Last holiday season, I began to keep a thanksgiving journal, to count my blessings and remind me to be grateful for what I have. As Thanksgiving approaches this year, I decided to look back on these past months and find the smallest, strangest things I've been grateful for.
Of course I'm grateful for my family, my friends, and my community. There have been a lot of big opportunities over this past year that I'm super excited and grateful for, too! But in the middle of all that, I wanted to revisit the random moments that would hit midday with a reminder of how blessed I am, and how I should be thankful for the little things as well.
1. Music
This one isn't so strange – but I don't think of it incredibly often. I assume it'll always be there, like it always has been in the past. Yet if I imagine a day or week without it, I realize I should be grateful pretty quickly!
2. Letters
I used to have pen-pals, but soon enough life gets so hectic that sending frequent letters isn't so feasible anymore. Emails and texts soon replace mail. But let's all admit – when you get a surprise letter in the mail, it really makes your day. There's something about the time that someone spent to send it to you…
3. Pictures
Not necessarily any specific ones, just the idea of pictures in general. So many wonderful moments they capture, that we might not recall if we couldn't keep them before our eyes.
4. Hot Water
There's nothing like needing a hot bath at the end of a long, stressful day. And a cup of tea, too, for that matter. I realized on a dreary, cold day that I took for granted that I could have these things when I arrived back home.
5. Raincoat
If I were asked my favorite articles of clothing, this wouldn't usually strike me as making that list. But when it's raining – I sure am glad to have it on me!
6. Gasoline
I remember to be thankful for vehicles a lot more than this one. But when I realize that if my car is running low on gas, I just stop by and fill it up, I also realize how easy that is. Expensive sometimes? Yes. But also available, and I'm thankful for that.
7. Flowers
Can you imagine if they disappeared? What spring would look like? I naturally assume they'll come around every year, but some places in the world don't even have flowers growing around naturally.
8. Long Car Rides
I know, now this is one people often dread. But the thing is, in the middle of a busy world, they force you to relax. You simply can't be doing a million things at once when you're on the road, so I try to be appreciative of that time.
Of course, there are a lot of other things as well, simply too long to list! But looking back, these struck me as some of the smallest, yet most important things I remembered to appreciate over the past year.
This Thanksgiving, try a little challenge – think of your own list of everyday things you often take for granted, but should pause and be grateful for as we celebrate this holiday! You might be surprised at what you find!
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