Stop and Smell the Flowers
Embracing the present with radical gratitude
Life has a way of unfolding in ways we never quite anticipate. But wherever you are in your life today, I challenge you to accept your reality with radical gratitude. We’ll never get this moment back.
Growing up, I always had these big dreams about my future. You know, imagining who I would turn out to be, where I would live, and who would be by my side. Reality is not much like what I imagined back then, it’s even better. I went through phases, wanting to be a doctor first, next an actress, and then I dreamed of turning my baking hobby into a business. I had this idea that I would be married by the time I hit 25. I even wanted to live in Canada, yet here I am in New York City instead, and there is nowhere else I would rather be.
Two years ago, I took a leap of faith and moved here alone from my warm and familiar hometown in North Carolina. I was buzzing with excitement, plenty of nerves, and craving all of the good and new experiences life could throw at me. One thing was certain - how much I would miss being away from my family and friends whose love and support continues to shape me.
The process of forging my own path has been filled with excitement, discovery, some grief, joy, and wonder. I’ve experienced new beginnings and endings, along with the exhilaration and occasional discomfort of stepping outside of my comfort zone. Each day brings fresh opportunities to grow, learn about myself, and understand the world around me.
I’ve confronted the juxtaposition of my past dreams, present realities, and new aspirations. Each step taken and each corner turned have become a testament to the beauty and meaningfulness of life, even if it looks different than what I once expected it to be. That leap of faith that I took opened a chapter of growth and self-discovery. I’ve developed a steadfast sense of gratitude for all the experiences, both expected and unexpected, that continue to shape my path.
Radical gratitude, as I’ve come to understand, is not merely an acknowledgement of the present moment but a true acceptance of it. Surrendering to the moment in full gratitude means embracing every experience, both the highs and the lows, with an open heart, deep appreciation, and faith that everything is unfolding in divine timing.
Join the conversation in the comments section and let’s unlock the good together.
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If beauty has eyes, it would be looking through yours. Just sayin'.
'...not merely an acknowledgement of the present moment but a true acceptance of it.'
Well said, Alexandria. That's one challenging aspect, that is to genuinely accept the present moment as it is.
This requires consistent practice to rewire our minds to think this way.