Why You’re Doing Better Than You Think: Embrace Growth and Let Go of Stress

No question about it, life can be challenging, but you may be doing better than you realize! This post explores signs of progress, from your resilience and personal growth to the importance of letting go of stress. Discover how small victories and daily gratitude can illuminate your journey.

The Weight of the Glass

I recently heard a story about a psychology professor who once taught her students a valuable lesson about stress. While holding a glass of water, she asked them how heavy it was. The students gave different answers, but the professor explained that the actual weight didn’t matter. What mattered was how long she held it. If she held it for a few minutes, it was light. If she held it for hours, her arm would ache. And if she held it all day, her arm would become numb, forcing her to drop it. 

The lesson was clear: stress and worries are like that glass of water. The longer you hold on to them, the heavier they feel. It’s important to let go of your burdens before they become overwhelming. If you’re still feeling the weight of yesterday’s stress, it’s a sign that it’s time to put the glass down. (For more see https://www.marcandangel.com/2013/05/21/4-short-stories-change-the-way-you-think/)

Keep Trying

Life can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to lose sight of how much progress you've made. One of the clearest signs that you’re doing better than you think is that you keep trying. No matter how tough things get, you keep moving forward, even if it's just one small step at a time. This resilience is powerful and shows that you have the strength to face whatever comes your way.

I can’t imagine loosing three children and continuing to try to live life, but that’s what happened to Mary Minachi. Mary, a mother who lost three children to a rare blood disorder found joy in loving life, just as her children did despite their illness. Each of them embraced life fully, focusing on gratitude and creativity rather than dwelling on their fate. Their strength and positivity were a source of warmth and inspiration, even as they faced early death. Mary realized that to honour her children’s memory, she must also embrace life with the same vigor and love.

Loving life, no matter the challenges, is enough to carry on with hope and joy. (For the whole story see https://content.schoolinsites.com/api/documents/fc531f6edc2d4bcd8ec58dbe12a06b15.pdf)

Helping Others

Another sign of your progress is your desire to help others. You genuinely care about the people around you and want the best for them. Whether it’s offering support to a friend or volunteering in your community, your compassion makes a real difference. This willingness to give of yourself is a testament to your character and the positive impact you have on the world. Take a moment to reflect on this. Who do care about and what have you done to help them in the past year no matter how small or seemingly insignificant?

Personal Growth

Consider how much you’ve changed over the past few years. You’re not the same person you were—you’ve grown, adapted, and learned from your experiences. This personal growth is significant. It shows that you’re not stagnant, but rather, you’re continuously evolving into a stronger, wiser version of yourself.

Gratitude for Today

Finally, reflect on the simple fact that you woke up this morning with a roof over your head. It’s easy to overlook, but this basic security is a tremendous blessing. Being alive, having shelter, and waking up each day are all things to be grateful for. These small yet significant aspects of life provide a solid foundation on which you can continue to build and grow. One of the most powerful things we can do for ourselves is to regularly practice gratitude, count our blessings and share it with others. John Kralik’s story is evidence of this…

On New Year’s Day, a voice told John, “Until you learn to be grateful for what you have, you will not receive what you want.” Kralik’s journey began by writing 365 thank you notes, one each day which transformed his outlook and life. 

Expressing gratitude, whether through notes or actions, not only fosters positive emotions but also stands out in a world of impersonal communication. Kralik's experience teaches us that gratitude is a rare gift that grows the more we give it away. If you want to embrace gratitude, try writing thank you notes; it may change your life as it did for John Kralik. (For more, see https://www.forbes.com/sites/omaidhomayun/2015/09/13/how-this-simple-act-of-gratitude-can-impact-your-life/)

You’re doing better than you think!

Remember, you’re doing better than you think! Keep moving forward, let go of what you can’t control, and trust in the progress you’re making every day.