Finding the Best Things During the Worst Times

It’s hard to look back on this past year without finding some sort of grief, anger, confusion, heartache, or other emotion that gives us pause. We stop and ask ourselves if anything good has come of this year or if we took unwelcome steps, one after another, that led us to sorrow upon sorrow. 

Is it possible to look back and not find anything worth even a minute amount of gratitude? Does it seem as though nothing is worth remembering, nothing is worth reflecting on, and nothing good was discovered?

It sometimes seems so much easier to find a dark corner to huddle up in and stay there, content to be left alone. Some days, that almost seems the easier path to take. Sifting through our misery, self-pity, sorrow, and pain, we may find that if we take our eyes off the positive, look back on our experiences, then look up to our Helper, we will find good things. And in looking for the good things, we will not only get over the rough times but also get through them.

But how do we find good things?

How are we supposed to get over the harshness of the past year? It may seem simplistic, maybe even childish, but we can do it by being grateful and finding something to be thankful for.  

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In the middle of summer, we got a call saying, “This is it.” My daughter-in-law was in labor. 

I headed down to their house to stay with my grandson while Mom and Dad stayed busy at the hospital bringing his new little sister into the world. 

And oh, what a beautiful baby! 

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So many sorrows disappear when holding a precious baby. So many things to be thankful for beg your attention: 10 perfect toes and 10 tiny fingers; a strong, robust voice that cries out loud; big, blue eyes that stare back at you, and make you certain you are receiving the first smile of many more to come. One thankful thought leads easily to another.

Gratitude and thankfulness

These two words can help us in our times of sorrow and pain. Instead of choosing an attitude of misery, I found something to be thankful for. In every situation, the outcome could have been so much worse. And because it wasn’t worse, I was able to be there for others who did experience something worse. 

When we are consumed by the fires that ravage our neighborhoods, and only a shell of what was remains standing, we can be grateful our friends and family got out in time. Because it could have been so much worse. 

When those we dearly love unexpectedly breathe their last breath here on Earth, we can be thankful they went quickly and in peace. Because it could have been so much worse. 

When your health issues won’t give you a break and seem to be progressing, much to your displeasure, it really could be so much worse.

When you are caught up in heartache and the chains of sorrow have you wrapped tightly by what this last year has brought upon you, what is one thing you can honestly be grateful for? One thing you can be thankful for?

Now think of another.

And another.

And another.

The chains of grief and sorrow that bound you so tightly will drop to the ground. The clouds that covered you in darkness will roll away. And you will see that out of the worst times came the good things — those things we are thankful for.

What are you thankful for today?

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Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.