Now that the fall semester is finished and we are neck-deep in Christmas break, it's that time of year filled with mixed emotions. Some happy and cheerful, others empty and depressed. Regardless which emotions we are experiencing presently, it is important for us to reflect on the last year and "count our blessings." Those seemingly ordinary, everyday things or events that we tend to take for granted. Whether it be a compliment from a stranger, a friend being present when you need a shoulder to cry on, or even just spending time with your family. In today's society, we often overlook these things because we aren't living in the present. We have directed our attention to the next latest and greatest thing that we "absolutely have to have." This attitude has become an almost inextricable part of our culture - and it has tainted the lens through which we see the world.
What would it look like if we started appreciating what we've been given, rather than focusing on what we don't have?
Just imagine how different the world would look if we began to change the way we view these everyday occurrences. They aren't just ordinary things that we should take for granted. When we remove this tint from the lens we're looking through, everything becomes extraordinary. Even our lives, the very breaths that we take every second are gifts from God that we are blessed with every day - and yet, it is so easy to forget that. It is so easy to go about our daily routines without taking the time to appreciate our surroundings, our abilities, our families, our education, all the way down to the air that we breathe.
So I'd like to invite you all to join me in a challenge of sorts. For the next 7 days, make a list of everything that you're thankful for. Whether it be people, relationships, the roof over your head, or anything else; write it down. Continue life as usual with one exception: as you go about your day, be aware of your surroundings. Make sure to be grateful for the little things as you experience them. You might be surprised at how it affects the rest of your life.
