TW: Suicide & Loss
Where do I start? The difference between my life before and after gratitude was like night and day. Many areas of my life weren’t working, I made poor decisions, focused on the negative and the lack, and lived controlled by emotions, stress, and a lack of purpose.
I eventually found the courage to break away from a toxic relationship after 12 years, and suddenly I had time, choice, and space to explore healing.
Massage had always helped me “re-tune,” and I became more aware and drawn to health shops, especially the book section. The first book I ever read was The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra. It had a profound effect on me, believe it or not, gratitude is one of the laws of the universe. The next book that changed my life was Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers, where I truly began practicing gratitude.
As amazing things started happening, I became thirsty for more, even though I didn’t fully understand what was unfolding. I still had a huge journey of healing and self-discovery ahead of me.
Along this incredible path, I began applying gratitude more consistently. Then another great book hit the shelves: The Secret. In the three years that followed, what I managed to do, see, and become was something most only daydream about.
I kept a journal every year, because the key is writing it down, practicing affirmations, and keeping a vision board where you can see your dreams and goals daily.
I decided I was going to leave my corporate job, the stress, and the grey sky. I sold what I didn’t need and prepared to travel the world, but I needed to work and travel. Using what I had learned through daily practice, I took action and committed to achieving my dream.
After a year of many rejection letters, I finally landed a job on a cruise liner. I did it! I saw 101 countries in 18 months, made friends for life, experienced cultures and food, and did a whole lot of healing. Then I decided to test this intention practice again.
I did it again because my goal was to travel for two years. At the 18-month mark, I set another intention, and not only did I find another job, I ended up working on luxury yachts, including the largest and most talked-about private yacht owned by a Russian billionaire.
At this point, I had five journals filled with photos, stories, and reflections about how grateful I felt and how my life had transformed into something abundant beyond imagination.
Of course, we all need breaks, time to smell the coffee and accept the reality of changing a flat tyre along the way.
Ten journals later, I started thinking how amazing it would be if there was one place to store all of this great work. That’s when I found the Gratitude App, and it has been a rock-solid part of my life ever since. I love the reminders that keep me on track, and the Pro version has been worth every cent.
The app supported me through some of the darkest days of my life, and I am deeply grateful. This week, I lost my last living blood relative, and I feel grateful, which may sound strange. Let me explain.
Seventeen months ago, my only brother took his own life at the age of 40. Three months later, my mother passed away after fighting lung disease for five years. I cared for her in the last year of her life, and she lived with us. During this time, I attracted the most precious, supportive partner into my life.
So when my uncle, my mother’s brother, passed away this week, I felt grateful that he is finally at peace. He struggled to think positively and couldn’t heal from the losses we experienced. I believe he is happier now, reunited with our family and all our pets.
Now, at 44, I have myself completely to myself for the first time, and I am happy and grateful for this opportunity and the abundance around me. The birds are singing, and I am looking forward to another great day. Time to update my vision board with new pictures on the app.
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