Question: Can the gratitude that one feels only be discovered through the darkest times?

As I observed my surroundings, the environment grabbed a hold of my neck. At the end of the class period, I gave myself five to ten minutes to notice something interesting. I sat and watched, observing… 

Everyone has their own agenda, subject to their own world. Some people will finish work from another class while others eat a light snack. Worst of all, more than 60 percent of the class’s habit is to scroll through social media. Life feels gray and cold. It’s hard to explain a feeling that is imposed within yourself, miles deep. When inspecting most people, many aren’t what they seem. They are lost, with little direction and limited room to move. The sense of obliviousness relays the question…”Can the gratitude that one feels only be discovered through the darkest times?”

Comparing my life to people who have more than me can cause envy and jealousy. What if I compared my life to someone who doesn’t have as much as me? The perspective of each individual changes when new factors come into play. Too many people wait before it’s too late. Plenty of reasons include anxiety, depression, and fear of being judged. That’s the problem. The surrounding students are caught up in a facade that isn’t easily torn. If everyone didn’t care what people thought about them, they wouldn’t have the fear of being judged. There’s a subconscious feeling in the mind of a human being; it tells them they’ll  never be enough. You can’t expect a rich person and a poor person to have the same reaction when they receive a million dollars. To the wealthier individual, it’s another added check. To the less fortunate fellow, it’s life changing. Gratitude isn’t something you can explain to someone unless they are able to experience it. You can’t realize the value of something until it’s gone. However, you can enjoy the most out of it. By working towards a goal, it’ll make the achievement worth more than what others value it. If you spend time and effort getting something, you won’t take it for granted. 

In life, everyone has their own path. Never compare yourself to others because each individual story is different. Focus on your goals, and let the gratitude outweigh the temporary happiness.