Express gratitude for lessons learned. Every mistake is an opportunity for growth.

Mistakes, when viewed with an open mind, can be transformative. Consider a scenario where a work presentation went awry due to procrastination. While this may seem like a setback, it presents an opportunity for growth. By re-framing the situation, you can identify areas for improvement, such as better time management and increased motivation. In essence, the mistake becomes a catalyst for personal development.

Living in addiction, we make lots of mistakes. I had a ton of regrets and so many past mistakes I can hardly remember a fraction of them. In my darkest days, I was rude, didn’t keep my word, lied, was irresponsible, not dependable, etc. Today, I’m grateful for those mistakes because they eventually motivated my sobriety. Shame can be a big motivator.

Also, pay it forward. When you learn a lesson the hard way, share the experience with someone to be helpful. Showing gratitude helps flip the script from feeling bad to feeling empowered. As they say, turn a negative into a positive.

What gratitude do you have today? Think of something from your past that could have been much worse. Be grateful it wasn’t.