Feeling Grateful with Rosegal

This Thanksgiving, I am realizing now more than ever how truly grateful I am for all of the blessings in my life.

*This is a sponsored post.  This jacket was provided to me.  All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

*Jacket: High Low Hooded Plus Size Lace-up Coat in Army Green ($25.94) c/o Rosegal. This jacket is available in 6 other colors. Be sure to check all the fabulous deals going on this weekend at the Rosegal Black Friday Sale!

Once upon a time, I traveled a dark and lonely road filled with sharp and scary turns where the fear of the unknown nearly paralyzed me. As I stared off down that desolate path, I could see nothing in front of me. Hopelessness, helplessness, sadness, and grief seemed to be my only company. Yet, somehow, I dug deep and tapped into what little strength was buried inside of me. I trudged forward, one heavy painful step at a time. I suppose it was because I had no choice. Or maybe I didn’t know what else to do. But in any event, I could have laid down and just stopped, just let the loneliness take over. I could have given up on myself and just quit. But I didn’t.  If I had, I would not be here today writing these words or sharing this story.

So on I went, day after day, week after week, year after year. Literally, until it has all blurred together into one huge chunk of time that seems to have been lost in my memory. Or maybe it isn’t really lost at all. Perhaps I have just chosen to tuck it away somewhere secret where no one else can see it. Because as the years pass by now and I get further and further away from that darkness, memories start to trickle back. Occasionally, the memories will even return in floods. I suppose it indicates that I have reached a place of complete healing because I can handle the memories now.  I can analyze the events of the past.  I can tell my story. But more importantly, I can tell it without shame. I can tell it without tears. I can tell it without grief. I can tell it without regret.  I can tell it because it is part of who I am and who I am becoming.

And because of this, I am grateful for it all. While I was in it, I definitely did not appreciate the struggle, the pain, the fight. But here, on the other side of pain, there are wonderful things. Things that I recognize as blessings. Not blessings in disguise either. Real life, true, in your face, apparent, amazing, beautiful blessings. And they are not ever lost on me for one second. I am so thankful for everything that I have. I am also thankful for every ounce of pain that I endured because not only does it make me appreciate what I have, it also makes me realize that I deserve all the good things in my life.

“Be thankful for everything that happens in your life; it’s all an experience.”
― Roy T. Bennett

And isn’t that what true gratitude is? Appreciating the blessings, graciously accepting them into your life, and feeling that you are worthy of them all? This is where I stand today, on this Thanksgiving, filled with grace and gratitude and a genuine sense of self-worth. I am grateful for my journey. I am grateful that I can tell my story. And I am grateful that I have a forum to do just that.

My Thanksgiving wish for all of you is that you continue on your journey, whatever it is and wherever it leads, and appreciate every single step of the way. Because in the end, none of it will have been in vain. Every step will bring you closer to the person whom you have always dreamed you be. And that person is waiting patiently for you.

Thank you all for visiting my little space in blogland and for reading all of my philosophic wonderings. I appreciate your support, your interest, and your comments. I appreciate you and I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Feeling grateful on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Ups.

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for my Link Up On the Edge! Ada from Elegance and Mommyhood will be co-hosting with me and we have some fun fancy holiday outfit inspiration for you!