Thankful For The Right Kind Of Problems

Remember you prayed to be where you are in your life right now...

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash

Last week Thursday was the Thanksgiving holiday celebration in the United States. It is a time to give thanks, count blessings, and reflect on all things to be thankful for — family, health, stability, success, and yes, delicious food.

So naturally, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’m thankful for. In my reflective state, I have gained a new kind of perspective, an epiphany, maybe, on the type of thanks I have to give.

The last couple of months I’ve had recurring anxieties because there have been many changes happening in my life.

I got engaged to my wonderful partner in August and it has been wonderful. After you get engaged the next step is to plan a wedding and as you can expect it’s been a whirlwind. Cue my anxieties. Starting the process of planning, coordinating family members, and scheduling across international borders and time zones has been overwhelming and exhausting. I’ve been anxious and sometimes even scared about all the responsibilities and potential headaches of planning such an important event.

So really I can (and should, and must) complain, but really, also, I can’t complain.

These new stressors are a testament to the expansion of my life. My problems signal that I’m transitioning into a new and fuller life stage with a new larger family, new activities, and celebrations that make me feel rooted, loved, cared for, and surrounded by community. A heart community. I’m growing and progressing and this growth comes with its own set of challenges. And that’s okay.

So, I am thankful for the right kind of problems.

There’s a saying that goes “Remember you prayed to be where you are in your life right now”. Every life stage is a step up and progress from a previous stage. Even if you feel you have nothing to be thankful for or you feel stuck or regressed, the fact that you are a year older is progress and growth (literally). Be thankful for that.

So as we go in full swing into the holiday season, as you take count of your blessings, try a different outlook on the problems you have right now and see how they are indicative of a step up from your previous life stage. Be thankful for the new kinds of problems that come with the progress you’ve made in life. Fighting with your otherwise wonderful partner? You have a wonderful partner. Not sleeping because of the baby? Your family is expanding. Stressed about exams? You’re in school. Stressed with work? Remember when you were stressed about getting this job? Overwhelmed with holiday hosting and gift shopping? Well, this one is easy. Be thankful for the right kind of problems.

What did Biggie say? “Mo Money Mo Problems”. Problems yes, but also more money am I right or am I right?

Happy Thanksgiving!