You probably woke up healthy, drove to work or your destination safely, you have some money on your account to buy some necessities, you have a roof above your head, you managed to take kids back to school with full requirements and paid school fees to nil, and haven’t slept on an empty stomach—give thanks.
Many times we are buried in the plans we want to achieve in the future, and forget the small things or milestones we are blessed with. In whatever stage of life we’re in, we are pushed to do or be better. But one thing to ponder on, someone, somewhere is praying to God for at least half of what you have. Let's be grateful.
My current read has opened my eyes wide about appreciating life, at least more than before. This book that has made me drop a tear is titled, "The Unwinding of the Miracle”, by Julie Yip-Williams.
She was born blind and seen as a curse in her family that her grandmother ordered that she must be killed, fortunately she wasn’t. Struggling through life and asking for help from those that could see made her life miserable. But then discovering that she had developed colon cancer and was already at stage four, shattered her world.
Reading the kind of pain she endured, reacting to chemotherapy and all its side effects, but then the worst, knowing that she was having counted days to die. The thought that she would one day leave her family, two beautiful daughters and a loving husband, killed her inside, before the cancer itself.
As I read this book, I ask myself whether I could handle even a pinch of her pain, and this has just made me be thankful for the little things in life. Being healthy and fine is sometimes all we need to be grateful for. Sometimes what matters is to be grateful for meaningful friendships, family and friends that are loving and supportive.
There is no doubt that being more grateful more often makes us happier and more optimistic, yet gratitude requires no money, and less time.
Over the years, I have noticed that people who focus on their successes and achievements, are more successful and fulfilled, unlike those that think about what’s missing in their lives. When you focus more on lack, you put your expectations on people to fulfill that void, and the danger in this is that you may be disappointed.
A number of people have a list of things they want to achieve: an expensive car, a beautiful house, a work promotion, an amazing spouse, living a lavish lifestyle, wearing designer clothes, having a lot of money, traveling the world and so forth.
Unfortunately, it’s hard and impossible to have everything we desire in life, and people who are always looking for how to get all these things and more, in most cases end up discontent.
True contentment comes from accepting and being thankful for the little that you already have, even when you don’t get what you want, you remain happy regardless.
How about counting our blessings and being happy for all that we have never taken time to be grateful for, than grumble about the things we haven’t achieved yet?
According to Lois Blyth the author of "The Power of Gratitude”, gratitude extends far beyond the ritual of sharing gifts or saying thank you. It is a form of recognition—a way of appreciating the kindness, beauty, and wonder that life has to offer. Gratitude connects us to one another and to the world we live in. It increases our wish to nurture, help, and protect one another—and increases our sense of belonging.
She urges practical and conscious ways to embrace gratitude that have lasting meaning, from creative ways to turn a simple thank you into a heartfelt gift to strategies to help us to see life with brighter eyes. ‘Try keeping a gratitude journal, whether on paper or using an app, or making a gratitude altar. Discover meditations to end your day on a grateful note and to help you find your way back to thankfulness when times are hard. You will soon find that gratitude becomes a way of life and will reap the benefits, both emotional and physical.’