This year has been a tough one on my body, from managing expected spinal pain to unexpected  salmonella hospitalisation. So, when I tested positive to lousy Covid again on Sunday, I was more than ready to accept an invite to my own personal pity party! I had good reason to grumble, I told myself. And quickly, my mind was listing other things I could add to my pity playlist, beyond feeling poorly. 

Suddenly I was struck with a choice. Indulge in the slippery slope of self-pity or get off this dark ride because experience has taught me it’s very hard to stop feeling sorry for myself once I start. I’ve learnt I need to own these feelings, speak to my best friend, my wife Megan, seek God’s help, take positive action and “tear up” the pity party invite. 

Gratitude, goals and perspective help me reframe my feelings.

This morning it was good to go on a quick 10-minute car “date” with Megan, while she grabbed us a take-away coffee at one of our favourite local cafes. It has been good to send a thank you note to the team I am privileged to lead, chat on the phone with my older kids up north and read encouraging birthday greetings from good friends. Tonight, we will eat in for my birthday dinner. PJs will the dress code. But there will be good food on the table. We will be in a warm house. We won’t go to bed wondering how we will make the next mortgage or rent payment – and I won’t put my head on a pillow like those in Raffa or Kharkiv, wondering whether I may still be alive tomorrow. I have so much to be thankful for. Gratitude is a daily life-changer.

Despite my health challenges I have been enjoying getting back into running and walking his year. It has been challenging physically, but so good for my mind. Today, I’ve explored and began planning for a few longer hikes I would like to do before the year is out. It’s good to set life-giving goals when a pity-party is calling.

And be it in my local friendship circle, across the socials’ network, or global work community, today I am mindful of so many others facing much tougher circumstances than me. I am inspired by their stories of courage, resilience, hope and faith. I’m challenged by their passionate commitment to justice and their focus on others. Their stories help me climb up off the self-pity slippery slope and I am so thankful for their reframing inspiration.

And I’m thankful for many of you – friends who continue to encourage me in all seasons of life. It’s good to have companions on the journey, valued people in your corner.