I read this morning in a devotion that “all” of our existence leaves nothing for which thanks is not the appropriate attitude. That made me wonder about being thankful for all people. Should I even be thankful for those who have hurt me? For those who have caused me pain? For those who have not been true to me? For those who left me? For those who didn’t believe in me? The answer is yes!
It is so easy to be thankful for the good people in our lives, but what about the ones who haven’t been so good? My mom has taught me my entire life that you have two choices in life. You can be better, or you can be bitter. You get to choose. So, if it is my choice, and I choose to be better, does that mean I need to choose to be thankful for everybody, regardless of whether they have brought me happiness or sadness? You decide what is right for your life, but for me, I believe it is imperative for my growth to be thankful for every person who has been in my life, for good, or for bad!
What does that look like? This is how I will sum it up, you decide how you will, but I’m just crazy enough to believe that if we change the way we see people, just maybe we can heal, grow, and be stronger because of them all! Words hurt, but they don’t define who you are! People not being real is painful, but isn’t a reflection of who we are either! It takes all kinds of people to make up this great big world! You will find true loyal people, but you will also encounter fake people who only want you for what you can do for them, or bring to them in the moment. Each can have a significant and positive impact on us, if we choose to view their time in our lives as a positive, rather than a negative! Each person can bring something good out of their time in our lives.
So today, I thank you all! I see the season you were in my life! I see the reason you were in my life, and for those who have stuck around…well…I love you with my whole heart! You have taught me loyalty, honesty, honor, joy, true love, laughter is the best medicine, and that I am unstoppable!
Thank you to those who:
- Knocked me down! I realized how to get back up!
- Talked about me! It helped me evaluate who I was and to make changes to be better! It also taught me your words were a reflection of you, not me!
- Who didn’t believe in me! It taught me to believe in myself and fight harder!
- Who gave up on me! It taught me who was really fighting for me, and taught me to fight for myself!
- Who wanted me to fail! I fought to succeed and use my failures! You made me stronger!
- Who discounted me! I found my true worth!
- Who said I couldn’t do it! You gave me a drive to do it!
- Who called me stupid! I proved to myself you were wrong!
- Who caused me pain! I turned it around and thrived! I didn’t merely survive!
- Who called me weak! God has brought me back stronger!
- Who loved me despite my shortcomings! You gave me wings to soar!
- Who showed up and never left, even when I was in a dark place! You taught me true love!
- Who didn’t believe the lies being told! You taught me true friendship!
- Who always had my back! You taught me honor!
- Who showed up in good times and bad! You taught me loyalty!
- Who always told me the truth! You taught me honesty!
- Who laughed with me, not at me! You taught me the value of laughter and not taking myself too seriously!
- Who saw the pain and tears in my eyes, but we’re still there and knew joy would come in the morning! You taught me to have hope!
- Who knew my past mistakes didn’t define me! You taught me to be unstoppable!
- Who had compassion! You taught me resilience!
Today, I thank every single person who has come into my life. You have heard me say before that all people come into our life for a season, and for a reason! Regardless of how long people have been in my life, they have shown me what I want to be, what I don’t want to be, and pushed me to be better! To be stronger! To live a life of significance and the importance of always adding value! I hope today you choose to be thankful for everyone in your life, no matter what they have brought to your life! Gratitude is always the right attitude for success in life!
With love (and gratitude) for you all,
Shauna
Shauna's Sisters 