Things I Take For Granted
"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." -Cynthia Ozick
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life we sometimes take things for granted. We're so busy getting ready for work, getting the kids ready for school, making dinner, making plans, paying the bills, looking for money to pay the bills, working all day and doing this and that and everything else that's on our "To Do" list just to get through the days, weeks and months.
Unless you excel in time management and you're so organized you could become a day planner you probably collapse into bed at night thinking of all the things that didn't get done and that have now just been added to the bottom of your list of things to do.
You may even have a "Things …show more content…
to Worry About" list. Not only do you have things to do, you also have things to think about that mentally weigh you down and consume your precious thoughts that take you away from thinking about ALL of the things you have in your life to be thankful for.
This is exactly how we end up taking for granted all of the wonderful gifts we've been blessed with.
The list of things we take for granted is much longer than we realize since we are too busy to think about how lucky we are in so many ways and on so many levels.
I could list all of them for you but you wouldn't have time to read this blog so I'll recap them instead. Here are just some of the things we take for granted:
Our families: Husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, our children, grandparents and anyone who you actually like that you're related to (just kidding). Think of the people you love the most! And, add in your friends who are like an extended family.
Our health: This list is so long but here are just a few. The fact that you can see, walk, talk, and hear. (Well sometimes we don't!) The ability to do things for yourself. The power of your mind. Your arms and legs, hands and feet. And on and on and on and on.
Our favorite things: These go in the category ranging from your home, cars, clothes, food, furniture, toys and any and all possessions that make you happy. Not forgetting things like your favorite ice cream, a roaring fireplace, going to watch your favorite team, watching a great movie, taking a walk etc. etc. …show more content…
etc.
Nature: OMG I can't even begin to make a list here. Rainbows, leaves changing, snow falling, the sounds of nature, the beauty of nature and all of its abundance. Make a list yourself.
So, how do you stop yourself from taking all of these wonderful and varied pleasures for granted?
You do this by imagining what your life would be like if they were gone. Think about how you would feel if you could no longer talk to someone you love or experience something you love.
And then, think about how truly fortunate you are that you have so much in your life to be happy about so that you can begin to appreciate everything and everyone.
All of your "Things To Do and Worry About" lists will still be there but don't take for granted the things that matter the most, because life is always changing and NOW is the time to embrace all of the big and little gifts that surround you.
Don't get so caught up in your hectic life and your rambling mind that you forget to take 5 minutes to stop and reflect upon your blessings. We are all on a never ending adventure through life but if you don't enjoy the journey you're missing out on the essence of the trip and all of the pleasure along the way.
Slow down, take a breath and open your eyes and really look at all that you may be missing that's right in front of you. By truly appreciating what life is offering you is the ultimate in saying, "Thank
you!"
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life we sometimes take things for granted. We're so busy getting ready for work, getting the kids ready for school, making dinner, making plans, paying the bills, looking for money to pay the bills, working all day and doing this and that and everything else that's on our "To Do" list just to get through the days, weeks and months.
Unless you excel in time management and you're so organized you could become a day planner you probably collapse into bed at night thinking of all the things that didn't get done and that have now just been added to the bottom of your list of things to do.
You may even have a "Things …show more content…
to Worry About" list. Not only do you have things to do, you also have things to think about that mentally weigh you down and consume your precious thoughts that take you away from thinking about ALL of the things you have in your life to be thankful for.
This is exactly how we end up taking for granted all of the wonderful gifts we've been blessed with.
The list of things we take for granted is much longer than we realize since we are too busy to think about how lucky we are in so many ways and on so many levels.
I could list all of them for you but you wouldn't have time to read this blog so I'll recap them instead. Here are just some of the things we take for granted:
Our families: Husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, our children, grandparents and anyone who you actually like that you're related to (just kidding). Think of the people you love the most! And, add in your friends who are like an extended family.
Our health: This list is so long but here are just a few. The fact that you can see, walk, talk, and hear. (Well sometimes we don't!) The ability to do things for yourself. The power of your mind. Your arms and legs, hands and feet. And on and on and on and on.
Our favorite things: These go in the category ranging from your home, cars, clothes, food, furniture, toys and any and all possessions that make you happy. Not forgetting things like your favorite ice cream, a roaring fireplace, going to watch your favorite team, watching a great movie, taking a walk etc. etc. …show more content…
etc.
Nature: OMG I can't even begin to make a list here. Rainbows, leaves changing, snow falling, the sounds of nature, the beauty of nature and all of its abundance. Make a list yourself.
So, how do you stop yourself from taking all of these wonderful and varied pleasures for granted?
You do this by imagining what your life would be like if they were gone. Think about how you would feel if you could no longer talk to someone you love or experience something you love.
And then, think about how truly fortunate you are that you have so much in your life to be happy about so that you can begin to appreciate everything and everyone.
All of your "Things To Do and Worry About" lists will still be there but don't take for granted the things that matter the most, because life is always changing and NOW is the time to embrace all of the big and little gifts that surround you.
Don't get so caught up in your hectic life and your rambling mind that you forget to take 5 minutes to stop and reflect upon your blessings. We are all on a never ending adventure through life but if you don't enjoy the journey you're missing out on the essence of the trip and all of the pleasure along the way.
Slow down, take a breath and open your eyes and really look at all that you may be missing that's right in front of you. By truly appreciating what life is offering you is the ultimate in saying, "Thank
you!"