All a matter of perspective....what are you grateful for?

Having recently lost both of my parents over a time span of 3 years it has really changed my perspective on life and how I view others in a devastating situation.

Although many people have come up to me and told me how well I handled everything and how I never openly exhibited how bad the circumstances were - by never being overly dramatic, but always remaining logical in all decisions, I just don't see the situation as they did. Don't get me wrong...the circumstances couldn't have been worse, but no matter how bad, I always felt like there was someone worse off than I was.

Many days are still difficult, but with no option except to move forward I find that there are many things I am grateful for...such as that my health is fairly good and that I have friends who care for me who are like my family so I will never truly ever be completely alone. It took me a LONG time to get to this point.

One thing I have come to understand is that if you do not have good health then no amount of money can comfort the fact that you are sick when there is no chance of recovery. I think that I have learned a hard lesson very early on in life and it amazes me at how much people concentrate on the pettiness in life on a daily basis.

Things that used to bother me no longer don't. Many people who have suffered in life (whether by seeing a family member suffer or themselves) behave the exact opposite and become a negative force instead of being grateful for what they do have left. I have seen both positive and negative behaviors from different people. Those that choose to exhibit a positive behavior seem to be more at peace with themselves as compared to those who do not.

I am grateful that I had the parents I did (it took me a long time to truly understand what I had), that my health is decent, my friends care for me, and that I can still take care of myself.

What are you grateful for in life?

It took me 3 years also to get to this point. When my mom died I was so angry and bitter that no one could pull me out. When my dad died it wasn't nearly as bad, or maybe because I knew there was nothing I could do that I had to accept it.

I do still have bad days, but I am a much better person overall today. My attitude has changed and I try to be grateful for what I do have. Coming home to an empty house is very hard and often painful. My friends are my only family considering I cut off my dad's family and my mom's lives so far away.

My job is really the only thing I have left so the routine helps.

All I can hope for is that I remain in good health because if I get sick there is no one to help me.

Keeping that into consideration I try to make the most of each day.

Despite what I have gone through I always think others are worse off than I am and try to help anyway I can. Hopefully, karma will be good to me one day and maybe something good will happen. It doesn't have to be to me, but maybe for someone else who needs it.

I am truly very sorry about your fiance. That seems so unfair considering how young he was. Not to even be able to fully experience life. Last year my uncle died unexpectantly, then a week later I had to put my cat down, and right before christmas my dad died. Needless to day, I know how you feel.

You are right - he touched your life in a way that not all people will ever experience. Hang onto that and never forget.

My mom believed that the only thing constant in life is change. Sometimes I still have problems with this concept. Whether I accept it or not, there is no option but to move forward.

I read a book recently called "Life Lessons" and would recommend it to anyone who would like another insight into life and the different stages that we go through. It can be reread and for all walks of life.