When Comfort Shrinks Our Perspective

One of the greatest things we can do to give us a little confidence and positive boost in perspective is take a moment to think about the things we are grateful for.

When you do think about it, even the most simple things, like having a fridge full of food, or having a warm coat and cup of coffee can really shift things into perspective. The reality is that we live in a world of abundance. The more we have the more we think we need to not only be happy, but survive and thrive. The more opportunities we gain with the advancements in technology, and the societal conveniences, like amazon prime and DoorDash the more “in-convienences” are born into orbit, and the less equip we are to handle them. In a world where life lessons are coined as traumas and peoples uniqueness have become “icks,” what used to be normal aspects of being human have now become debilitating and deal breakers. Our comfort zones are shrinking, not expanding.

Listen, I am in the game too. You certainly won’t be seeing me shopping in a grocery store, and you best believe I will be tapping my fingers harder on my phone if it is going to slow for my liking…

Regardless of how aware you are of these “comfort zone cycles,” (as I like to call them) you are not immune to them, and will naturally fall instep with the conveniences of the world. Why wouldn’t you? There is nothing wrong with using your resources. 😉 We are simply just not living in reality when it comes to the things we have to be grateful for. We are often overseeing the true blessing that we are surrounded by. For example, If you are reading this email that means, not only do you have a phone or a computer that allows you to be connected to the world and your loved ones, you also have people that care about you and want to be connected to you. I mean that’s pretty cool.

This time of year naturally pulls us toward gratitude. It’s easy now to think and remember all the people, places, and things that we have and love that make up our life and bring joy. But, what about the times that gratefulness isn’t so in our face? What about the every season moments when you feel nothing is good? You don’t have the life you want? You’re wishing for something different? Or, heaven forbid, your package did arrive in two days. 😜 Those are the days when we need the reflection the most. That’s when taking 2 minutes to think of a few things we are grateful for in that moment can really turn our outlook around. They don’t even have to be big dramatic things. If you have a bed to go home to at night, a roof over your head, someone to call when you are feeling down, you are looking pretty good. Thinking on these things can really help you move through the moment with more strength and courage. It’s like taking a deep breath and realizing everything is ok and you totally got this.

Now after that delightful message from positive patty, let me still note that not everything has an upside. Somethings just suck, and there is nothing else to say about it. The loss of a loved one, watching someone you love battle an illness. Struggling with aging parents or family planning, marriages ending and losing pets. There are many things that simple don’t have a “silver lining” and we could really just do without. We can be grateful for the time we have had with our loved ones, for the love that has caused so much grief, but it will never change the fact that nothing will ever be worth that loss or heartache. And that’s ok. 

So to closeout my little gratitude presentation, I would like to say how grateful I am to you and your place in our community. We have had a big year of changes and have more changes to come. 🌟 None of those things would be possible without you and your support. THE BAR is a special place, it’s a happy place. I am forever grateful for the community and the ability to do and share what I love, which wouldn’t be possible without you ❤️