Author: Carrie Genzel

Start With Gratitude, End With Thank You

The Shift from Despair to Gratitude

There was a time when I woke up dreading the day ahead—angry that I had even woken up. I wasn’t looking for a new start. I wasn’t searching for light. I was living in a cycle of silent suffering, hoping that sleep would take me away from it all. But hoping isn’t a plan. Hoping isn’t healing.

It wasn’t until desperation pushed me to the edge that I found the courage to ask for help. That moment—the moment of deciding to share my truth—was my first act of gratitude, even if I didn’t see it that way at the time. It was gratitude for my own life, for a future I wasn’t sure I deserved but was willing to fight for.

Bookending the Day

When I reflect on how I stay positive—especially during challenging or uncertain times—I always come back to this: I begin and end my day with gratitude. It’s not complicated. Sometimes it’s a list. Sometimes it’s a pause and a silent thought. But it anchors me.

Throughout the day, life happens. Stress, frustration, and setbacks can pull me off course. But when I revisit my gratitude list—or take a small positive action—I’m reminded of what matters. At the end of the day, I say thank you. For everything. For the lessons, for the moments of peace, for the people, for the growth.

Living with Gratitude

Starting and ending the day with gratitude doesn’t guarantee a perfect day, but it sets the tone. It creates space for positivity. It invites me to see beyond the challenges.

When I wake up with dread, I pause and ask myself what I’m grateful for. Even on the toughest days, there’s something—a sliver of light, a moment of connection, a breath. And when I plan something to look forward to after a difficult task, it keeps me anchored in possibility.

Living a life of gratitude means being intentional. It means creating moments of thankfulness and allowing them to guide us. It’s not about ignoring hardship—it’s about finding resilience through gratitude.

SLAY OF THE DAY: Reflect & Rise

  • Do you tend to start your day in a positive or negative mood?

  • What triggers a negative start for you?

  • How can you turn it around?

  • Have you tried gratitude practices before? If so, what worked? What didn’t?

  • Do you allow a negative morning to affect your entire day?

  • How can you incorporate gratitude into your routine to shift your mindset?

  • Do you consciously end your day with thankfulness? Why or why not?

Call to Action: Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one thing you’re grateful for today?
Share it in the comments. Let’s uplift each other with gratitude.

And if you know someone struggling to find positivity, send this to them.
Sometimes, a simple “thank you” can be the spark they need.

Slay Say

Good morning SLAYER! Honest hearts produce honest actions.

New blog goes up Friday, until then… SLAY on!

State Of Slay Trush Day and Do

Slay Say

Good morning SLAYER! Honesty saves you time from remembering all the lies.

SLAY on!

State Of Slay Free Person

A Little Honesty Goes A Long Way

Coming from a life of hiding my truth, living in fear of being found out, and wanting to appear to be more than I was, I understand dishonesty. I lived a dishonest life, even from myself, so how could I be honest with others? I lied even when I didn’t need to, unaware of the weight of those lies. My life became a tangled web until I couldn’t keep track of it all, and the only truth left was that everything was unmanageable, and I had fallen so far into darkness I wasn’t sure I could find my way out.

Thankfully, someone came into my life and shared his honesty with me. That act gave me hope.

When I began walking the path of recovery, I had to learn to be honest, starting with myself. I had to stop believing the lies that kept me sick and face the truth. I had to get rigorously honest if I wanted to build a new life from the foundation up. That foundation had to be honesty. So, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.

Facing the truth wasn’t always easy. It meant looking at my past actions, what I’d said, the harm I’d done to myself and others. My lies always pointed fingers outward, but the truth—the honest truth—was that I played a role in my pain and chaos. Letting go of my fear of judgment, I began to speak my truth. Even though my head told me not to, I charged ahead anyway. And on the other end of that honesty, I found support. People didn’t reject me or push me away—they offered their hand, their understanding, and their ear. As I shared my truth, my guilt, anger, and fear started to melt away.

I was taught, and continue to learn, to be honest about my intentions, my time, and what I am truly willing and able to contribute. It was scary at first, but as I practiced it, the results were always better. That doesn’t mean there weren’t disappointments or frustrations, but they were far fewer than when I was saying what I thought others wanted to hear.

The truth is, most people want the truth—not some made-up story to save face. Being honest shows not only respect for yourself but also for others. It shows vulnerability and opens the door for collaboration, understanding, and solutions we might not have found on our own. When we are honest, we have nothing to hide. And when we’re not spending our energy hiding, we are free.

Sometimes, we enter situations with the best intentions and realize the reality doesn’t match. Instead of pretending or keeping up appearances, try being honest. You may find that instead of working against you, others will work with you toward a solution. Even if things don’t go the way you hoped, the act of being honest itself is a win because you are speaking your truth, instead of pretending to be something—or someone—you’re not.

Be honest about who you are, what you can offer, and what you can truly give. As they say, the truth will set you free. And that freedom? It’s all in your hands.

SLAY on.

SLAY OF THE DAY: Reflect & Rise

  • Do you tend to be honest with others? If not, why?

  • Are you honest with yourself? If not, why not?

  • Has dishonesty caused you trouble in the past? How might things have changed if you’d been honest?

  • What can you do today to be more honest, with yourself and others?

  • Are you afraid of honesty? Why?

  • How can you begin letting go of fear and speak your truth?

Call to Action: Join the Conversation
I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one truth you’re ready to speak today—about yourself or to someone else?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.

And if you know someone struggling to be honest with themselves, send this to them.
Sometimes, all we need is permission to tell the truth.

