In life, we must always deal with the various energies around us, and some of those energies are not peaceful. Some people don’t have gratitude, so they attack what brings joy, healing, and wellness. Gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is good; it’s about remembering that something is. It’s about noticing the things that are easy to miss; indeed, it’s about seeing what we often take for granted. Because we are so busy, we sometimes forget to see differently.

People often ask me what I love most about my work, and my answer usually surprises them. In an online world, my favorite moments are offline; they happen when I’m getting to know people. These moments are shared with friends who have open hearts, so they feel sacred.

Many years ago, I was in Tanzania, and the experience changed me. We were at a sculpture school in the small town of Bagamoyo; it was a magical place outside Dar Es Salaam. Because the town overlooked the sea, every day felt like a gift. Every day, we’d sit on the beach together, and we’d listen to the waves. The school was a large wooden hut right on the sand; it was simple, but it felt like home. Just a few people were there, the principal, some students, and the sound of waves. Because everyone was finally relaxed, the conversations were deep and honest.

The principal would tell us stories, and each one carried a quiet wisdom. He spoke about his travels; he shared the people he met and the moments that shaped him. What struck me wasn’t just the stories themselves; indeed, it was how he told them. There was no blame, and there was no drama. There was no judgment; instead, there was just the experience. Just the truth was offered, and just what was remained.

Listening to him, I realized something simple but powerful: Every one of us carries two stories about our lives, and each one tells a different truth. One version says everything went wrong; the other simply says everything happened. Because he always chose the second one, he felt peaceful. Not because his life was perfect, far from it, but because he chose the story that didn’t keep him stuck in the hurt.

I’m not saying to ignore your pain, and I’m not asking you to suppress difficult times. I’m just encouraging all of us to notice the beauty even in the pain; indeed, there is joy in the difficulty.

These days on the beach taught me something lasting: Peace isn’t found in having a perfect life, but in choosing the gentler story. Because the gentler story frees your heart, it allows you to move forward. We observed and we learned, and we were changed by what we saw. As long as we have an open heart, nothing can truly hurt us.

♥️