Attitude of Gratitude: 12 Reasons to Be Thankful
“You’re alive, breathing and using your eyes to read this. There is so much to be thankful for.”
Today I was asked when my next blog was dropping, and my response was in 2 months for my hair growth update. But then I thought to myself, I can post something…but what? And then it hit me.
We live in a crazy world, and COVID-19 is not helping. 2020 started off really horrible for me; it honestly felt like every week there was some more BS that I had to deal with. I often say 2020 is a joke, but let’s be real. My life is better than I deserve. Not that I’m a horrible person or anything, but with everything that’s happened to me, it very well could have been worse. People end up in situations like mine and don’t live. And even with what’s going on today, I could be in a hospital bed or jobless, homeless, parentless, friendless, and the list (and less) goes on.
I’m usually very optimistic, but sometimes it’s hard for me to see the good in things. The light at the end of the tunnel is off and I’m flicking the light switch like, “Did I pay the bill?” But honestly, seeing the good and practicing gratitude is a choice.
So today, I chose to make a list.
I do practice gratitude in my everyday life. I thank God for waking me up and giving me a close parking space at Target. I thank Him for my family, my apartment and that I didn’t wake up with a pimple. But I wanted to remind myself of the many reasons I have to be grateful. In case you were wondering, here are my 12 reasons to give thanks today:
1. I am thankful for my health. I can use every limb on my body, breathe and eat without a tube, take the stairs if I’d like and eat fried chicken with no regrets.
2. I am thankful for my parents. They are literally my everything. They’ve grown to be my best friends and have given me literally a perfect life. They support me in everything, and my dad is the reason why I’m so spoiled and have high expectations when I’m dating. And don’t get me started on my mom. She’s strongest woman I know. She’s amazing.
3. I am thankful for my job and the opportunities it has given me. I haven’t even been there a year and even in a global pandemic, my boss is still positioning me to win. I’m truly blessed to work there. IYKYK.
4. I’m thankful for my MacBook. With this little laptop, I can FaceTime and talk to my family and friends, binge Netflix and other streaming platforms and type up my blogs to share with you guys.
5. I am thankful for Italian ice. It’s so yummy! I was sad my favorite brand was sold out at Safeway, but I’m thankful, also, that I have the resources to purchase whatever I want at the grocery store.
6. I’m thankful for my friends. I have the smallest circle ever, but every one of them has impacted me in the biggest way. I can call them and literally cry because I’m hurting or send them a video of me being goofy and just enjoy a laugh. And even if we don’t talk every day, they’re always there. Love ya’ll.
7. I’m thankful for weekends. While every day now feels like every day (LOL), I’m thankful we have an opportunity to rest or have a blast! One of the reasons I moved back to the DMV was to fellowship with my homies, and I definitely miss linking up with my peeps and making memories.
8. I’m thankful for challenges. Of course adversity sucks, but who or where would I be without the uncomfortable situations that I had to go through?
9. I’m thankful for sunshine. Sunny days are literally the best. They put me in an amazing mood, and that coupled with a clean car full of gas and dope playlist— breathes deeply —just perfect!
10. I’m thankful for music. I’m so thankful God blessed people with the ability to tell my story through song. And even for the songs I can’t relate to, I’m thankful for dope beats and mellow tunes. Music has helped me get through so much. (Let’s do karaoke when we can live our lives publicly again.)
11. I’m thankful for good jeans (and good genes). Listen. You don’t know how good it feels to buy a pair of jeans that makes the cakes sit and fits the length of these long legs! I’m also thankful people still think I’m in my early 20s with no makeup on. Although sometimes I struggle with how I look, I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
12. Lastly, I am thankful for grace. Every day God spares me. I’m thankful for the favor over my life and for the opportunity to live eternally because of His son.
So. Here’s my challenge to you: Take some time today, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, to come up with a gratitude list. If it doesn’t come naturally, don’t let that stop you from still giving thanks. You’re alive, breathing and using your eyes to read this. There is so much to be thankful for.
TTYL.
Aja