Are you reading these words simply because the article’s title annoyed you? As a visitor to this blog, we know that you are probably feeling some combination of sad, frustrated, scared, determined, and angry. “Grateful” surely does not top your list. So why would we write this article?
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy in Chicagoland, Avenue Women’s Center is here for you. For help in this stage of your journey, please contact us today.
Gratitude and attitude go hand in hand. Like sunny days and sunglasses, gratitude and attitude are a perfect pair. Being grateful and thankful doesn’t always come easy, especially during mundane tasks or challenging days. It can be really hard to find a bit of good in difficult circumstances, but finding a silver lining in every situation can be a beneficial learned behavior.
A study about the impact of gratitude was described in Harvard Health Publications. They explained that three different groups of people were instructed to journal: things that happened to them or things that annoyed them or things they were grateful for. In the end, “those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives.”
I remember towards the end of my mom’s battle with cancer, I went outside to sit on the front door stoop to get out of the dark, depressing room my mom spent months suffering in. As I stared blankly around me, I felt the rejuvenating warmth of the sun hit my face and cover my whole body. While basking in that brilliant July sun, I felt a sensation of peace and a lessening sense of sadness. I sat still and took it all in. I remember thinking at that moment for every sad minute that I have spent with my mom, I was so grateful for the warm summer season around me that could comfort me just by walking outside. It made an impact on my life because 13 years later I still can recount every feeling I had on that front stoop and acknowledge the thankfulness I had for that beautiful July afternoon.
Being able to find gratitude in difficult situations isn’t easy. But the benefit of gratefulness is so powerful it can change one’s attitude and lift a mind to a higher level of thinking and understanding. It can soften a heart, mend a mind and bridge you to a place of peace.
At Avenue Women’s Center, we are committed to helping women find peace. Do you need very practical services, like a reliable pregnancy test or abortion information? Would you like someone to listen… really listen… to all you’re going through? Or maybe you needed encouragement today to take a break, find one thing to be grateful for, and claim a bit of peace for yourself? However we can help, we are here for you.
Our offices are located in Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn / Lombard, Naperville, and Wood Dale, Illinois. If you are dealing with an unintended pregnancy, we hope you will connect with us today.
References:
- Harvard Health Publications. Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier. Retrieved from: http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.