Underappreciated Aspects of Life: A Journey to Gratitude
Written on
Chapter 1: The Importance of Gratitude
Ralph Waldo Emerson wisely remarked about the essence of gratitude:
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
In the hustle of daily life, we can easily overlook the importance of recognizing the people, experiences, and circumstances that enrich our lives. As Emerson pointed out, both good and challenging moments contribute to our growth and development. I must admit that it took me a while to realize this.
I often thought, “I express gratitude frequently.” However, I later recognized that my gratitude was superficial. After reflecting on Emerson's words, I understood that I had been blind to many blessings in my life. Thankfully, this realization arrived in due time.
Here, I will share several significant aspects I had undervalued for far too long and how embracing these insights has led to a happier existence.
Section 1.1: Your Roots and Current Home
I hail from Leeuwarden, a city in northern Netherlands, where I was often the only non-white student in my class during the 90s, a time when the non-white population was around 5%.
Throughout my childhood and adolescence, the city had a population of roughly 100,000, and I frequently voiced my dissatisfaction, citing a lack of diversity, limited size, and few career opportunities.
While Leeuwarden has since evolved and diversified somewhat, it remains a quintessentially Dutch city, which I now genuinely appreciate. Growing up with Dutch values has profoundly influenced my worldview. The traits of hard work, honesty, directness, and thriftiness are ingrained in the community. I have come to cherish these qualities.
Everyone’s journey is unique, shaped by their backgrounds. Whether your experiences are positive or negative, they define who you are. Embrace your history; leverage it, but do not allow it to constrain you.
I know individuals who have risen above difficult circumstances to achieve remarkable success. They used their challenges as a source of strength. We all possess this ability, regardless of our origins; the key is to confront rather than escape from them.
Section 1.2: The Strength of Your Mind
Reflecting on my life now compared to years ago, I feel mentally fortified. This strength is a result of continuous mental training.
In the past, I would easily become emotionally affected by negative events in my life. I use the term “negative” lightly, as I haven’t faced truly disastrous situations. Like many, I often found myself disappointed when things didn’t go my way, leading to emotional turmoil.
Setbacks would tempt me to quit, particularly in my writing career. I began in 2015, but it wasn’t until 2018 that I started to earn a decent income. During the early years, I often thought, “Forget this; I’ll pursue something else.”
It’s common to feel discouraged, especially when it seems everyone else is thriving. Recently, I encountered a post boasting, “How I earn $200,000 a month from online courses.” For a fleeting moment, I felt envious, but then I reminded myself, “Forget that; I am content with my life.”
This illustrates the power of mindset. Regardless of your current situation, remember that improvement is always within reach. Your mind holds more strength than you realize, and that’s a truth we must always appreciate.
Chapter 2: Embracing Mistakes as Lessons
Every error or unfortunate event in your life contributes to your growth. The real question is: Are you allowing these experiences to enhance your life or hinder it?
Aim for the former; let your mistakes become your educators.
For a long time, I struggled to recognize the value of my missteps. What I initially perceived as failures were, in fact, invaluable lessons in disguise.
When I launched my first business after graduating, I believed I erred by not opting for a corporate traineeship. Later, while working at a corporation in London, I thought I had made a mistake by attempting to climb the corporate ladder instead of pursuing entrepreneurship.
When I began my writing journey, I questioned the wisdom of leaving a stable corporate position for a field known for its low success rates. However, I have come to understand that none of these decisions were true mistakes; they were pivotal learning experiences.
The first video, "WHY THE INFJ IS RIDICULOUSLY UNDERESTIMATED," delves into the often-misunderstood traits of the INFJ personality type. It highlights how these individuals bring depth and insight to their interactions but are frequently overlooked.
Section 2.1: Weathering Life's Storms
Having grown up in the Netherlands, I’ve long been accustomed to the rain and cold that dominate the majority of the year.
Throughout my life, I complained about the weather incessantly. My escape plan was to relocate to Spain for sunnier days. However, my experience in Spain was less than ideal; the heat was overwhelming, and the cultural differences felt alienating.
Weather is rarely ideal. During my time in Spain, I was surprised to hear many locals lamenting the heat, expressing frustrations about the costs of air conditioning.
Upon returning to the Netherlands, my perspective shifted dramatically. I began to appreciate the changing seasons. The cold weather now makes me look forward to warmth and vice versa.
Your perspective shapes your experience. Learn to value the weather for what it is, especially in colder climates. It can actually be quite pleasant.
Section 2.2: The Value of Time
Time can be perceived in various ways. You might expect a typical reflection on how “time is limited,” but that’s not the angle I want to explore.
What I failed to appreciate for a long time is that time can be an ally. Many aspects of life require time to flourish.
Consider the following:
- Learning new skills
- Career development
- Wealth accumulation
- Personal balance
The compounding effect in these areas is remarkable. Small, consistent actions can lead to monumental outcomes.
If you dedicate just one hour a day to reading, focus on improving your skills, save and invest a portion of your income regularly, and live according to your values, time will yield everything you desire from life.
The challenge lies in patience. Many abandon their goals too soon, expecting immediate results. The truth is, most worthwhile achievements require more time than anticipated. If you embrace this timeline without frustration, you’ll emerge better off.
This isn't a question of “if” but “when.”
The second video, "When You Start With HOW You're SCREWED... Do THIS Instead! | Tony Robbins | #Entspresso," emphasizes the importance of focusing on the right questions and mindset to achieve success rather than getting lost in the process.