What To Be Thankful For

This time of year, it’s easy to get swept up in the busyness of the holidays.  But, that’s why this week is an important reminder to reflect on what you’re most thankful for.  Taking time to acknowledge what you’re thankful for reminds you of the good things in your life.  In fact, you can even have gratitude and appreciation for the challenges you’ve experienced.

Challenges

Often, the challenges in life provide the most lessons to learn.  If life were always easy, you wouldn’t have much to think about, contemplate, be scared of, or even worry about.  But, challenges are opportunities to try a new perspective.  Challenging who you are, what you think, and believe.  Reflect over your challenges this past year and what lessons you’ve learned.  These challenges are something to be thankful for because without a challenge, life would be rather boring.  Challenges have helped you become who you are today and that is definitely something to be thankful for.

Memorable Moments

Next, reflect over your experiences and memorable events from this year.  These are the happy moments.  Maybe that was a special date night, vacation, or romantic gesture.  Perhaps it was spending time with friends and family making memories you’ll never forget.  Think about what you did this year that was something to be thankful for.  It could be an opportunity that you never thought would come around and surprisingly it did.  Recall something that wowed you or knocked your socks off in amazement.  You might be thankful for something that was super funny that you remember laughing so hard about.  Or, it may have been a moment where you were crying tears of joy with love, appreciation, and gratitude.  Be thankful for those moments.  There are so many good times to be thankful this year for so please don’t short change yourself.

What You Have

Then, take inventory of what you do have in your life.  The roof over your head, the car you drive, the supportive people in your life, your job, etc.  Be grateful for the opportunity to move your body each and every day.  Find gratitude for the small tasks in life from enjoying a quiet cup of coffee in the morning to seeing the sunrise, or cuddling with your pet.  Be thankful for having access to technology where you can discover new things, research topics, and reach out to loved ones.  Consider what things you’re most grateful for in your life right now, no matter how big or small.  Remember, most of these things can be taken away from you in a blink of an eye so be thankful and don’t take it for granted that you can enjoy them right now.

Season

Lastly, be thankful for the season itself.  This is the time of year to be reminded of everything that you’re thankful for.  Count your blessings and find hope in knowing that there is a lot to be thankful for in your life.  No matter how hard or difficult life gets, there are still things to be thankful for.  Be grateful for all that you’ve learned, all that you have, and who you’ve become in the process.  There is still so much more life ahead of you.  Be thankful for that too.

This is the time of year to reflect on everything that you are thankful for.  Whether that’s the people in your life, the things you’ve accomplished, to the experiences you’ve been through, good and bad.  All of it has gotten you to where you are today and that is something you can be proud of.  As you wind down this year, move through the holidays, finish out this month, and prepare for the final month of the year, pause and be grateful.  Be thankful that you’re here to experience this incredible time in your life and get ready for the magic coming to you in the new year.