“It’s the small things in life that count.” People have said this to me my entire life, and you know what? It’s true.
In two days, people all over the country will be celebrating Thanksgiving with their loved ones. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on our lives, to be grateful for the things we usually take advantage of, and for our families and loved ones that fill our hearts with joy and laughter throughout the year. For some of us, it is a time to “let go” and re-group, and for others, it is a time to think positive and move forward. Whatever path you decide to follow, be thankful for the little things that got you there in the first place.
Two years ago my mother and fourteen of my relatives had their houses destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. To this day, most of the homes are almost repaired except for my mothers. My mother lost her home, and is still waiting to rebuild her house. She has been in and out of three different rental homes since. Throughout the aftermath of Sandy, such an emotionally tragic and unexpected time, where the bad completely out-weighed the good, there was always a ray of hope and kindness from strangers, volunteers and organizations like the Red Cross to keep us going. I will be forever grateful for the little things, like a bottle of water, food, a napkin, toilet paper, clean socks, dry gloves, a cup of coffee, a hug, a fork, a spoon, and a blanket, that were so desperately needed and given to us without any questions asked. In such a devastating time, I realized how caring people can actually be.
Besides my husband and children, here are some other things I am grateful for….
- Life and the air that fill my lungs each day.
- Our beautiful planet Earth, where life begins.
- Good health, for myself and my family.
- My mind, so I can think, store memories, and create new ideas.
- Animals and pets, which bring endless joy to my family every day.
- The sun, for shedding light and beauty on us.
- Technology, computers, cell phones, etc. that are so integral to our lives.
- Transportation, so we can explore our planet and rekindle friendships.
- Comedy/Happiness, to keep the laughter and joy in our world.
- My job, where I can add value to our world.
- Love, which helps me feel alive.
- A higher power to lean on, learn from and pray to for strength, support, faith, and hope.
- Me…for being me and touching the world with my presence.
Sometimes we take for granted the very things that deserve our gratitude the most. Learning to appreciate the small things in life plays a bigger role in creating a peaceful and happy world. This holiday season, take a few minutes to reflect on the good things in our lives and realize how blessed we all are.
How often do you pause to appreciate what you have in life?
