Let’s face it, life is not perfect. Many things can go wrong in a week, day or even hour. We can sulk all day and think ‘life sucks’, or view it as ‘that’s life!’. It is normal to have the ‘life sucks’ moments from time to time because we are only human.
I get it too.
But to dwell in that mode and not get out of it, that is what makes a person grumpy and unattractive. When we are not content with life, we give out negative vibes that repels people and all the good things that could happen.
One way to yank out of this zone is to start being appreciative of all the little things in life. Look around you and start getting aware of your surrounding. Be present because that’s what being alive is about. Once you start doing this, you’ll find it becomes easier to be thankful at all times.
Start with 6 things today that you can be grateful for. Here’s mine:
5pm Sunlight
I don’t know about you, but I love the sunlight at 5pm and feeling it on my face. I like listening to birds chirping as I take a walk or run outside and basking in the warm glows of the late afternoon sun.
Some people enjoy the sun in the morning. For me, I’m more of a late afternoon/night person. I often wish the day can stay at 5pm longer because the late afternoon sun don’t last long.
Nevertheless, this makes me appreciate good weather even more.
Wind In My Hair
I don’t always get wind in my hair unless its a windy day. But when I do get it, it just makes me feel great!
I usually go to the gym after work and it’ll be night time by the time I’m done.
As I exit from the building and start walking on the quiet street towards the bus stop to head home, I get these wonderful windy nights sometimes.The night breeze that blow through my hair gently is a priceless feeling, especially after a good workout and shower.
I close my eyes, breathe it in and just enjoy the moment as I walk along.
Coffee and Caramel Macchiato
I am a coffee addict! I love the fresh aroma of coffee (especially in the morning) and I need them daily. Black coffee and skinny caramel macchiato always work for me.
I think coffee is one of simple luxuries everyone can have. Some people can’t drink coffee because they get hyper easily or just a little caffeine will keep them awake at night.
I’m thankful that I don’t ‘suffer’ from these effects and therefore I can appreciate the goodness of coffee at any time.
My Flexibility
Let me tell you a secret. I am naturally a flexible person and I don’t quite understand where I got it from.
It could from my gymnastic days back in high school. The amazing thing is, I am still flexible despite being trained as a gymnast for only 2 years and high school for me is like eons ago!
There are people who thought that I got my flexibility from yoga or pilates. The fact is I don’t because I’m a very high impact exercise type of person, so low impact types like yoga are not my cup of tea.
My flexibility allows me to do a perfect split on either leg in front, and (ahem…) a side stretch at almost 90 degrees and torso lying flat on the ground when doing a front split and more.
Now I’m kind of feeling embarrassed just talking about this. I just want to say I’m really grateful for this special ability and it makes my body more nimble!
Good Stamina
I’m grateful that I have a healthy body that allows me to participate in the physical activities that I enjoy, such as running. As I run regularly, I watch my stamina increases too. I started out with hitting 4km, then a 5km, followed by 6km and now I run at least a 8km every week.
I’m thankful that I’m able to maintain this level of stamina. Running has become part of my lifestyle that I feel weird if I missed my weekly jogs.
I used to run to shed some pounds, but now I run mainly to keep up my stamina and maintain my physique.
I never imagine becoming a running person but now I love it. It refreshes me every time and allows me to make the progression to running in marathons.
One big factor why I look forward to run is because I treat this as my quiet time with God. Everyone has a different style or preference of their own quiet time with the Lord. As for me, I like to run and pray at the same time and I feel most connected to God during this time.
A Warm Loving Family
I am fortunate enough to be brought up in a complete, healthy and loving family. I’m thankful that I had a happy childhood and a proper up-bringing. My parents’ love allow me to grow up as a healthy adult.
I know of many people who aren’t as fortunate to experience a wonderful childhood, so it taught me not to take my family for granted and to value them dearly.
To me, my parents are the best folks in the world and my brother is best bro ever.
Should I have a kid in future, this is the kind of warm loving environment I want to create for my child.
Take-Away…
As you start listing out the things you are grateful for, you’ll find that most are simple little things and have nothing to do with money. Everyone of us has a unique list of things that we think are valuable.
It might not have economic value based on society’s standards, but it has value to you and that’s what it matters. All of us DO have something that we can be thankful for.
Unless you are very materialistic, the best things in life are often free.
I hope we can all learn to be more grateful. Do this long enough and it’ll naturally become part of our reality and leave lesser room for grumpiness and negativity.
Negativity is an attitude and bad attitudes can be changed.
So go on and make that first step.