Life has a way of showing up in varying degrees of defining moments. Sometimes, these moments are “good” and have a positive effect. But a lot of times, life hits you in the gut and it sucks whale anus, leaving painful ripples behind for much longer than we’d like.

Ah, yes… good ole’ Van Damme. Not sorry, he’s better than Chuck 😛 And I’ll die on that hill. *shrug*

But (here we go)… I digress!

I’m not one of those types that sees the glass half full. I’ve lived through far too much abuse, trauma, toxic relationships, and just life shit in general to delude myself into thinking that life is full of sunshine and rainbow farts (Skittles… taste the rainbow bahaha). Ahem. I don’t like having sunshine blown up MY ass, either, so I’ve learned – very well and with the help of a really great friend/mentor – that the truth (in all it’s painful glory) really does set you free.

Yep… I just did a Bible quote. 😑 HUGE Disclaimer: I am Agnostic/Skeptic. I believe in the validity of all faiths and none, and I adopted this mindset/motto from my bestie, who I’ll refer to as “Grannie Sídhe” (she knows who she is and why). Damnit… now I’m doing a Side Quest… I was raised Baptist from age 7 (i.e. ArkanHell) to 18. Once I became a legal adult, I yeeted myself out of religious institutions and haven’t looked back, except with disdain and resentment. I don’t [usually] fault anyone for needing/believing in things like that, to each their own. However, I abhor the types that use their faith/religion/beliefs to usurp my OTHER life mottos: Harm None (including yourself), Treat Others How THEY Want to be Treated, and Bodily Autonomy in ALL Things at ALL Times.

Back to the main. I’m a pretty hardcore pessimist when it comes to reality and life in general, considering my experiences, existing as I am now, and whatnot. But one thing I’m working on is being grateful for is The Little Things. And not the shitty ones, the good ones. However, I’m not here to blow sunshine up YOUR ass, either, so bear with me.

You see… life has a literal fuck-ton of shitty moments, big and small. Like Van Damme up there, these things can hit you straight in the gut and leave you feeling like you can’t catch a damn break. To me, “It’s the little things” doesn’t JUST apply to the small moments of joy, pleasure, happiness, or any other positive shite most “normal” (fuck political correctness lol) people feel once in a while. I mean, shit… I have Anhedonia and legitimately CAN’T feel any of that (right now?!). “It’s the little things” ALSO applies to those subtle, negative moments when you had a chance to pause and choose a better direction. Because, let’s face it, sometimes an unthought, exasperated sigh can hit that other person in the gut and trigger DECADES of feeling like they were a problematic burden that wasn’t worth a shit unless they were quiet, behaved, and useful. Maybe you didn’t intend for that sort of outcome, but it’s there and they can’t help it.

So yeah… be grateful for those little, positive sparkles that happen. Cherish those when you receive them, and hand them out like confetti at a Pride Parade…

But ALSO be aware of the tiny, stabby, negative moments, too… because you never know just how hard “the little things” can hit someone else. You might know how hard they hit YOU – like I do – in which case… remember how that feels and do your best not to cause that kind of shit-stain to others. Choose to pause and lift them up from the depths of their indelible suffering, or – at the very least – give them a reason to trust your safety even more. 😉