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The Power of Gratitude: How It Can Transform Your Outlook
Rock Bottom Rising: Volume 8
Christopher Paul
February 16th, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes
Welcome to Rock Bottom Rising
Hi, I’m Chris! Welcome to the Rock Bottom Rising community—I’m truly grateful you’re here. This space is all about growth, resilience, and finding hope in the hardest moments. I share my journey, along with stories, tools, and resources that have helped me, in the hope that they’ll help you too. No matter where you are in your journey, you’re not alone. Together, we rise.
Healing Isn’t Forgetting—It’s Learning to Carry the Load
Here’s what I’ve realized this week: having a predictable daily routine works wonders for my mental stability. Not a rigid, monotonous schedule, but a reliable structure with enough flexibility to keep things fresh. When my routine gets unexpectedly disrupted, my anxiety and irritability spike—I feel like I’ve lost control. I’ve learned that while I can’t plan for everything, having a general sense of what to expect each day helps me stay grounded. As Outkast wisely put it, “You can plan a pretty picnic, but you can’t predict the weather.”
I’ve also come to understand that you don’t necessarily “get over” heartbreak, grief, or trauma. These experiences don’t just disappear—you carry them with you. You might suppress them, compartmentalize them, or find a way to channel them into something meaningful. Over time, though, you build the mental and emotional strength to bear the weight more easily. It doesn’t mean the pain is gone—it just becomes part of the journey, one that you learn to navigate with resilience.
Table of Contents
The Power of Gratitude: How It Can Transform Your Outlook
We will always want more. No matter how much we achieve, we instinctively reach for the next milestone, striving to lift ourselves and those we care about even higher. Society tells us to always move forward, to never look back—but I believe in the value of an occasional glance. Not to dwell on the past, but to appreciate how far we’ve come.
A year ago, I was drowning in unemployment, depression, anxiety, and relentless stress. At my lowest, the thought of giving up crossed my mind more times than I’d like to admit. But something kept me going: the realization that life isn’t just about me. There are others who love and need me—most of all, my children. They became my reason to push forward, to heal, and to fight for a better future. Whether or not you have kids, there is always something or someone to be grateful for. Gratitude doesn’t erase our struggles, but it shifts our perspective, allowing us to see the light even in our darkest moments.
The Science Behind Gratitude
Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s a proven tool for mental and emotional well-being. Studies have shown that practicing gratitude can:
Reduce stress and anxiety by shifting focus away from negative thoughts.
Improve overall happiness by rewiring the brain to recognize and appreciate positive experiences.
Strengthen relationships by fostering deeper connections with others.
Increase resilience by helping us find meaning in challenges rather than being overwhelmed by them.
How to Cultivate Gratitude in Everyday Life
Gratitude is a habit, and like any habit, it takes practice. Here are a few simple ways to incorporate it into your daily life:
1. Keep a Gratitude Journal
Make it a habit to jot down three things you're grateful for each day. They don’t have to be big or life-changing—sometimes, it’s the little things that matter most. A kind smile from a stranger, the warmth of your morning coffee, or the peaceful moment before bed can all be reminders of the good in your life.
2. Shift Your Perspective
When facing a difficult situation, try to find one thing you can appreciate about it. Maybe a setback is redirecting you to a better path. Maybe a loss is teaching you resilience. Gratitude isn’t about ignoring struggles but about reframing them.
3. Express Your Appreciation
Tell the people in your life that you appreciate them. A simple “thank you” or an unexpected message of gratitude can strengthen relationships and uplift both you and the recipient.
4. Reflect on How Far You’ve Come
When self-doubt creeps in, take a moment to look back at your progress. Even if you’re not where you want to be yet, acknowledge the obstacles you’ve overcome. You’re still here. You’re still trying. And that alone is worth celebrating.
Final Thoughts
Gratitude won’t magically solve all of life’s challenges, but it can be the anchor that keeps us steady through the storms. It reminds us that even in hardship, there’s still good to be found. And when we choose to focus on that good, we create space for more of it to grow.
So, take that occasional glance back—not to dwell on the past, but to honor your journey. Recognize how far you’ve come, and know that there is still so much ahead to be grateful for.
What's your story?
Share your experience by emailing [email protected].
