From Rock Bottom to Resilience: How Gratitude Changed My Life

Has life’s challenges ever felt insurmountable? Well, I’ve definitely been there. I went from aimlessly roaming the streets of Atlanta to being a friend of anyone on a Mental Health and Addiction Recovery journey.

The Day I Hit Rock Bottom

Growing up in a drug-infested environment is my foundation. Without proper nurturing I was left to my own devices. As a result, my thirty years of active use slowly degraded my soul. Yes, the series of bad choices and subsequent ramifications disconnected me from the world around me. But what felt even worse was the disconnection I felt from myself.

The Science Behind Gratitude

Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good trend on social media; it’s backed by science. According to Neuroscience News, practicing gratitude activates the brain’s reward system, boosting dopamine and serotonin levels. These neurotransmitters are essential for feelings of happiness and well-being; feelings we in recovery are mostly familiar with through substances and/or destruction behaviors.

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that people who kept gratitude journals reported improved mental health, better sleep, and increased resilience. It turns out that gratitude rewires your brain to focus on the positive, even in challenging times.

How I Started Practicing Gratitude

If I could name one emotion that defines my spiritual journey, it would be gratitude. Only by being grateful was I able to accept the love of something bigger than myself. By continuing to be grateful, I’ve been given opportunities to heal while helping others where I can.

Learning how to practically apply gratitude came from watching The Secret. This is the movie that changed my life, and it could change yours. If you have a burning desire within your heart to change into a more loving, healthier version of yourself–please start here.

Who cares how many times you have to watch until you start getting it? Five years later, and I still revisit the message that changed my life. The magic begins when you choose to apply what you learn. The promise is: Focusing on gratitude will give you more (real-life) things to be grateful for. Of course, you’ll have to experience this for yourself.

The Ripple Effect of Gratitude

Gratitude didn’t just change my mindset; it transformed my life. When I focused on what I had rather than what I lacked, I became more open to opportunities. Practicing while in treatment helped rewire my brain a little before going back into society. 

The practice also helped me cultivate resilience. Since leaving treatment, I’ve faced several challenging experiences that tested my faith and recovery. In every situation, gratitude was a tool I proactively used to make it through.  As Juliette Kristine explains, gratitude can act as a protective buffer during difficult times.

It became easier to face setbacks because I had a reservoir of positivity to draw from. My longtime friends on Facebook have shared a few of those setbacks with me. However, I have continued my sobriety without a reuse–learning daily to live life on life’s terms without resorting to the older version(s) of myself.

Building Resilience Through Gratitude

Over the years I’ve used different strategies to keep gratitude the central theme. Here are a few I suggest for beginners. There are many practical ways to apply gratitude to our lives, but these four strategies will build a strong foundation.

1. Keep a Gratitude Journal

Write down three to five things you’re grateful for each day. They don’t have to be big; sometimes, the smallest moments bring the most joy.

2. Practice Mindful Gratitude

Take a moment each day to reflect on something you’re thankful for. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and truly savor the feeling.

3. Share Your Gratitude

Expressing gratitude to others strengthens relationships and spreads positivity. Whether it’s a heartfelt thank-you note or a simple text, let people know you appreciate them.

4. Reframe Challenges

When faced with difficulties, try to find something positive. This doesn’t mean ignoring hardships but recognizing growth opportunities within them.

I intend to convince you to apply just one of these. I’m big on avoiding overwhelm. Observe which one resonates with you the most, then apply it. Challenge yourself to achieve a personal goal with this mind shift. Give yourself 2-weeks to see evidence of the promise.

The Life I Have Today

In no way did gratitude delete my struggles, but it did give me the strength to overcome them. Like anyone else new to recovery, I had to learn how to apply the principles of my recovery program. This takes practice in real-life circumstances. In the beginning, we fall on our faces repeatedly, like a child learning how to walk. The truth is, I’ve failed many times for you to read this blog post. But I haven’t given up on myself since August 14, 2020.

As Manifestation Babe notes, gratitude is the gateway to abundance. Gratitude is like a window that allows a love bigger than our own to shine through and touch the dark parts within. When you shift your focus from scarcity to appreciation, the world opens up in unexpected ways. This is a concept you will learn in The Secret, if you choose to watch it.

These days I truly love my life because I am still learning to love myself. I am grateful for the human I’m becoming. We all deserve to have an abundant life, as the movie suggests. For me, that’s being in love with a woman who is also a professional peer in recovery, co-parenting an amazing 9-year-old, and continuing to create conversations, products, and services for the recovery community. I am one of many examples of how gratitude can transform a person’s life.

From felon to facilitator.

Final Thoughts

If you’re at rock bottom, know that change is possible. Gratitude is a small but powerful practice that can transform your mindset, your actions, and ultimately, your life. Start where you are. Begin with one small thing you’re thankful for today and let it grow from there.

Your journey to resilience starts now. What are you grateful for?