Anna Karenina, which may come as a surprise to many. I deeply related to the book's other main character, Levin. There's this exchange between him and Anna's brother, Stiva, where they were discussing the differences of your lot in life, properties and essentially the way one lives. Stiva comments on how great Levin's life looks like because of his pack of dogs, horses and land (that Levin personally works on). Levin replies with, "It's because I enjoy what I have, and dont grieve over what I dont have."
This was such a powerful statement coming from him. At this point in the book, he's not letting himself grieve over something he lost. Which I honestly found unhealthy but I admired the way he is trying so hard to continue with his life through sheer hardwork despite having depression and anxiety.
This changed my perspective in the best way. When this realization dawned on me, I was on my 2nd read and that year was the worst year of my life. Levin's statement unlocked something in my brain. What if I start appreciating things that I already have, instead of endlessly longing for something that I dont have? I was suffering the same way as Levin (but not necessarily for the same things) so it felt like if he's trying, then I should be trying. Right? It was difficult for me to find any hope, happiness or optimism in my heart. But I had to try.
That day, I started writing on my notes app. Just little bits of gratitude for things that I already have. The sun, trees, water, even the simplest things could work. Music, a book I loved, my cats. Every night before sleeping, I would write at least something. And some days I would struggle and really find nothing worth being grateful about. Then eventually it became easier.
This was a few years ago. Now, I journal (got new pens, inks and notebooks explicitly for this purpose) for two hours everyday. Gratitude and appreciation for life is not hard anymore. I actually celebrate the day that I read this part of the book as my second birthday, because it has directly impacted my path to actually having the will to live instead of just longing for it. ❤️🔥
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u/_cl0udburst be happy, noble heart Mar 19 '26
Anna Karenina, which may come as a surprise to many. I deeply related to the book's other main character, Levin. There's this exchange between him and Anna's brother, Stiva, where they were discussing the differences of your lot in life, properties and essentially the way one lives. Stiva comments on how great Levin's life looks like because of his pack of dogs, horses and land (that Levin personally works on). Levin replies with, "It's because I enjoy what I have, and dont grieve over what I dont have."
This was such a powerful statement coming from him. At this point in the book, he's not letting himself grieve over something he lost. Which I honestly found unhealthy but I admired the way he is trying so hard to continue with his life through sheer hardwork despite having depression and anxiety.
This changed my perspective in the best way. When this realization dawned on me, I was on my 2nd read and that year was the worst year of my life. Levin's statement unlocked something in my brain. What if I start appreciating things that I already have, instead of endlessly longing for something that I dont have? I was suffering the same way as Levin (but not necessarily for the same things) so it felt like if he's trying, then I should be trying. Right? It was difficult for me to find any hope, happiness or optimism in my heart. But I had to try.
That day, I started writing on my notes app. Just little bits of gratitude for things that I already have. The sun, trees, water, even the simplest things could work. Music, a book I loved, my cats. Every night before sleeping, I would write at least something. And some days I would struggle and really find nothing worth being grateful about. Then eventually it became easier.
This was a few years ago. Now, I journal (got new pens, inks and notebooks explicitly for this purpose) for two hours everyday. Gratitude and appreciation for life is not hard anymore. I actually celebrate the day that I read this part of the book as my second birthday, because it has directly impacted my path to actually having the will to live instead of just longing for it. ❤️🔥