I recently taught a yoga class and wanted to find a poignant reading to set the tone for the morning. As a student I like the words yoga teachers offer…little nuggets of perspective or wisdom that everyone in the room may hear somewhat differently to fit their current life circumstance. I could only hope to find something profound, but know that often the most impactful comes with the simplest of messages.

In searching, I came across a reading that caught me off guard as it offered a contrary view to the all-too-common message of “staying present”, or the forward-thinking that usually accompanies the completion of another year. This particular quote encouraged reflection of days gone by and seeking gratitude in the hard. In recognizing the victories couldn’t have occurred without the challenges we faced, and that we were still standing. We were still here. It hit me as I read the words in front of me, that we had (at the time ) seven more weeks left in the year. Seven more weeks left in the decade. That there were some hard days in the past year but I had moved through them and there was gratitude to be found in it all. That my current story was mine to write and couldn’t have been possible without all that had been. I offer the same words for you below. May it allow a smile for past days, acknowledgement for current wins and set the stage for bigger wins (and triumphs) in the coming year(s).