Over the last two years, my life has changed so much that I almost don’t even recognize it. Just three months ago I was the Vice President of Marketing at a 1.3-billion-dollar credit union in Southern California, and now I am a full-time mom, wife, and entrepreneur. My life is full of treasures some of which have been easy to spot. Like the fact that I am healthy and cancer-free. If you got to know me, you would not believe who I’ve become. I am happy, I love my life (as unconventional as it may be) and every day I think of three things that I am grateful for.
My life is a treasure
May 3, 2016, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and my life was forever changed. Once I had completed my treatments, I found myself looking around trying to figure out what I was supposed to do next. I would tell my husband how unhappy I was but that I didn’t know why. It was hard for me to feel grateful even though I know deep down that I should be. During my year of chemotherapy treatments, I remember my girlfriend Felicia asking me how I was doing, and when I answered I decided that I wasn’t going to sugarcoat my feelings.
I told her “I’m doing BAD! I feel horrible, I’m fluffy in all the wrong places and to top it off no part of me is ever in the mood…for anything.”
Every word I said was negative and matched how I was feeling on the inside. Felecia told me that I wasn’t going to feel better until I found reasons to feel better. She said that I had to start being grateful and proclaiming to the world what I was grateful for. She told me that no matter what my mood was that I was the one who controlled it and then she politely got off the phone. Did she have a point?
What was I grateful for?
Yes, she absolutely did. That next morning, I got out of bed still thinking about what she had said the day before. I went into the bathroom and took a little extra time to get the water just right. I added three drops of eucalyptus oil to my shower and I decided to put her theory to the test. I stepped into the warm, welcoming mist and let the water softly massage my head. I closed my eyes and inhaled the relaxing aroma. As I exhaled, I pushed out the constant chattering of my internal thoughts. I took control over my mind and peacefully took in the experience. After about 30 seconds of quiet, I began to talk. “The water feels so good on my head” was the first thing that I said, but I knew I needed to go deeper,
“I am so grateful for how wonderful the water feels on my head…Thank you.”
“I am grateful that we have a house, good food to eat and that ice cream still tastes good…Thank you.”
“I am grateful for how well my husband, son, and mom have taken care of me…Thank you.”
At that moment I saw firsthand how being grateful and saying the words aloud changed my mood and lifted my spirits. I didn’t need to go shopping or run a mile (which I couldn’t have done anyway) or eat half a bag of chips (okay let’s be honest, a whole bag of chips) I just needed to slow down and be grateful. So, you have probably already guessed the #1 way to find the treasures in your life.
#1 Be grateful for what you have.
Take 1 minute out of your day and say (out loud) three things that you are grateful for.
The next way to find the treasures in your life is to look in unlikely places. Three months ago I was terminated from my job. YES, terminated. I could have said separated, let go, laid off but when it all boils down, I was FIRED. My boss and HR walked into my office and told me that my job performance was not up to par and that regrettably I was being let go. They said I didn’t have to go home, but I couldn’t stay there. (Okay, I added the last part) I was devastated how could they fire me. It was like when your boyfriend breaks up with you, and you are so hurt and heartbroken, but deep down you knew you should have left him months ago.
#2 Recognize that loss needs to happen for growth to occur.
Think back to a time that you were devasted by a loss. It could have been losing a job, getting passed over for a promotion or being dumped. The treasure comes in learning how to mourn the loss and being thankful for the lessons you were taught from the experience. Once you give yourself time to heal you will be able to move on and move up to what life has in store for you. Some treasures come from the beauty in life, but others come from the harsh reality and pain of life.
Finally, the last point on this short list is to treat every day like a treasure. Remember there is beauty around every corner and that the pain of today will look different in tomorrow’s light.
#3 Tomorrow is a new day.
Today’s Hidden Treasure Moment is that life can sometimes bring us pain and sorrow. Growth comes in our ability to find the treasure in it all even in the moments that bring us pain.
I hope that you found another reason to love life. If you would like more, you can visit my website at www.KaraAdams.com or check out my weekly podcast at https://hiddentreasuremoments.podbean.com/.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, as an added bonus I have included a link to my FREE happiness survey https://karaadams.com/happiness-survey/.
Please leave your questions and thoughts in the comments section below.
Until we meet again…
Kara, you are doing an amazing job telling your story and empowering us all. Thank you for being so transparent with your journey, allowing us the ability to walk alongside your consistent growth. You are truly inspirational!
Thank you so much for your kind words. I have stepped out on faith and even though the journey has been pretty scary it has also been truly fulfilling.