With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I’ve been taking time each day to find what I’m thankful for. It’s so easy to get in the swing of things and find yourself jumping from one task to another. With that, it’s harder to feel thankful. Almost like you don’t have time to really feel how blessed you are to have so much to do.
From the food on our table every day to the job we have to provide for ourselves. It’s so easy to notice things that upset us, but taking the time to see all we are blessed with has opened my eyes to the bigger picture.
I’ll be writing down a few of the things I’ve noticed this week. Tell me in the comments how many you match up with mine.
- I’m thankful for hot water. This time of year I’m constantly cold. My hands, always freezing. My feet are a lost hope. My favorite thing to do when I wake up is take a hot shower. So hot that I get goosebumps. This is a huge blessing considering only 51% of the world population has access to running water. Let alone running water that is safe enough to drink.
- Lights. It’s getting dark earlier and I don’t know about you, but when the sun goes down, so do I. Having lights on after dark helps keep me on a more consistent schedule from summer-winter. Plus being slightly afraid of the dark, having lights takes that fear away.
- For a safe neighborhood. I watch the news from time to time in horror of some areas of the world. I’m able to safely fall asleep each night without fear of my life. Especially having young kids, knowing they are safe eases a lot of anxiety.
- My parents. I call my mom and dad often to vent about my day, ask questions or laugh at a funny moment. They are my rocks in life. So many people I love have lost their parents. Having them a phone call away, or a quick 15-minute drive is such a blessing. Sometimes I am guilty of taking them for granted, but as I sit and think of blessings I hope to never live without, they are one.
- My husband. This is a huge one. Every day I’m thankful for Paul and all he does for me. He works overtime each week and never complains. He loves me and tells me often. I never go to bed feeling unloved or underappreciated. He’s my hype man and makes me feel so special.
- My phone. I’m so thankful for a phone that helps connect me to old friends. I can make a phone call the second I think of someone I love. I can text them and tell them I’m thinking of them. I can see someone from high school start a family and be in a career they love.
- I’m thankful for my dog. I know so many of us love our pets. Coming home and being greeted by someone who loves you unconditionally is the best medicine.
- My car. I cannot say enough about how thankful I am for the moving object with 4 wheels. It’s the reason I have a job I love. I definitely take my car for granted. It’s so easy to hop into and drive to work and then hop back in and drive home. I have heat for the colder months and A/C for the hot ones. My life would be so different if I didn’t have a car.
- Shoes. I can’t imagine how bad my feet would hurt if I didn’t own shoes. Shoes for church, the gym, work, and leisure. Shoes have become such a natural part of life. To think about so many people who don’t have access to shoes who desperately need them.
- Medicine. I can’t tell you how many headaches I get in a week. Without medicine, I couldn’t perform my job at times. Being able to take cold medicine when I’m sick to help ease my symptoms. Or even natural medicines. Herbs and oils can help heal symptoms as well.
This upcoming week is Thanksgiving. I challenge you all to find 5 things you are grateful for every day. No matter how easy it is to find the negative, there is always something to be happy about.
When you start finding things you are thankful for, it’s like a domino effect. You start seeing more and more.
All my love,
Talesha