stronger and more luminous. Gratitude doesn’t deny the pain of those struggles—it transforms how we experience them.
When we pause to appreciate both the good and the hard, we build resilience and foster joy. Gratitude teaches us that even in the midst of the broken parts of life, there’s always something to hold onto—a lesson, a strength, a glimmer of hope. As we heal, we can find real courage to grow and the wisdom to cherish the journey.
So, take a moment and reflect on your own struggles. Ask yourself: What has this taught me? What strengths have I gained from this? You may just find that gratitude has been quietly waiting for you all along.
*Client name changed for privacy
Having trouble tapping into gratitude? Click below to learn more about what blocks gratitude, and simple practices to cultivate it. Click to download my free Gratitude Guide today!
