EvictionAs seen in Obscurae Magazine Volume 2, Issue 2. Gratitude is taking time to think about, acknowledge and be grateful for the things we have.  Showing gratitude in a structured way can help people out of depression or simply help them live a more happy fulfilled life.

To me toxic negativity is when your unable to see those good things and you hone into only the negative things.  I know for me personally, once I start falling into this trap, bad is all I can see anywhere and it is a downward spiral from there.

I have noticed a lot of toxic negativity online lately in a variety of places.  I often wonder why people who have such great opportunities and freedoms can go out and complain or find fault in everything.  Why aren't they grateful for certainly if I had that same opportunity, I would be.

The reality is nothing is all perfect or good in the same way nothing is all horribly bad.  Almost everything has it's ups and downs and it's good things and bad things. 

We need to figure out our priorities, our goals and then be willing to sacrifice and pay that price, whatever it might be, to achieve those.  The price may mean moving away for that dream job, even if it's not the ideal city for you.  It could mean not pursuing that job because family is what is most important for you.  It's all choices and each one has some sacrifice. 

The whole idea that a person can have it "ALL" is a fallacy.  As an example, the mother with the high powered executive career sacrificed time with her children where the mom who leaves her high powered career to stay at home with the kids gets the benefit of that time with them but may not be able to resume her career when they are grown up. 

In photography, since this is a photography blog, it's about figuring out what you want to do with that photography, how to follow your passion and go for it in a way that fits your priorities in life overall, while understanding there may be sacrifices along the way.

For example, I enjoy creating artistic pieces that aren't necessarily what is big in home decor, aren't necessarily true fashion and my goal is to get into galleries.  And it's taken me several years of doing a whole lot of other things with the photography to get to this point.  People have suggested I quit my career in financial compliance to be a photographer.  That they know someone who makes lots of money photographing sports teams or weddings or (insert whatever else here). 

But why would I give up a career I've worked hard at and am doing well in to pursue a job I have no interest in?  I have no desire to photograph sports teams professionally (unless you can get me on the pro football field that is).  I find wedding and event photography far more stressful than I wish to deal with.  So I keep my "day job" which means less time for photography.  At times I have complained.  I mean, who doesn't want to be independently wealthy and able to do whatever they want with no need to earn income from it, right?  But by keeping my day job gives me the freedom to photograph what I want, how I want and with no need to earn money from it.  If it resonates with someone, wonderful, if not, as long as it resonates with me, I'm good.

So take a moment and think about what you have and try to make a habit out of it.  If you spend your time focused on the things you have in your life and your goals, you will have far less time to dwell on what you don't have and in the long run, that leads to more fulfillment and happiness.

Live with gratitude, not negativity.  Be humble and grateful for what you have.  And try to give back in some way.