By Jasmin Acosta,
Healthy Planet Staff Writer
When we think of gratitude, we often reflect on the people in our lives such as family, friends, and loved ones who have stood by us in difficult times or simply made us smile when we needed it most. We pause to be thankful for their presence and the roles they play in our lives.
But how often do we take a moment to be grateful for ourselves?
Each of us has experienced trauma or hardship that has shaped who we are. We have suffered because of this, but we have also persevered despite the odds by refusing to be a perpetrator that continues the cycle of violence that we were once subjected to. In moments where we could have mirrored the pain we received, we chose compassion instead. We chose kindness.
The choice to heal instead of inflicting pain, to grow instead of giving into the cycle of harm which is no small task. Choosing to heal is a testament to your strength, to the light within you that refused to be extinguished.
It is important to be thankful not just for the people around us, but for where we are in our own lives. To recognize and appreciate the small things that make life worth living. Your existence, your heart, and your kindness matter. Even if it feels small, your presence has an impact. Sometimes, a single act of compassion like a smile, being a listening ear, or greeting a stranger. A simple gesture can be the very thing that gives someone else the strength to carry on.
Take time to honor everything you have survived and to appreciate the person you have become through it all. Continue moving toward a brighter future, and remind yourself often: your light has shined brighter than the chaos that tried to dim it.
We only get one life and in a world that can often feel heavy or harsh, you have chosen to meet it with kindness. That is not weakness — that is strength.
Be grateful for yourself. You are worthy of that.