The world is an extremely scary place right now. Most days I feel overwhelmed, nervous about what is to come and afraid for my children’s future. Most days I spend focused on the bad and upset that the world has seemingly gone to shit lately. It easier to focus on the bad instead of shifting the focus to the things to be grateful for.
“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” – Cynthia Ozick
Lately it seems that most days are not that great. That curling up in bed, staying there for the rest of the day seems like a good option over everything else. Since this isn’t always an option, especially with kids, I began to think about little things that I am grateful for in my daily life. By creating a list of what I’m grateful for, it helps me get through those days that just seem like are never ending. These may also be things that you are grateful for as well or you can create your own list to get you through your tough days.
Things to be Grateful For
My Health
Working as a nurse has reminded me that being healthy is not something that everyone can be grateful for. I am thankful for my own personal good health and the ability to move my body daily. Yes I still get sick sometimes and I try and fuel my body with healthy fuel but overall I am healthy and for that I am grateful.
My Healthy Children
I have been fortunate enough to have healthy children so far. I came across a sweet family on Instagram a couple of weeks ago who had learned that their 3 year old daughter had a brain tumor that was incurable. The beautiful little girl passed away a month or so later. This families story devastated me and I can’t even imagine the insurmountable pain that they themselves are going through right now. It reminded me that everyday I need to be incredibly thankful for my healthy children because that isn’t always the case for others.
Quiet Moments
Those quiet moments in the morning, before everyone else is up that I can sit back, relax and enjoy my coffee help me get through the long days.
A Home to call my own
I am thankful everyday for having a home that is mine. Something that I worked hard to purchase and that my family can grow in.
Sure it’s small and we are outgrowing it but it’s a roof over my head. I don’t have to struggle to make the mortgage payment work.
A Job
I am thankful, especially with the state of the world, to have a job.
Would I rather stay home and binge Netflix? Some days. But having steady employment and a paycheck is something that I am grateful for as well.
Family & Friends
I am even more thankful for family and friends that are always there. That reach out when times are tough and when I am not at my best. Those are the people that you want in your life and the ones that truly care about you.
The Beach
I love the beach, the water, the smell of the salt water in the air. I find going to the beach relaxing and therapeutic when life gets crazy.
I am even crazy enough to enjoy going to the beach with kids.
Ability to Travel
I love being able to travel to different places. I am thankful for the ability to have the means to do so and do so freely.
Freedom
With everything in the news lately and the Black Lives Matter movement, I am starting to realize that freedom is not something that everyone has despite what the constitution says. I have learned so much recently and have opened my eyes to something that I am sad to say I didn’t understand. Not every is afforded the simple right of freedom based on the color of their skin which is wrong and unjust. I am thankful for this freedom but sad for my fellow humans that this is a battle that they have to face because their lives matter too.
A Voice
I am thankful to have a voice to speak out about what is happening in the world. To not only help other moms but share my thoughts and feelings on what is happening around us. Not everyone is afforded this. It is something that I am continually grateful for the more people that I reach.
emidiv24 @ham intellectual-group says
This is an awesome article, being humans, we always ask for more, however there is always a need to be thankful for where we are now and the grace we have been enjoying. These kind of articles tend to create an awareness and a reminder into our minds to count our blessings and appreciate God.
Stephanie Stebbins says
What a great idea. Sometimes, I do forget to stop and remember what I’m grateful for. Off to make my list, thanks!
Such a nice post! Gratitude can definitely take you a long way!
Monidipa says
Grateful people are much more engaged with their environment, leading to greater personal growth and self-acceptance, and stronger feelings of purpose, meaning, and specialness.
Lyosha says
I think gratitude is a very healthy way of living and thinking. I focus a lot on it and I personally think it made my life so much better!
Krysten Quiles says
Amen. This is why I do my happy list every week. Even in the DARKEST times we need to keep in mind all the things we have to be grateful for.
Marie Phillips says
I am grateful for all of the above things as well. There is so much to be grateful for, no matter how bad life seems to be at the time.
Melanie Frost says
I love this post. With all of the shit happening in the world right now, it’s easy to forget how good many of us have it. I try to be grateful for the things I do have considering how many others have it so much worse.
This is so true! I am grateful for the life I have right now 🙂
A home to call my own is next on my list. I hope to have that soon.
tweenselmom says
I agree that we must take the time to be grateful for all the blessings we have received, even though we are feeling down and all these negative emotions come to mind.
I am thankful that some countries were able to flatten the the curve already, somehow they give hope.
Very greatful to read this blog…. Nice information keep it up 😊😊
Tushar says
Having a sense of gratitude really grounds oneself and helps us enjoy life to the fullest!
There are a lot of things that we just take for granted but that we actually can be thankful for 🙂