When we’re going through multiple challenges, it’s tough to realise the abundance that exists in our life. So how do you recognise it and maintain this regardless of your life situation? Hear on for more…
Here’s is a link to the podcast, but if you can’t have a listen, then the transcript of it is below:
How Do I Recognise the Abundance in My Life?
“Hi, I’m back!… I am Shruti from Footprints, No Boundaries… and this is my podcast… a space where I speak about life lessons, chronic conditions, mental and physical health tips and experiences.
In my previous podcast on ‘Comparisons’, I briefly touched upon the concept of us realising the abundance we live in – and suddenly I realised that many people like me who have chronic and painful medical issues, or even many others who could be facing major life crisis, maybe financial issues or are facing a constant battle with something or the other could be wondering, how could I in that pod even imply that we have abundance when constant issues are having to be dealt with?!
It’s such a fair thing to exclaim – and I’d probably think the same had I not learnt very early on the importance of appreciating the smallest of things that life has given.
I’m sure you’ve heard about appreciating life all before, but bare with me here…
Recently, I wrote a blog piece on my website with the title – ‘Does Being Grateful Help Improve Chronic Illnesses’ – it was while writing this I understood what my real message was – that no matter where you are in life, whatever the situation, it’s the attitude of gratitude that can help you realise all that you have.
In that post, I explain how I learnt gratitude when as a child. I would always hear my mother thank things around the house – for example, as soon as she lay in bed, she thanked the maker of the bed, the actual bed and the fact that she had a comfortable bed to sleep in.
I would copy this habit and soon, through an Oprah show episode, I got to understand that this is the attitude of gratitude.
As an 11 year old when I started to get engulfed by the pain thrown at me from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Endometriosis plus I was being bullied in school – it’s then that I realised I needed something to hang on to – this is where two things helped me, my weekly school counselling sessions and my daily practice of writing five things I’m grateful for.
With so much dislike from the bullies, so much pain and exhaustion from the chronic conditions plus all the other issues surrounding me which aren’t worth getting into today, I still managed to find way more than five things every day to be appreciative of.
Appreciation brought with it a realisation that abundance also existed in MY life, which is why I never felt jealous of what someone had – I was definitely encouraged and inspired by what others in my school were managing to do, but I never wanted their life or their talents – I knew I had a lot of good going for me without needing to peer into someone else’s life and all that only came from realising my own abundance.
And also, because of this, I’ve never felt lonely and even today, despite struggling to walk, breathe and dealing with the challenges of daily chores – I enjoy my company because I feel like I have so much going for me, there is so much abundance in what I have in my life that I am good to work on and discover that.
Relevant Read:
I believe that despite my own situation, I have been given all the tools necessary to live a fulfilling life – but it’s upto me to be able to use it. This realisation can only come and maintain itself when you do your daily practices, when you look at yourself, your life and what you have.
If we spend more time feeling discontent rather than feeling fulfilment, then we’ll never know what we have and we’ll never get around to even using it.
What a waste that would be… and imagine, it all begins from realising the abundance you have.
Before I end, I wanted to share one added benefit that comes with being grateful…You begin to notice what others do for you, which then gives you the opportunity to thank them for it. It makes the other person feel good – it makes them feel appreciated and respected – and it’s such a nice thing to do, to make people feel happy, a feeling they pass on to others – and it also makes you happy too..!
O! and another added but the most important bonus, realising all that you have brings with it so much calm – you’ll find that you won’t panic easily either.
Even during my worst pain days, when I am screaming and crying and I’m feeling like this pain will take my life – that’s when I start to appreciate all the times I have gotten through it in the past – I respect the time my body needs to process the flareup – I appreciate my body for all the hard work it has to put in to keeping me together – I remind myself that me and my body aren’t against each other – how we’re on the same side and we can work this out all because I have acknowledged and appreciated my body’s ability to endure and overcome.
It’s a crazy mental battle but in all that, I know what gets me through is my conversation with myself.
And that’s how it is with all of us, whether it’s a health issue or a work crisis – you can only back yourself when you know what you have – and that will only come when you introspect as you mentally scan through your day in search of grateful moments to be written in your gratitude journal.
So will you give it a go? Will you write five things you’re grateful for everyday?
If you already do this practice, then I’d love to know what changes it’s brought in your life or what it’s helped you realise – if you used to do this practice and have stopped, please try starting again – sometimes in the whole daily grind, we don’t continue through with good habits.
I’ve come to the end of this podcast…
If you wish to, you can get in touch with me through Instagram, you can @footprintsnoboundaries or email me on [email protected]
If you have a topic to suggest, then would love to know that too!
That’s it from me… have good one.”
Read Here For:
- How to Self-Isolate & Have a Life: Productive Tips from a Chronic Patient
- Tips: How to Manage School Work, Bullying and Endometriosis
- How to Handle Hirsutism & Acne if You Have PCOS
Up next: Podcast Episode 4 – Are Our Problems Really Our Own?
Previous: Podcast Episode 2 – Do You Compare Yourself to Others?
If you’re a social media person, then you can follow me on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.
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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I am a patient and have created this platform to share my experiences. This is all purely informative and in no way am I providing medical advice. Please consult a medical professional.