Your story can inspire others and remind them they're not alone.
Resource Spotlight: The Power of Gratitude
The video discusses the benefits of gratitude and mindfulness for mental health. It highlights how Eastern cultures have long emphasized the mind-body connection, while Western medicine often focuses on quick fixes like medication. The video cites studies that show how expressing gratitude can improve mental and physical well-being, reduce stress, and increase optimism. It encourages viewers to practice gratitude daily and share their experiences in the comments.
Community Spotlight: Unbreakable: A Story of Strength, Loss, and Resilience
By: Anonymous Contributor
Some people crumble under the weight of loss. Others refuse to be broken. My mother is the latter.
She and my dad were soulmates in the truest sense—two people who perfectly balanced each other, filling in each other's gaps, amplifying each other's strengths. In my entire childhood, I can only remember one argument between them. They were meant to be. And then, cancer took him.
Losing him shattered her world, but grief didn't give her time to process. My dad left behind a business, and my mom, despite her grief, took the reins, determined to keep it running. She had no experience, but she had grit. Unfortunately, my dad’s business partner—a dirty, double-crossing bastard—saw her vulnerability as an opportunity. He stole from the company, draining it to the point of collapse. The fallout turned into a grueling four-year court battle.
Meanwhile, life didn’t pause for her to catch her breath. She was now a widow, a single mother to a heavily depressed high schooler (who, thanks to her unwavering support, is doing much better now—hallelujah). She had to find work for the first time in 25 years. She lost close friends and family—the ones my dad had been the glue holding together. She even lost our old dog, who passed away from age, a small mercy amid the storm. And then there were all the loose ends my dad had left behind, whether unwillingly or unwittingly, that she had to sort through alone.
Her entire world collapsed around her, again and again. And every time, she clawed her way out of the wreckage.
Four years later, she is almost unrecognizable from the woman she once was—but not in the way you might expect. She is stronger than even she believed possible. She never stopped moving forward, never let the weight of loss keep her down. Maybe it was because she knew that’s what my dad would have wanted. Maybe it was because she refused to let grief define her.
I was stationed overseas through most of this, disconnected from the daily battles she fought. But now, looking at her, I see someone who has been through hell and refused to let it consume her. She is proof that resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship—it’s about standing back up, no matter how many times life knocks you down.
And my mom? She never stopped standing.
Weekly Inspiration: Man Finds Heartfelt Note in Mailbox From Firefighters
In January 2025, a devastating wildfire swept through Pacific Palisades, California, leaving many residents anxious about the fate of their homes. One such resident, Tony Nesburn, returned to find his house miraculously intact. Inside his mailbox, he discovered a heartfelt letter from four firefighters of the El Segundo Fire Department's Engine 31 "C" Platoon.
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.
Our Mission
To create a supportive community that provides hope, resources, and guidance for individuals recovering from life's lowest points, helping them rebuild and rediscover their strength through shared experiences and practical support.
Together We Rise
Millions of people—of all ages and backgrounds, from all over the world—have experienced, are experiencing, or will experience hitting rock bottom at some point in their lives.
What does it mean to hit rock bottom? While some call it a midlife crisis, each person's experience is unique. It might be an overwhelming battle with depression or other mental health challenges. It might be severe financial hardship. It might be a marriage or relationship crumbling beyond repair. It might be an addiction that feels impossible to overcome. It may be the insurmountable grief from an unexpected loss. Often, it's a combination of these struggles.
Crisis Resources
USA
In an emergency, dial 911 from your phone immediately.
 988 offers 24/7 judgment-free support for mental health, substance use, and more. Text, call, or chat 988. |
International
Next Week
Here’s what’s coming in next week’s newsletter.
Finding Light in the Darkness: How to Cultivate Hope
Mental Break
Happy belated Valentine’s Day. We’re rocking that mangerie. 💖
Last Word
Thank you for reading—I truly appreciate you being here. I hope something in today’s message resonated with you or brought you value. If you have feedback, a story to share, or ideas for contributing to this community, I’d love to hear from you! You can always reach me at [email protected].
Your support means the world and helps this community grow. If you know someone who could benefit from this content, please share it with them! They can subscribe here: rockbottomrising.com/subscribe.
We’re in this together. 💛
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