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 – 1/29 – 2/4/2015

Today I’m thankful for…

1/29/2015 – Youthfulness.

There’s a certain intangible beauty to youthfulness beyond simple innocence. It extends further into an imaginative ignorance coupled with tons of energy and a sense of immortality that breaks down barriers. Without the bias of experience, you’re free to face fears, think outside the box, and discover the seemingly-obvious ways to improve the world. Children are the dreamers, and those who can keep that fire lit make the world a better place.

1/30/2015 – Access to information.

I’m a firm believer that in today’s information age there’s almost nothing you can’t learn for free if you have the desire to do so. Easy access to so much information is liberating and will give rise to a rapidly-evolving education system, and one that’s skill-based and not solely education and experience-based. Slowly but surely, information (and universal access to it) will help us make sense of the world and combat the destructive ignorance of the world.

1/31/2015 – Sacrifice for the greater good.

I’ve long had an admiration for military personnel, firefighters, police officers, and anyone else who make great sacrifices beyond themselves – and in far too many cases, made the ultimate sacrifice. While I find war and violence to be nonsensical and puzzling, there are those times when the conflict is justified by a fundamental moral and ethical violation that ought to be stood up for. And over the millennia, millions have stood – not for themselves, but to protect, defend, and/or fight for those they love, what they believe in, and the generations to come. And in millions of cases – they paid the ultimate price. And for those who fought for “good,” whose sacrifices, big and small, have made my life better today – thank you, thank you, thank you.

2/1/2015 – Order (lack of chaos).

Today I’m thankful that despite the “chaos” of our modern lives, that mine is mostly absent of chaos that worries me. While the hustle-and-bustle can be stressful, the systems in place make it so I rarely fear for my life. I can generally predict how my day will go (how long to get ready, get to work/school, to make dinner, etc). That ability to predict how our days will go allows us to plan and make the most of our time – which is our most precious resource.

2/2/2015 – “See you laters.”

There’s nothing quite like re-connecting with friends or family after you haven’t seen them for awhile. It’s amazing how it can be a really long time but it doesn’t feel like it once you’ve been re-united. And while it can suck to say goodbye again, you have the next time to look forward to – it’s not goodbye, it’s see you later.

2/3/2015 – The rain.

The rain is many things to us. It’s irrigation for plants, water to drink, and in a more abstract sense it cleanses the world. I also find appreciation in the rain because it makes it feel cozy to be inside, to relax, and just enjoy it guilt-free. There’s also nothing like the sound of the pattering rain to help you fall asleep at night.

2/4/2015 – Having a story to tell.

I’m thankful to have been able to do and see interesting things and lead a life that has formed into a story I’m excited to tell. I’m grateful that I have had others around to support and inspire me to chase my dreams and the ability to work my way towards them. I’m thankful for my unrelenting curiosity that takes me to new places, new ideas, and new perspectives. And as a whole, I’m thankful for my story.

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?