Gratitude and Growth: Honoring the Journey So Far

thumaicoaching
Apr 30
2 min read

As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s Liberation Day, I’m reminded that true freedom — whether for a country or for an individual — is rarely achieved in a single moment.

It’s a journey.Built on perseverance, small victories, resilience, and the quiet courage to keep moving — even when the way forward is hard to see.

This reflection became even more meaningful after I watched Tunnel: Sun in the Dark, a powerful film by director Bùi Thạc Chuyên.It offers a raw and deeply emotional portrayal of the Vietnam War, while also delivering timeless messages about sacrifice, unity, endurance, and the quiet strength that carries us forward.

🌿 Our personal and professional lives are no different.

In the rush toward the next milestone, we often forget how far we’ve already come.

We focus on what we lack, what we haven’t yet achieved — and in doing so, we overlook the silent wins, the deepened self-awareness, and the strength we’ve already cultivated.

✨ Gratitude is not just a feeling — it’s a powerful growth accelerator.

Oprah Winfrey has said: "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."

Gratitude shifts our lens: instead of seeing only the distance left to travel, we also appreciate the miles we've already crossed.

It’s also backed by science that practicing gratitude increases emotional resilience, reduces stress, and strengthens our relationships.

🌱 Growth is not always loud.

Sometimes it looks like:

Setting a boundary for the first time.
Saying yes to what you truly want.
Choosing rest when your mind says “work harder.”
Getting up again after a setback.

These quiet moments are just as important — if not more — than the big achievements we share.

🔄 From Liberation Day to Labor Day: Honoring the Inner Work

As we move from Vietnam’s Liberation Day to International Labor Day, let’s take a moment to honor not just the outer work — the roles, titles, and tasks — but the inner work: the healing, the emotional resilience, the quiet growth that often goes unseen.