
Has this year been one of turmoil for you? Ultimate worry? Disappointments? Or perhaps it feels like a series of unmet expectations?
It’s easy to focus on what didn’t go the way we wanted. But let’s pause for a moment. What about the things that didn’t turn out as planned yet somehow brought you closer to what you actually needed? Have you thought about the moments that made you smile, that sparked wonder, or simply made you feel — truly feel?
We often fixate on what went wrong, on what didn’t happen, rather than appreciating what did. Why is that? It’s almost as if we’re hardwired to overlook our progress and dismiss how far we’ve come. This mindset can rob us of recognizing the growth and changes we’ve experienced.
At its core, perception shapes our reality. But what if our perception has been hijacked? What if we’ve been conditioned to see life through a lens of lack, constantly measuring ourselves against entitlements decided by others? Governments, peers, family, society — who are they to decide what we should be entitled to? And now, we’re even taught to feel “grateful” for these entitlements, as if basic human existence is something we need to earn.
Let’s explore this idea of gratitude. Waking up each morning, eating, sleeping — these are fundamental aspects of being alive. Why should we feel “grateful” for these things when they are intrinsic to our human experience? Framing gratitude in this way can sometimes make us feel “less than,” as though we are undeserving of life’s natural rhythms. Gratitude should not diminish us but uplift us.
As humans, we are inherently equipped to experience a wide range of emotions. Happiness and sadness, joy and grief — these contrasts are part of what it means to be alive. We aren’t meant to be trapped in perpetual happiness or endless sadness. Instead, these emotional contrasts make up our experiences and give life its depth.
Acknowledging our emotions, both the highs and lows, allows us to fully embrace what it means to be human. But we don’t have to stop there. When we move beyond this emotional framework, we can start to connect with something deeper: our Essence.
Essence transcends emotions, comforts, and entitlements. It’s not about feeling grateful or undeserving; it’s about connection. Connection to all that is. Essence is the quiet yet profound state of being in harmony with life itself. What does it mean to be in connection with “all that is”? That’s a topic worth exploring in greater depth. For now, let’s reflect on this: the beauty of our humanity lies not in what we’re given or denied, but in how we experience, grow, and connect with the world in and around us