Rooted in Gratitude, Learning Balance
- Isabella Salas
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Part of the Isa’s Corner series: reflections on belonging, identity, and community in Battle Creek.
This past month has been challenging. I’ve been trying to get better at balancing responsibilities while still having gratitude.
This month I was honored to attend the GVSU Innovation Hub grand opening and the Know your Rights Discussion Panel at KCC to take pictures for BCTRHT. For my photography business I successfully photographed El Concilio’s Dia de los Muertos and my second wedding. I was chosen to photograph Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signing a Bi-partisan Medicaid Bill and Family Health Center in Kalamazoo. Another highlight was having the honor of being a guest at the NAACP Battle Creek Freedom Fund Dinner. These professional opportunities came with dedication and hard work, but they came with a cost.
This month I asked myself, a lot of, why am I doing this? Why am I dedicating so much time to work? Why haven’t I been able to take time for myself? I’ve dedicated myself to my jobs and I haven't gotten a moment to reflect on the things I’m most grateful for. My family, home, health, faith, mentors, education, and so much more.
Since I graduated, I’ve been working on a “fluid” schedule. Meaning, my college schedule varies depending on week, my work schedule varies depending on events, and my photography varies depending on clients. This month, my schedule has been very fluid, causing multiple days of different projects, events, and commitments, and some days when I was too tired to do much of anything. Still I’m learning that living in a constant state of activity is unrealistic and gives me less time to focus on gratitude.
Being focused and hardworking isn’t just about meeting deadlines, it’s about embracing creativity, taking necessary rest, and freedom. This upcoming month I want to focus on what truly speaks to me, gratitude that leads to growth.
Something I would like to invite you to think about is what are the things you are most grateful for in your life? How much time do you show gratitude to and for those things? Are you taking time out of your busy day to show gratitude towards those around you, the things you love, and yourself?
Isa’s Corner is a storytelling series exploring belonging, identity, and community through the reflections of a young leader growing and learning in Battle Creek.