Don't forget the small things....

Shout out to all you,

Sometimes life can feel really awful and make you feel very unhappy and like you are not getting anywhere and everything sucks.

There are days when you can wake up and feel so tired about having to face another day perhaps because you don't like what you have to do that day and if you have a really dreadful job that you must do in order to pay the bills.

Luckily for me, I do have a job that I really enjoy, but it can be demanding and it takes a lot of energy. Although I love to help people, sometimes it takes a lot of strength to be able to help others through their trauma. When you hear painful stories about what others have gone through, it can hurt your heart and make you feel sadness.

In order to be able to help others, you must be in good mental state yourself because as they say, you can't help anyone unless you help yourself first.

When I wake up and feel sadness or any negative feeling, I find it very helpful to give thanks for everything I have, no matter how small it appears to be.

For instance, I say i'm thankful I can see, i'm thankful my body is healthy and I can move around easily, i'm thankful I can breathe, and so on.

Sometimes we take things for granted and only appreciate them when they are gone. I know when I used to get sick, I would think man, I should have been thankful for feeling healthy because it is such a blessing.

Then you can move to the things that truly lift your life up, like your family. I'm so thankful for my wife and son because they give me strength and inspiration to continue on a good path.

Often we can take our loved ones for granted and not let them know how much they mean to us. Then one day, they might not be around and we might feel regret for not letting them know how much we truly loved them, and how important the are in our lives.

As a former addict, I have to ensure that I never get dragged down that path again and once you are an addict, you have the potential to be tempted again. Working with the homeless population brings me in contact with people suffering from addiction. When I hear their personal stories it can be triggering for me, if I do not look after myself and ensure that I am taking care of myself and my well-being.

I always talk to co-workers if I feel the need to release anything i'm holding inside.

When I am feeling down, praying gives me strength and helps me to restore my peace of mind. Do not underestimate the power in praying because we have to ask for help when we need it.

I have to exercise and this releases tension and helps me maintain a sense of balance in my body and mind. I have a gym in my building, so I take full advantage of that. I also love to jog or walk outside on trails and breathe in the fresh air.

It's so important that we take care of ourselves and self-care is crucial in being a healthy person who is able to help others in a beneficial way.

With many thanks,
J