The Gratitude Blueprint: 33 Ways to Turn Life's Lemons into Lemonade

There was a time when my focus was solely on lack. I centered my attention on the things I did not have, on goals I had not achieved, and on people who did not reciprocate the same energy.

This created a void within me, leaving me feeling empty most of the time.

Perhaps many of us can relate to feeling unmotivated, drained, or complacent in a world where the pursuit of material success dominates today's era.

I remember when I left my job at NATO, filled with big dreams of building empires, making millions in a set number of years, and traveling the world to speak, train, and transform.

I was intensely focused on the results, on the allure of glittering gold, and on achieving great material wealth.

Then came a twist of fate—the pandemic—which humbled me in ways I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

It transformed my perspective on success, on 'big dreams', and on goal setting.

I still harbor big dreams, incredibly big dreams. If I were to share them, most would think I am crazy.

And for the first field in my life, I am totally okay with that.

Because everything that has happened to me in these past years, happened for me.

When we dream big but live small, our dreams are built on sand.

So life throws us lemons for us to make lemonade, not to drink limoncello.

Life presents challenges to build a metal foundation that becomes unbreakable, no matter the storms of life.

Life presents challenges so we can work on and build things that no one can take away from us:

• Our mindset
• Our attitude
• Our character
• Our heart
• Our discipline
• Our ambition

But how do you navigate the dark times in life?

How do you find peace when storm after storm keeps crumbling your foundations before you can build anew?

How do you feel joy when misery seems to seek your company?

I make no secret of my struggles in life, and I probably need to start writing my book as I haven't even shared 10% of what I've been through in this newsletter.

Everyone has big dreams and great ambitions.

But very few are willing to pay the price for their dreams and ambitions—a price that matches your ambition.

When I left my job at NATO, I was not equipped to make my dreams come true.

I wasn't ready to deal with the lows of entrepreneurship to experience the highs.

I wasn't ready to lose it all only to find strength and start from scratch.

I wasn't ready to see people for who they are until they showed me their true colors during my lowest moments.

I wasn't ready to walk away from people, things, and places that did not honor, respect, and love the real me—not the idea they had developed in their minds.

I wasn't ready to experience zero cash flow, zero support, and still get up, show up, do the work, and keep moving forward.

I wasn't ready to face rejection after rejection, especially from those I thought would have my back as I had theirs.

And the list goes on.

The struggle may be different for each of us, but the challenges are real when we dream big.

So what's the silver bullet to get through these challenges, find peace with where you are, and feel excited about where you're headed?

Gratitude.

The biggest misconception we spread is that life is not that simple. This is not true.

Life is simple.

The more grateful you are for what you have and where you are, the more you will attain.

The laws of the universe are not woo-woo; they are real.

And how you feel—your heart coherence—is of utmost importance to achieve brain-heart coherence and make your dreams a reality.

There are many other laws at play, and one day I will write about my own experiences in researching, studying and living this aspect of life.

But for now, I will share a snippet of my manifesto of Gratitude, which has helped me through the darkness of life, using the sticks and stones to rise and pursue what I want.

Stronger...

Wiser...

More determined than ever.

These are based on my own life experiences, and for gratitude affirmations to work for you, I invite you to reflect and write your own.

If you don't subconsciously believe what you are saying, it's hard to trick your mind into believing it's already done.

Because that's the secret—believing it's already done and living life from a place where the void within you is replaced with certainty that life happens for you, and that something bigger than your mind can grasp is taking care of you.

My Manifesto of Gratitude (In No Particular Order)

1. I am grateful for the airflow that flows in and out of my lungs every second of every minute of every day. It is this airflow that keeps me alive.
2. I am grateful for my beating heart that pumps blood through every vein in my body and sends oxygen to my brain so I can think, analyze, and create what eyes have not yet seen.
3. I am grateful for my hands and to experience sensations when I hug my son and my pet.
4. I am grateful for my legs and feet as the gift of walking with both legs is one we too often take for granted.
5. I am grateful for clean water to wash away my worries and negative energies and to feel renewed, ready to tackle life's challenges with a breath of fresh air.
6. I am grateful for the roof above my head that keeps my son, myself, and my pet safe and sound. My heart aches for those who sleep on the streets, and I pray for their safety too.
7. I am grateful for the food on my table, and I eat mindfully as I feed my body only nourishing ingredients. Our body is our vessel in life to help us achieve our dreams with more energy each day.
8. I am grateful for my workspace, my artifacts, and my iMac. Being able to turn my ideas into creative expressions to help others is a gift I cherish every day.
9. I am grateful for my mother who, even when she had nothing, took from her nothing to give to me.
10. I am grateful for my son who has been a constant light in my life and for teaching me unconditional love; his triggers are valuable life lessons in elevating my conscious parenting.
11. I am grateful for the funds I have to build my dreams, to bless others, and to use money as a means to leave the world a better place than how I found it.
12. I am grateful for having lost it all. Because it is when I had nothing on the outside, I discovered everything on the inside.
13. I am grateful for my ability to forgive others and bless their lives, no matter what they did; carrying the pain of their actions only keeps me from my dreams.
14. I am grateful for my ability to love a lot of people from a distance. Whom I allow in my presence is my responsibility, one I take seriously to guard my and my family's peace.
15. I am grateful for my network, for their support, and for their encouragement.
16. I am grateful for the strangers I have met who have shown more kindness than I could have ever dreamed of.
17. I am grateful for my clients whose values are closely aligned with mine. Our partnerships are rooted in trust, transparency, and respect.
18. I am grateful for my relationships where we support, celebrate, and lift each one up, especially when someone is down, going above and beyond to hold space and lift them.
19. I am grateful for being around secure, confident, and calm people who are not triggered by my energy. Instead, they appreciate all of me, perfectly imperfect.
20. I am grateful to practice humility on a daily basis as I understand that true confidence is an internal journey, walked in silence and through actions more than words.
21. I am grateful for my financial distress as it taught me to appreciate not fear money, budget in new ways, and develop financial literacy so I can build wealth that lasts for generations to come.
22. I am grateful for my dark times because I have mastered the art of alchemy, using both my darkness and light to shine bright and become a torch for others who are still stuck in their dark night of the soul.
23. I am grateful for my authenticity, regardless of how it is perceived. I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.
24. I am grateful for the works of great authors whose words of wisdom have helped me elevate in life and become a better person.
25. I am grateful for the narcissistic people I have encountered. They thought they buried me, but in reality, they planted a bamboo tree seed.
26. I am grateful for those who threw me to the wolves. They thought I would not survive. Instead, I came back leading the pack.
27. I am grateful for my mistakes and failures as they helped me realize what works well, and what does not with compassion, not judgement.
28. I am grateful for the wisdom to let go of what I can't control, to change what I can, and to create the life I want.
29. I am grateful for choosing silence in situations where ignorance dominates the space.
30. I am grateful for my ability to be comfortable being uncomfortable. I am no longer afraid to feel fear in its deepest depths and rise like a Phoenix from the ashes.
31. I am grateful for my ability to transform judgment into discernment and observe people's actions over their words.
32. I am grateful for partnerships in business that are built on Eagle mentality, Tiger strength, and Lion courage to make the impossible, possible.
33. I am grateful every day to wake up and get a chance at life. It is my responsibility, and my responsibility alone, to seize the day and feel blessed to be alive.

Thank you, as always, for being part of this community, reading, supporting, and sharing my newsletter. Keep an eye out for next week, as I will share my latest creation with you!

Until then, be at peace, knowing that everything in life happens for you.

Love,

Nadja ?? ?? ??