10 Things To Be Thankful For RIGHT NOW
The 2020 holiday season is here! If you’re anything like me, you are going into this time with a good bit of fear and anxiety. I mean, if the holiday season follows the pattern of the rest of 2020, there is legitimate cause for concern. So many of us struggle with anxiety and fear even under the best of circumstances. This year you may have the added stresses of dealing with family get togethers while social distancing and missing out on normal parties and gatherings. It can be a lot to process. Yet, at the same time there’s that little glimmer of hopefulness that usually accompanies this season, an anticipation of better days ahead. It’s a time to be thankful for our blessings, and a time to bless others. A time to look to the future with hope. SO, In the spirit of counting our blessings even in the midst of this chaotic, anxiety filled year I give you 10 things to be thankful for RIGHT NOW.
10 THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR RIGHT NOW
#10 – MODERN CONVENIENCES
Electricity, air conditioning and heaters, medicine, running water and plumbing that works, microwaves, cell phones and instant messaging just to name a few. I mean, there’s something to be said for a hot shower, Netflix and a fresh bag of microwaved popcorn when you’re feeling stressed.
#9 – THE SUPERHIGHWAY
Where would we be this year without the internet? It’s kept us in touch, entertained, productive, and educated during a global pandemic! Seriously, imagine the chaos if COVID-19 had happened 30 years ago!!
#8 – ONLINE FRIENDS
If you’ve got a niche interest, need some advice, sell products or just need to chat, I guarantee you’ll be able to find a group online to connect with. Isn’t it fantastic to be able to say that you have a friend on the other side of the country or even the world with whom you have a strong connection but you’ve never actually met that person in the flesh? What an amazing time we are living in!
#7 – READING
Stress relief=Curling up with a good old fashioned page turner. Or, if you’re embracing #10 on this list, click to listen to a classic. Escape reality for a moment to another time and place through the pages of a good book.
#6 – RESTING AND WAKING
Sleep is a beautiful way to wash away the cares of the day. Waking up from a refreshing sleep often gives a new perspective and renewed energy to face whatever trials lay ahead of us.
#5 – NATURE
Even if you are not an outdoorsy person you can still appreciate the beauty of the outside world. Slow down enough to watch a sunrise or a sunset, watch the breeze blow through the trees, experience the chill and wonder of a fresh snowfall. Take a few minutes and just breathe in the beauty of it all.
#4 – TIME
Something that 2020 has given to so many of us is the gift of time. Our schedules normally stay so packed with activities and work that we stay in a perpetual state of exhaustion. Being quarantined for months on end has helped me realize what a gift just being present with my people actually is. I suddenly had time to play a game with my family, do a fun craft project, or clean out that closet I never seemed to have the time to do before. A lesson I hope to carry into 2021 is to slow down and spend some time with and on the people and activities that bring me joy.
#3 – CURBSIDE PICKUP & DOOR DELIVERIES
I know, I know, this seems like such a trivial thing to be thankful for. I LOVE that we live in a society where you can shop for, pay for and have delivered almost anything your heart desires without ever leaving your couch. People who work in this convenience industry are rock stars in my opinion and I for one am very thankful for them.
#2 – CONTENTMENT AND WISDOM
Wisdom and contentment go hand in hand. Wisdom is the ability to look at a situation and learn from it. Contentment is being able to look at that same situation and understand that some things just are what they are and there is nothing we can do besides accept it. Somehow having these two virtues make facing the hard stuff in life a little more bearable.
#1 – RELATIONSHIPS
Online friends and support groups are great but real-life hugs, giggles, and shoulders to lean on are even better. Be thankful today for the people in your life. Even the ones who try your patience at times.
Now it’s your turn. What would make your top 10 list for things to be thankful for right now?
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