Maybe There’s Something to Be Grateful For
Maybe There’s Something to Be Grateful For
Maybe There’s Something to Be Grateful For
I’m writing this for all of us who often chase “more.” More success, more money, more security – and rarely stop to notice what we already have. Sometimes we’re so focused on what’s missing that we completely overlook what already exists in our lives.
“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say thank you?” – William Arthur Ward
You woke up this morning. Someone didn’t.
You were given another 24 hours. Someone had theirs taken away.
You probably already want to interrupt me with: “It’s not that I’m not grateful for what I have – I just want more!”
And that’s okay.
Want more. Strive for a better, richer, happier, more fulfilling life.
But don’t forget to be grateful for what you have right now.
And no – I don’t mean you should force yourself into gratitude. You don’t have to be positive all the time. You don’t have to ignore life’s injustices. You don’t have to be happy with crumbs.
And if you’re going through a hard time – you have every right to find it hard.
But try, every once in a while, to just stop. Only for a moment. Breathe deeply.
And ask yourself one simple question:
Is there anything I can actually be grateful for?
Maybe…
… you’re a grown adult, and one or both of your parents are still alive – and because of that, you can keep that child in your heart who knows that somewhere, love and support exist.
… there is someone in your life who genuinely loves you.
… you have a friend or two you can call at any hour of the day or night – to vent, to confide, or simply to laugh.
… you have enough to eat a decent meal, put clothes on your back, and have a roof over your head.
… you have health that still serves you.
… you have eyes that can see a child’s smile, a romantic sunset, or the gaze of someone you love.
… you have hearing to enjoy music, the voice of someone dear, or the sound of birds in the morning.
… you have a voice that can comfort someone, make them laugh, tell them you love them, or say a sincere “thank you.”
… you have hands that can help, fix something, hold someone close, or offer a gentle touch.
… you have legs that can take you near or far.
… you have a heart that still beats.
One that can love and be loved.
… you can afford a book.
Maybe one that will entertain you. Maybe one that will change the way you see the world.
… you can sometimes sit in a café and enjoy a coffee in peace.
… you have access to the internet – to learn something meaningful, hear something moving, or simply laugh at a clip of silly babies and kittens.
… you have a phone to call someone or capture a beautiful moment.
… you have at least a little time you can give to yourself.
Maybe you’ve had the chance to experience all of this. And maybe just some of it.
My dear friend, I know that for most people today, this doesn’t feel like enough.
We all want more.
But being grateful for what you have doesn’t mean accepting your fate.
Being grateful means recognizing that you have a bird in hand – while still reaching for the one on the branch.
If you feel that fire inside you – passion, desire, vision, ambition – something pulling you toward a goal, in any part of your life…
isn’t that also something to be grateful for?
Because that inner voice means only one thing:
that you haven’t given up yet.
That there is still strength in you to keep going.
And that may be the greatest gift you received today.
So let me ask you, my dear friend:
do you have even one reason today to say – thank you?
