(ARTICLE) Practicing Gratitude: 38 things to be grateful for

While we are on the endless pursuit of chasing the things we want, it can be very easy for us to forget to be grateful for the things we have and the things that are currently going well in our lives

So here are 38 things you should be grateful for:

1. Waking Up Today.

Many, many people didn’t make it to today morning

2. Having A Roof Over Your Head.

You don’t how much of a blessing this is until you’ve spent the night sleeping outside

3. Having Access To The Internet

4. Being Able To See Properly

Don’t take your sight for granted because, worldwide, there are nearly 40 million people who are blind and live their lives completely in the dark.

An eye doctor once told me

“Your eyes are the gateway to this world”

5. Being Able To Walk Properly

If you can’t move, you’re fundamentally limited in what you can do.

Traveling is difficult.

Going to new places is difficult…

So…be thankful for your ability to move, regardless of how quickly or slowly it’s done.

6. Being Able To Hear Properly

Are you listening to music right now?

Can you hear your family talking in the background?

Can you hear your kids laugh?

Imagine if your world was constantly silent…

that you could never again hear your favourite songs or your loved ones other tell you that they love you.

7. Having Both Of Your Parents Alive

8. Clean Water For Cooking, Drinking And Showering

9. Having A Job, Whether You Like It Or Not

You might not love what you do, but you do have something to do.

Realise that there are those who would give anything to have your job.

Be thankful that you have it and be thankful for the income it provides.

10. The Access To Have An education

11. Your Career. No matter What Stage You’re in

12. Opportunity.

No matter how new, scary, challenging, or intimidating.

Try anything and everything you possibly can because you’ve been lucky enough for it to be a possibility.

You were blessed with your own set of unique talents and intelligence, and you’ve worked hard to develop them both.

Now:

You + the freedom to choose whatever job you want + hard work + a little luck = the opportunity to be (professionally) whatever you want.

13. Having The Same “Boring” Schedule Every Day During The Week.

At least you’re alive to live through it

14. Having A Good Group Of Friends

Be grateful for the good friends that you have, because, as we all know… they’re not easy to come by.

15. Getting Older. Living To See Another Year Is A Blessing

16. Fresh Air

17. Freedom

You have the freedom to choose what you’ll do today, even if you have some limitations. Sometimes we take it for granted, but what we do on a daily basis truly is our choice.

Freedom is a luxury.

That’s why when you get convicted for committing a crime, they send you to jail.

They’re taking away your freedom.

18. You Have A Bed To Sleep Inn.

Even if you didn’t get as much sleep as you’d like to, you had the opportunity to rest somewhere relatively peaceful

19. There Isn’t A Hurricane, Tornado, Typhoon, Or Other Natural Disaster Going On Outside Your Door.

20. You Received Some Type Of Call / Text That Lets You Know Someone Cares About You.

Even if it’s one of those messages your grandmother sends to the special people in her life.

21. ME Time.

Sitting there to be present in your current moment

22. A Comfortable Pair Of Shoes

23. You Have Running Hot And Cold Water.

Hot and cold water is a luxury that many parts of the world still don’t have. Be grateful for instant access to water.

24. Travel And Transportation.

You have access to transport to go to places. Car, buses, trains and planes are all accessible. You don’t have to walk miles on the daily

25. Appreciation And Love.

Somebody loves you and appreciates you. This is something not to be taken for granted.

Remember

to love yourself too.

26. You’re More Likely To Have A Longer Life.

Modern medicine has greatly improved the quality and the length of our lives.

In the early 1900’s, you were only expected to live about 40 years old…

…but today, the average life expectancy to almost 80. 

To put this into perspective, think about it like this:

In the 1900’s, you were once given one life… but today, you’re blessed with two. 

27. Having Clean Clothes To Wear

Maybe you don’t have the newest, nicest, most stylish garments…

but you do have clothes and those clothes will keep warm and help you look presentable to the world.

28. Having Some Money In The Bank

This might be a lot… it might be a little.

But if it’s more than £0, be thankful, because you have so much more than a lot of other people.

29. The Ability To Be Able To Build Your Own Business If You Wanted To.

You can turn your brilliant new product or business idea into both a profitable business and something that helps your fellow man.

And here’s the thing:

While we take the incredible possibility of entrepreneurship for granted… it’s not something that you’re able to do everywhere in the world.

30. You Can Quickly Crowdfund Your Entrepreneurial Ideas

So you have a new ideas?

But don’t have enough money to bring it to life?

Not a problem… because you have two incredible sites that allow you to crowdfund your idea:

1. Kickstarter

2. Indiegogo

These sites help you to raise funds you wouldn’t otherwise have access to and help you to jump start your entrepreneurial success.

31. The Sun Rise

“Through every dark night, there’s a bright day after that. So no matter how hard it get, stick your chest out, keep ya head up…. and handle it.”

~Tupac Shakur

32. Animals

Some animals are our best friends… some help us work… some give us sustenance… some we respect and admire.

33. Having Free Time.

In today’s hectic, busy world, the time when you have no obligations or responsibilities has become a rarity.

…But it’s in this time that you not only have a chance to relax and unwind, but also to explore and make memories.

Cherish your free time… because you don’t get much of it.

34. Pets

Many of us would rather hang out with our pets than we would other humans.

They bring us comfort, joy and love every single day.

Be thankful that the pets you love so much are in your life.

Pets are like a friend whosnever mad at you and who always wants to hang out and do fun things.

Be grateful that they're your life and always by your side.

35. Your Security

Thanks to our Armed Forces, you woke up today, cosy in your bed, without fear of being attacked or fear of imminent danger.

This is not a normal thing in most of the world

And here’s the thing:

Because you don’t constantly fear for your life, you’re able to truly appreciate, live and enjoy it.

36. Mental Health

Never, ever, ever take your mental health for granted.

37. The Lesson You Have Learned In Life So Far.

Through you life trial and tribulations… you learned lessons.

…And these lessons will help you do things more effectively, efficiently, and proactively move on to next year.

They’ll help you protect yourself.

They’ll help you grow and push yourself forward.

The lessons you’ve learned will help you become a better you. 

Be thankful and remember the knowledge that they’ve taught you.

38. Who You Are

Be thankful for you and be thankful for who you are…

because you bring something to this world that no one else can or ever will.

There is only one you, and there will never be another.

BONUS:

You Get Paid To Do What You Love To Do For A Living

Never take this for granted.

SUMMARY

In moments of chaos, devastation, and uncertainty, it’s easy to forget the simple things we’re lucky to have and take for granted, because we’re so consumed with fear and panic.

In a time when we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow, it’s important to reflect on the good things we have and show our appreciation for them.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve really taken the time to focus on the things I’ve taken for granted and have made it a priority to vocalise my appreciation for these blessings.

Hope this was insightful.

Till next time