Gratitude: What Are You Thankful For?
This is probably something we don’t think enough about. In life, it’s easy to get caught up in the mundane details of life, like going to work, dinner, bills, relationships, driving, shopping, etc. and forget about all the things for which we are grateful. But sometimes if we are able to “step outside” of our self, or outside of the circle which is our self, we can discover wonderful things and reasons why life really is good!
Years ago, when I would get upset or seem down about life, a good friend of mine would ask me, “well, have you made a gratitude list today?” And I remember being so stuck on feeling upset that what my friend was saying seemed crazy, as if I were being told to go walk on the moon. But I would oblige the request and make a list, sometimes on paper and sometimes just in my head.
And what happened when I made my gratitude list? Well, usually after about the 2nd or third thing was penciled onto the list I started having a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. And all those problems that seemed so big at first to me and that were dominating my every thought, encompassing me like a thick fog, just seemed to roll away.
Now you might be saying, well, what do I have to be thankful for? Obviously the answer is different for everyone. And if you can’t think of anything, then just be thankful for the small things: a roof over your head, enough food to eat, clean air to breathe. It’s likely that you have much, much more than that to be thankful for. And once you’ve made your list it’s almost impossible to not feel a little better. It always worked for me and I know it can work for you, if you choose to let it!
My gratitude list today:
1. A wife & son who I love dearly;
2. A place to call home that is warm and quiet;
3. Friends;
4. A family who love me;
5. A job, which allows me to provide for family;
6. Books that bring me happiness;
7. A healthy body and mind;
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