All too often we only set aside one time per year to really, truly give thanks for all we have.  Even those who feel they don’t have alot have one thing we should all be thankful for; the gift of life.  Beauty is all around us and if we can capture that sense of continued awe when we stop, take a breathe, and appreciate all of the things we enjoy but take for granted, the world instantly looks like a better place.

Gratitude and appreciation is truly the conduit to happiness, a sense of purpose, and a fuller life.  I’ve been meaning to start a gratitude journal for quite awhile now, and the idea struck me that it would be even more powerful to share it and inspire others to do the same.  My aim is to find one thing to be grateful for each day which will force me to dig deeper to see tiny details that make our lives great but go overlooked.

Without further ado:

#ThankfulThursday – 1/1-1/7/2015

Today I’m thankful for…

1/1/2015 – A sense of hope and new beginnings

The new year is a special time.  It comes on the heels of the holiday season which is often a time of joy, reflection, and needed time off work or school.  With that comes a refreshing break, and the new year (and its resolutions) give us a feeling of optimism and the renewed vigor of a “fresh start.”  Capture that energy, take it in with each new day we’re granted, and be grateful for every drop of hope that keeps pulling your forward.

1/2/2015 – Things that make the world a smaller place

Over the course of our lives, we’ll inevitably be challenged by vast distances between ourselves and the ones we love, miss, and care about.  When I fly back home during the holidays it comes with a the bittersweet knowledge that I won’t be able to spend that time with a big chunk of my friends.  Fortunately, planes, trains, and automobiles allow me to go home frequently for a relatively small amount of money and close huge physical distances in mere hours.  Texts, Skype, photo albums, and Go Pros help me live vicariously alongside my friends and stay in touch. It’s a wonderful luxury to have our ability to remain connected to those who matter.

1/3/2015 – Smiles

I’m thankful for those who smile and whose spirits create smiles.  I’m thankful for the fact that we’re wired to feel good when we smile and respond in kind when we see others smile.  I’m thankful we as humans have a simple expression that can brighten days and spread joy.

1/4/2015 – People who go the extra mile in thankless jobs

Millions of people go to work every day to do the work that needs to be done, that makes our lives that much better, but is often thankless.  I have great appreciation (and admiration) to those folks who have no reason to, but choose to go the extra mile.  The bus drivers who crack a joke about themselves to cheer up their patrons after being a few minutes late because of traffic.  The waiter or waitress who writes a smiley face on your receipt.  The janitor whose whistled tunes are awash with happiness.  The store clerk who drops what they’re doing to help you find that one obscure item you’re hunting for and won’t stop until you’ve found it.  The hotel concierge that makes your stay unforgettable.  All of these people have brightened a great many of my days, and they deserve our sincere thanks.

1/5/2015 – Supportive friends and family

2015 will be a year of massive change for me.  Some innately “get it” while to others the changes I’m making may be a bit perplexing.  But regardless of where they are on that gradient, I’m so thankful for the unwavering support of so many of my family and friends that makes all of it feel so right and the future look so bright.

1/6/2015 – Challenges and mistakes

I’m thankful for the challenges I face, whether physical, mental, or emotional.  It is through these challenges and the mistakes I make along the way that I grow, learn more about myself, and realize just how great “normal” can be.  It is through struggle that we often discover a new-found appreciation for what we have and happiness almost always follows.

1/7/2015 – Sincere “thank yous”

I try to make a habit of small acts of kindness like holding a door or helping someone who looks lost find their way or going out of my way to help a friend.  I do so to try to brighten someone’s day, but do not look for anything tangible in return.  I simply get joy from helping people, and that’s enough.  However, I’m always extremely grateful to those who pause for a moment to give me a sincere thank you in recognition of my small gesture(s).

Your turn

I’m always looking for more inspiration, so tell me, what’s one thing you’re grateful for from the past week?  I’ll share a few submissions during next week’s post and intend to keep that going all year long.  While I love #ThrowbackThursday, I’d love to see #ThankfulThursday take off too.

The more we can say thanks, the better off we’ll be, especially because we don’t know if we’ll be able to say “thanks” to those we care about tomorrow or to those who’ve touched us that we’ll never cross paths with again – why wait?

“Of all the attitudes we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing.”  — Zig Ziglar

– EH