Piles of dishes in the sink.

A basket of laundry coated in paint, sand, and food.

My child is having a huge, loud meltdown.

Sometimes it is hard to find the positives when we have our own unmet needs, or our own shattered expectations.

I shouldn’t let the dishes pile up like that.

Another ruined outfit with paint.

Why is he so upset? What am I doing wrong?

It’s easy to feel like we aren’t doing enough; to feel like we aren’t enough.

Gently and consistently shifting our perspective to a positive one will increase our happiness, our self-esteem and our overall quality of life.  

I’m so thankful that we got to eat meals off those dishes.

We had a great time creating memories in those clothes.

I am grateful that he feels safe enough around me to unload all of his big, scary emotions.

We can take small steps each day towards living in this very moment and living with gratitude for what is. Expressing gratitude and appreciation for things in our lives: a bed to sleep on, children that love us unconditionally, the sun rising each day, a bounty of opportunity if we open our minds and hearts to it.

Here is a guided gratitude meditation from Deepak Chopra.

And repeat after me,

I am worthy.

I am enough.

I am loved.