In the midst of our hustle culture, we are always striving to achieve the next big thing. The process may be stressful, and nail-biting and in the end we might be disappointed and frustrated that our efforts failed to bear any fruit.
But rather than dwelling on what we lack, we should remind ourselves about what we do have. We should not be reminded of the value of what we once owned only when we lose them, but continually show gratitude and appreciation for these things. For a start, here are five things to be grateful for.
Our Loved Ones
“Life is a train to the grave- there will be many stops on the road, and so it is difficult for anyone to accompany you for the whole journey. When the person is about to get off the train, show him/her some basic respect by waving goodbye”
Hayao Miyazaki
The people around us come and go, even those whom we cherish dearly. Our parents, our friends, will eventually leave us one by one. This could be for various reasons- death, migration, disagreements etc.
Knowing this, we should cherish the people around us and show our appreciation for them. A small gesture goes a long way. And when it is time to let go, give them your blessings and let go.
Health
“He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything”
Thomas Carlyle
We may take our ability to do simple tasks such as running, breathing, talking etc for granted. But we should know that these are the result of something that is not short of a miracle- various system components working in unison to achieve that action. That is something to be grateful for.
Yet, in the midst of our pursuits, we may neglect our health- eat unhealthily, sleep very little and being unduly stressed over the long-term. But health is key to our future success and happiness- coming in with a well-rested mind and fit body empowers us to tackle future challenges optimally.
It is important to note that health is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Rather, health comprises of physical, mental, and social well-being.
Here are some things we should do for good health:
- Exercise routines
- Good sleeping habits
- Posture
- Diet
- Building a support network
Food
Many of us take the food on our table for granted. It is easy to be lulled into such a mindset particularly when food is so readily available- at the supermarket, at convenience stores, at any restaurant right around the shop, using online food delivery services etc.
But our food supply is more fragile than we think- with external forces such as climate change, wars and pests threatening to disrupt the supply chain at any moment- as seen by the recent hikes in food prices. The food on our table is only made possible by the cumulative efforts of various individuals- from the farmers to the shippers to the merchants. That effort is something that cannot be captured by the price tag.
Peace
“There was never a good war, or a bad peace”
Benjamin Franklin
If you thought getting bread from the bakery was easy, think again. In Gaza, airstrikes on the bakeries have led to bread being a prized commodity. People risk their lives to queue in front on the bakeries for others, but often go home to empty-handed.
This is but one of the many consequences when war rears its ugly head. War is not something of old legend- but a reality that plagues our world today. So cherish the peace we have today.
Today
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.”
Master Oogway
Be grateful for today- it is an opportunity for you to explore to grow, to laugh and love, to enjoy the tiny pleasures life has to offer. Rather than dwell on the past, or worry about the future, focus on the now. This could be admiring your surroundings on your commute to work, performing mindfulness meditation, or performing small acts of kindness for that stranger you have never met.
These are but a tiny fraction of the things one can possibly be grateful for. And I challenge each and everyone of us to keep a gratitude journal, where every morning we write down 3 things that we are grateful for. It can be the tiniest parts of our lives, but it may have a great impact. So, what are you grateful for today?