Why a Snack Gave Me Immense Gratitude – Using a “difficult situation” to create appreciation
I was in the kitchen, catching up on the day with my husband. I suddenly noticed I was hungry and decided I could use a little snack. A huge wave of gratitude washed over me as I checked in the fridge to see what looked good. How wonderful it is to eat when I’m hungry!! I grabbed some almonds and cheese and then followed it up with a long drink of ice-cold water. It was wonderfully satisfying!
Maybe this sounds like something strange to be grateful for, but there’s a reason for my gratitude. The day before, I was prepping for a colonoscopy. If you’re over 50 years old, you probably know the routine. If not, let me tell you.
The morning before your colonoscopy, you eat a light breakfast. It will be over 24 hours before you have solid food again (after they’re done with the procedure the next day). After breakfast, you’re allowed to have only clear liquids for the rest of the day. I normally snack throughout the day so I was constantly noticing how hungry I felt, especially when my family enjoyed their yummy smelling food. It hit me how I usually never have to feel hunger!
That evening, the prep continues as you drink 8 ounces of “cleansing” liquid every 10 minutes until you finish the entire gallon. The taste gets nastier and nastier as the minutes tick by. After a few glasses, I felt incredibly full, and my stomach was strongly resisting the idea of drinking any more. I honestly don’t know how I managed to finish.
The next morning, you not only can’t eat anything, but you also can’t have anything to drink! The thought of a sip of cold water sounded wonderful!
The message behind my story is not just to complain but to also share how this “difficulty” created immense gratitude for me. I was thrilled when I finally finished drinking the prep-liquid, and I savored the victory. The next day I had a deep appreciation for drinking what I wanted and eating what I wanted.
What recent challenges (little or big) can you use to enjoy some heartfelt gratitude?
Tina Hallis, Ph.D., is a positivity speaker, trainer, and founder of The Positive Edge, a company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations create a more positive attitude, a positive culture. and positive results.
