Gratitude is a simple yet transformative practice that can shift your mindset and improve your life. This well-known parable serves as a powerful reminder of its importance:

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign that read, 
“I am blind, please help.”
Only a few coins trickled into the hat, spare change from hurried passersby.
One day, a man walked by, dropped some coins into the boy’s hat, and paused. He picked up the sign, turned it around, and wrote something new. Handing it back to the boy, he placed it where everyone walking by could see the updated message.
Soon, the hat began to fill up. More people stopped to contribute, offering more than just spare change.
Later that afternoon, the man returned to check on the boy. Recognizing the man’s footsteps, the boy asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”
The man replied, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said, but in a different way.”
He had written:
“Today is a beautiful day, but I cannot see it.”
Both signs were truthful, but the first simply stated a fact, while the second encouraged reflection. It gently reminded people of something they might take for granted—their ability to see—and inspired them to give.

Why Gratitude Matters
This story beautifully illustrates the power of perspective and the importance of gratitude. When we focus on what we have rather than what we lack, we open ourselves to joy, kindness, and abundance.
Yet, when life feels overwhelming, maintaining gratitude can be difficult. Our minds circle back to problems, making them feel bigger with each repetition. Breaking that cycle isn’t easy, but there are tools and practices that can help.

My Go-To Tools for Gratitude

When I’ve faced tough times, journaling and using positive affirmation cards have been my lifelines—and they still are. Here’s what I recommend:
  • Affirmation Cards: Whenever negativity strikes, pull out an affirmation card or look up a positive affirmation. Reflect on its message, write it down, and repeat it. This simple act helps to shift your mindset, often bringing a sense of calm and clarity. My favorite affirmation deck is “Open Your Heart” Affirmations with Healing Touch Art. You can check them out here.
  • Journaling: Journaling allows you to process your thoughts and emotions, creating space for gratitude and reflection. When you catch yourself in a spiral of negativity, grab your journal and list everything you’re grateful for—even the smallest things. This practice helps you reconnect with the good in your life and break the cycle of negativity.
  • If you’re unsure where to start, I’ve created a printable gratitude journal PDF with prompts to guide you and you can get it here. 
  • You can also use your favorite notebook to begin.

The Benefits of Gratitude
Practicing gratitude doesn’t just shift your mindset—it can transform your entire life. Research shows that gratitude can:
  • Improve mental and physical health
  • Increase happiness and well-being
  • Reduce stress and anxiety
  • Strengthen relationships and connections
When you focus on what you’re thankful for, it’s impossible to dwell on the negative. Gratitude invites a sense of peace and abundance into your life.

Take  Action
Don’t get caught up in complaints or the chaos of daily life. Take a moment right now to reflect on what you’re grateful for.
When was the last time you expressed gratitude? If you can’t remember, now is the perfect time to start. Write down three things you’re thankful for today.
Gratitude is a small but powerful practice that can create lasting positive change. Why not start your journey today?



Xoxo
Urszula



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I've always felt there must be more to life than just going to school, working, cooking, and cleaning. 
Growing up, this was my mother’s routine, and for a long time, I thought it was mine to follow as well. I believed life was predetermined—shaped by social status and the expectations of those around us. Our family didn’t hold any special status, and I struggled with feelings of inadequacy. I thought of myself as ugly, too short, too heavy—frankly, I didn't like myself much at all.

But as I grew older, I began to feel a growing discomfort. I knew deep down that I wanted something different from life, something more. It took me years to understand that we are often shaped by others' expectations—parents, teachers, society—and that we can lose our true identity when we conform to someone else's vision of who we should be. I fell into that trap, and it led to poor decisions and a deep yearning for love, attention, and happiness. But no matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t find it outside of myself.

Growing up in Eastern Europe had a profound effect on my belief system. I didn’t feel like I had a voice, and when my family immigrated to Canada, that feeling intensified. I didn’t speak English, and the frustration of not being able to express myself made me feel even more lost and isolated. I struggled to belong, feeling like I didn’t fit in anywhere, and that emotional rollercoaster was slowly breaking me down. I had no idea who I was or what my purpose was on this planet.

To make matters worse, as I entered menopause, my health started to deteriorate. I felt sore, exhausted, uncomfortable, and trapped in a body that wasn’t listening to me. I was desperate for relief. Does any of this sound familiar?

For years, I struggled to reconnect with my true self, but I never gave up. I knew in my heart that the key to peace, happiness, and health was finding and following my own path. After countless books, webinars, and guidance from holistic teachers and coaches, I finally realized something powerful: I could rewrite my own story. I wasn’t stuck with the old programming I had absorbed—I could change the narrative.

Was it easy? Absolutely not. But the journey was worth every step. Rebuilding myself from the inside out, letting go of limiting beliefs, and embracing my body—just as it is—allowed me to finally live a life of joy and fulfillment. I’m still a work in progress, but that’s part of the beauty of life: it’s always evolving.
Through self-care, self-love, and total acceptance of who I am, I gained the confidence and courage to live a life of true freedom. Now, I am the author of my own fairy tale, fully owning my story and loving myself along the way. It’s the bravest thing I’ve ever done.

If you’re looking for inspiration or simply someone to share your journey with, let’s connect! I would love to hear your story, answer your questions, or just chat. Feel free to message me on social media or email me anytime—I’d love to hear from you!

xoxo

Urszula

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