Finding Gratitude and Setting Boundaries

In life, it's not always easy to pinpoint what we're thankful for or to establish firm boundaries. Yet, both practices have profoundly impacted how I navigate life.

Setting boundaries has been crucial for me. My personal rule is to dedicate my time to Buswell Biomedical from 9-5, Monday through Friday, with a half-hour lunch break. This routine might sound full-on, but it's a far cry from the days when I worked 16-hour shifts, seven days a week. That relentless pace led to burnout and illness, making it clear that I needed to change.

Last week, I allowed my boundaries to be crossed, and the result was chaos. Looking back, I realize I should have simply said no. Just as I respect when others decline, I must honor my own limits.

Gratitude, too, holds immense power. Brene Brown reminds us that happiness often lies in appreciating ordinary moments. I strive to focus on what I have and where I want to be. As Naketa Ren Thigpen's podcast suggests, I aim my attention toward the positive points, much like a race car driver avoids a crash by focusing on the track, not the wall.

Yesterday, tornadoes swept through my area, forcing me into the basement. Instead of dwelling on the fear, I chose gratitude for the lack of stairs in my daily life. Maya Angelou's words resonate deeply: "This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before."

In practicing gratitude and setting boundaries, I find strength and peace in navigating life's challenges.