THE BLACK EXPERIENCE: Choosing gratitude

As I sit alone and reflect on my life, I’m remembering something simple yet powerful. I have a lot to be thankful for! And sometimes, those memories hit hardest when life doesn’t go the way I imagined.

Too often we get caught up in our own worlds, the deadlines, the disappointments, the expectations we place on ourselves and we sometimes forget the bigger picture. We forget to pause, breathe, and acknowledge the blessings right in front of our faces.

I’m thankful for my mom, who continues to ground me and is a reliable source of comfort.

I’m thankful for my friends who give me sound advice and encourage my growth.

For my sisters and brothers who remind me I’m not alone.

For my current role that allows me to use my gifts.

For my health, which is something too many of us take for granted.

And most of all, I’m thankful that the Lord continues to open doors for me, even the ones I didn’t expect.

This season of gratitude also makes me reflect on something we don’t talk about enough – holding on to grudges resulting from disappointments and how dangerous that can be. But that’s where growth enters the room.

I realized what’s meant for me will always be for me. Whether delayed, redirected, or disguised as a disappointment. And honestly, I’m thankful for the clarity it gave me. Holding on to a grudge would’ve only delayed the blessings already with my name on them.

Life has a funny way of teaching us these lessons in small doses. One of the deepest for me came from losing my grandfather. There are days I would give anything to sit down and talk with him again. To hear one more story, get one more piece of wisdom, feel that love that only a grandfather can give. That loss taught me that living itself is a blessing. That tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. And that no hurt, no slight, no shade is worth clouding the beauty of the time we still have.

So I’m choosing gratitude. Not because life is perfect but because life is precious.

I’m choosing peace, not because I can’t fight but because I’d rather grow.

And I’m choosing to release grudges because the bigger picture is so much greater than the moments that hurt me.

In everything, even the unexpected, I’m thankful.