Picture this: when waking up in the morning and opening the blinds, gentle rays of sunlight shining through the glass greet you good morning. When peering out the window, a clear sunny day can be seen, or maybe it is a beautiful, wet, rainy morning. Whatever it is, it is something to be grateful for. Every single day is a day to be grateful for. The bad days, the good days, the worst days, and the best days – they should all be appreciated.
Life moves fast. It’s easy to forget to slow down and take a second to appreciate it, but looking around at the world puts things into perspective. Humans have this beautiful world all laid out. From the green grass to the blue sky, this earth is amazing from head to toe. People are extremely lucky to have all this, and it is important to be appreciative.
There are so many great things in life that get overlooked. It is imperative to take a minute and be thankful for what one has. Sunrises, sunsets, rain, clouds, the sky, trees, flowers, animals, taking walks, the beach and so many more things should always be appreciated. Be thankful for friends, laughter, pets, being healthy, home cooked meals, a cozy bed, and spending time with family. People’s family members will always love them and be there for them. Simply having a family who loves each other is something to be extremely grateful for. Of course, don’t forget the furry family member – dogs can actually turn someone’s whole mood around. They are always happy to see their owner when they get home, they make people laugh, give unconditional love, keep their owner active, and provide companionship. What more could someone ask for? Dogs are good inside and out and deserve so much. It is impossible to imagine life without them. It’s important to appreciate all pets and give them the love and affection they deserve.
But where to start to work towards being more appreciative? The first step is to slow down. Do not rush through life and instead be present in the moment. Do not always think about what’s coming next, try appreciating what is currently happening and what has already happened. Have a positive mind when going through life, and notice every small detail. Focus on any small thing in life that brings happiness and appreciate it. Making a list of everything to be grateful for, paying attention to everything one has, and making a list of them is a great way to open someone’s eyes to how lucky people are. Before going to bed, think about what happened in the day that deserves gratitude and go to sleep with that in mind.
One major thing that seems to be stopping people from appreciating the little things in life is technology. People are glued to their phones, and rather than being engaged in conversations, being present in the moment, and spending time outside, they keep their heads buried in a screen. Put away the phone, go out, and do things! It’s far easier to overlook the little things when only looking at a phone. Try taking a walk, spending time with family, actively listening in conversations, watching a sunset or sunrise, journaling, reading a book, cooking a meal, starting an art project, learning a new skill, or having a “no phones day” with friends and seeing where that creativity can lead to. There are so many things that get missed because of technology. Don’t hesitate to hit the power off button now and then and just live life.
Enjoy every sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch. Enjoy the sight of the sparkling stars in the mountains. Enjoy the smell when walking by freshly cut grass. Enjoy the sounds of spring birds chirping. Enjoy the taste of frosting on a sweet cupcake. Enjoy the feel of sand under your feet at the beach. Enjoy everything in life and every simple little thing it offers.
