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 a lot 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 breath, 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 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 – 10/15 – 10/21/2015

Today I’m thankful for…

10/15/2015 – Community Projects.

One of the things I love volunteering for (yet admittedly have done far too little of lately) are community projects. Community projects have an extremely high return of investment because they tend to endure for many years and touch countless lives along the way.

Whether a playground or a hiking trail, community projects seem to me to be one of the best investments we can make with our time, money, and energy. I know I’ve benefitted immensely from them over the years and will continue to find ways to pay it forward.

10/16/2015 – Batteries.

Ahh, yes. The battery. We have a love-hate relationship with batteries. They make so many of the modern conveniences possible, they hold the key to the future of renewable energy. At the same time they are expensive, relatively heavy, and we demand so much more out of them.

Fortunately, it’s only a matter of time before a world-changing battery technology comes along and changes, quite literally, everything. Super efficient battery tech will enable everything from an ultra-efficient/reliable power grid to huge reductions in the cost of missions to space (and colonizing space itself).

10/17/2015 – Zippers.

I’d like to nominate the humble zipper as one of the most overlooked inventions we use at some point almost every day. Zippers have a deceptively fascinating history that’s worth a look.

Look closely at a zipper and you’ll find that each “zip” has a very complex shape that is meant to lock / unlock smoothly while still maintaining a firm, reliable hold when clasped. There’s an enormous amount of ingenuity in the design of the clasps and slider as well as the machinery required to manufacture a zipper.

Zippers just work and look dead simple at the same time – the true mark of great engineering.

10/18/2015 – Thermostats.

Whether it’s the cold in the Winter or the Sumer heat, one little ingenious device is fundamental in keeping us at just the right temperature. The thermostat has long been a super simple device performing a vital function in the under appreciated world of indoor temperature control. New “smart” thermostats help us be more efficient yet still have the same fundamental purpose I’m thankful for – cozy Winter nights and cool Summer afternoons.

10/19/2015 – Honeycrisp Apples.

You have my Alma Mater, the University of Minnesota, to thank for the best Apple ever engineered – the Honeycrisp.

10/20/2015 – Great Workouts.

It’s often said that we don’t fully understand the full spectrum of therapeutic effects that exercise has on our minds, bodies, and overall well-being. We know exercise released a large number of endorphins into our system (commonly known as “runner’s high”) which immediately makes us feel good and energized.

What’s less well-known is why regular exercise tends to have dramatic effects on our motivation, our habits, and our ability to make other positive changes in our lives. We also sleep better, have reduced stress, and increased willpower. A great workout has this magical effect of pulling us out of a funk and getting us back on track.

10/21/2015 – Frequent Flow States.

“Flow States” are often described as a mental state where you’re so completely absorbed in whatever you’re doing that your brain isn’t able to keep tabs on your basic bodily state. The result is that you lost complete lack of time, you may even forget that you’re hungry or need to go to the bathroom, but more fundamentally that you’re in a state of total mental absorption.

The key ingredients are an adequate amount of challenge and the skills to meet those challenges. To find myself in flow states frequently is evidence I’m working on something truly challenging where I’m growing and making meaningful progress on something important to me.

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?