I think that with all the commotion over the election, and just the idea that it’s the year 2016, and the fact that we are so far into the future, and the “oh wow look at this, look at that,” “let’s do the mannequin challenge,” all the “oh I need this” or “oh I need that,” we are forgetting to step back and be thankful. We need to look around and appreciate the little things, because without the little things, we wouldn’t be where we are.
Life moves quickly. Quite honestly, I am not sure where the time has gone. But when you stop yourself, and really think about the world around you, you come to realize how truly amazing of a place we live in.
I remember going into my senior year of high school, and I was going somewhere with my sister and Nana and Papa. We were in the car, and I think I said something about twitter and my Papa just turns and looks at my sister and I and said “I’m still amazed by electricity!!” That stuck with me these past few years. My grandfather, now 76 years old, has seen so much happen in his life, yet is still fascinated by electricity. We take electricity for granted -- now many people get upset if they don’t have access to wifi 24/7 because why wouldn’t we? It’s 2016 wifi should be everywhere right?
This is the problem. We have so many expectations of how life should be. We all think that everything will go perfectly from the start, and unfortunately, that is not always the case. We get far too upset over trivial things, like no wifi, for example, and forget to look around. Unless, of course, it’s for Snapchat or Instagram or vine, we don’t look at the beauty of the world around us. Doing it for the “likes” and comments you may or may not get should not be the only reason that you are opening your eyes to the world.
I think that it is crazy how involved with technology and social media this generation is. And I can’t say I’m not a part of it, because I definitely am. But it’s what you do with it that counts. Take a glance up once and awhile from your phone screen, go outside, turn off Netflix.
I want you to take a second and look around. Look at all that you have, all that your future promises, and the family and friends that love and support you. Reach out, and tell them just how much you love and appreciate them. Look at the beauty of nature, the culture around us every day, and appreciate how amazing of a life we all live. Travel, explore, read a book, hang out with friends, or just take a walk. Remember the small things that make every day possible, like the very first thing that happens in the morning, you wake up, and are blessed with another day.
So, don’t just be thankful for what you have on Thanksgiving. Be thankful for what you have every single day of the year. Be thankful for your family, your friends, your education, the roof over your head, and every little thing that we all take for granted every day. I know I am.
