Theme Song: “Thank You” Alanis Morissette
I’m not sure we express enough gratitude in our daily lives. Sure, we utter our “thank you” for the big things in life, but we start taking little things for granted, and we do so pretty easily. Instead of being thankful for our evening sunset walk, we trudge along, avoiding cars, and take little notice of the beauty around us. We certainly don’t think about saying “Wow, I am really lucky to be here right now, and I am especially lucky to partake in this beautiful moment.”
No, instead, we start to think of our surroundings and the people inhabiting the surrounding space as the background noise of our lives. As we walk from point A to point B, we are often so concerned with what we’re going to do at point B, we forget about the journey. Sometimes, however, the journey is just as majestic and special as the destination.
Sometimes, instead of hugging our loved ones and saying “I’m so glad you’re alive and that I get to share a portion of my life with you,” we say in a flat voice “Why didn’t you x today?” We forget all about the amazing fact that we met the person we’re with, or that we had the child who now looks up at us with great confusion, or that the time we are all here on this earth is limited.
Sure, saying “thank you” or expressing gratitude for the wonderful things in life may seem quite cheesy, but when was the last time you stopped and said “thank you” instead of focusing upon all the things life is lacking at the moment? I found myself recently caught up in focusing on the negative when today I remembered just how darned lucky I really am. I have a wonderful husband and family. I have a son who is filled with curiosity. I have amazing, intelligent, and courageous friends who support me. I have a beautiful home. We are able to do a lot of fun things, and I’ve recently been enjoying an amazing trip with my husband and son. It’s so easy to get caught up in the minutia – the things that bug us…the insects that fly around us as we enjoy a sunset picnic dinner – but if we allow that to happen, then we lose sight of what’s really important – that amazing sunset picnic dinner.
When was the last time you took a moment to think about the things that you have already? What sorts of things are you thankful for? Feel free to share your gratitude in the comments section!