Slay Say

Good morning SLAYER! Fact: If you smile, even if you’re in a bad mood it will immediately change your mood.

New blog goes up Tuesday, until then… SLAY on!

State Of Slay Your Attitude

You Set The Tone To How You Want To Feel

When I stepped onto this path, I was told, “You can just decide to have a good day, and it will happen.” I thought that was ridiculous. Clearly, these people didn’t understand how bad my life was or what a piece of crap I thought I was. But they insisted—and over time, I realized they were right.

At the start, my mind was rarely positive. I had to practice focusing on the good. I began writing down the things I was grateful for—sometimes only one thing, but it still counted. I’d carry that piece of paper in my pocket, and when the shadows crept in, I’d take it out and read it aloud. Just that simple act would bring some light back.

As I got better at it, my mind cleared, and the list of good things grew—as did the light and positivity in my life.

Building a Solid Foundation

To feel good, I had to do good things for myself. Self-care wasn’t just a buzzword—it became a necessity. For me, that meant:

  • Getting enough sleep

  • Eating well

  • Moving my body in some way

  • Connecting with my spiritual side

These were the key ingredients that gave me the best shot at having a good day.

And here’s a secret I learned: even if the day took a turn for the dark, I could still infuse it with light and turn it around. We’re not victims of our thoughts or feelings—unless we choose to be.

Staying Present in Uncertainty

During times of uncertainty, feelings can creep in and derail our day if we let them. It’s crucial to stay connected to what we’re feeling and why. Many times, those feelings point to something we’re holding onto from the past.

Setting an intention for positivity—of staying present and in the moment—cuts those ties to the past. If our mind drifts back, we can acknowledge it without letting it take over.

We set the tone for our day, SLAYER, so let’s make sure we’re setting a good one.

SLAY on.

SLAY OF THE DAY: Reflect & Rise

  • Do you feel like you’re bullied by your own feelings and thoughts?

  • Do you set an intention for your day?

  • When you do, are you able to hold onto it? If not, what pulls you away?

  • What kind of intention do you set?

  • Can you work harder on setting a positive tone for your day? What steps could you take?

  • How can you pause in the morning and decide to have a positive day?

  • How can you shift back into a positive mindset if negativity creeps in?

Call to Action: Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one intention you’ll set for yourself tomorrow morning?
Share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.

And if you know someone who’s struggling to set a positive tone for their day, send this to them.
Sometimes, we all need a little reminder of our power.

SLAY TALK LIVE Video

Hey SLAYER! Thank you to those who joined me today for an hour of SLAY TALK LIVE, for those who couldn’t join us, here’s what you missed!

Slay Say

Good morning SLAYER! If you don’t change direction you might end up where you’re headed.

New blog goes up Sunday, until then… SLAY on!

State Of Slay Direction

Which Way Are You Going?

I used to know I was heading the wrong way. My decisions were bad, my ego blocked me from seeking help, and my negative thoughts told me I didn’t deserve any better. I was speeding up a one-way street in the wrong direction, fully aware I’d crash eventually—but I kept going. The rush of challenging life, not really caring what happened, kept me hooked. I burned bridges, damaged relationships, and shredded my sense of self. And then one day, inevitably, I crashed. The signs were always there, growing bolder as I barreled toward destruction. I’m grateful I found the courage to stop before the crash became permanent.

The Path Forward

Stepping onto this new path meant a lot of change. I had to prioritize my mental and physical health and focus my energy on moving in the right direction. Along the way, I noticed the signs—those subtle and not-so-subtle signals telling me I was on track. I paid attention, and when I started to veer off course, I made the necessary changes. Sometimes, I didn’t make them right away, but ignoring them didn’t feel good anymore. That old thrill was gone. It left behind the reality that I was sabotaging my progress, so I learned to get back on track.

We always have a choice. We can either do what’s right for us or make excuses. Every day, I had to make a conscious decision to take the next right action. And when I didn’t, I learned to forgive myself and keep moving. Failing is part of the journey, and it’s often where we learn the most. Starting a new path is scary, but as we tune into the signs and share our truth, we step closer to the freedom of leaving the past behind.

Here’s the thing: we don’t have to ride that old road to the end. The exit is there whenever we’re ready.

Time to Reroute

Now, as many of us are experiencing a slower pace, it’s the perfect moment to reflect. What signs have you missed or chosen to ignore? Are you on the right road, headed in the right direction? This time of pause is the perfect opportunity to take a different route—one that might align better with where your heart wants to go. Ask for guidance, look for the signs, and head toward the light.

SLAY on.

SLAY OF THE DAY: Reflect & Rise

  • Do you feel like you’re headed down the right road? If not, why do you stay?

  • What direction would you like to see yourself headed?

  • How can you get there?

  • What do you need to do today to make that change?

  • What has stopped you in the past? How can you overcome that?

  • Write an example of something you’ve overcome. How can you use that experience to fuel the changes you need today?

Remember, we all have the power to change. It may not be easy at first, but it’s possible. Trust that the path meant for you will present itself if you keep looking for the signs.

Call to Action: Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one sign you’re noticing that tells you it’s time for a change?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s encourage and inspire one another.

And if you know someone who’s struggling to find their way, send this to them.
Sometimes, a little nudge in the right direction is all it takes.

Slay Say

Good morning SLAYER! There are two ways of spreading light: be the candle or the mirror reflecting it’s light.

New blog goes up Friday, until then… SLAY on!

State Of Slay Kindness Someone