No matter who you are or what’s going on in your life, there’s a lot to be thankful for. What’s more, research has shown us that being thankful can improve your life.
To feel better about life whether you don’t feel like there’s anything to be thankful for or you just want to live life more wowfully, try this simple way to make your life better.
A Lot to Be Thankful For
I started a practice many years ago that has greatly benefited me and my outlook. That’s not to say that life has been perfect. It also hasn’t stopped me from struggling with the normal ups and downs of life. What it has done is made it better. Sometimes it’s flipped my mood entirely.
It’s simple: just think of five things to be thankful for every day. That’s it.
Here’s the thing: there’s a lot to be thankful for. In fact, here’s something that will blow your mind: Even the richest people in the world 30 years ago didn’t have access to some of the things you do.
A Different World
30 years ago online shopping wasn’t really a thing. The internet was in its infancy. When people called, you had to talk (and you generally didn’t know who was calling). If you didn’t know something, you had to ask someone and hope they knew. We’ve learned a great deal about being better with money, relationships, parenting, and more in that time.
If you wanted to do research, you had to find the right books. Pretty much all jobs were in person. In other words, in many respects, you are better off now than the billionaires were 30 years ago.
That’s not all. Think about even a couple hundred years ago. Clean drinking water and flushable toilets were rare at best. Showers weren’t really a thing. Cars, phones, computers, interstates, and more were non-existent.
Think how much the richest people in the world would have paid for any of this. Their money was worthless when it came to providing the wonderful advancements we take for granted every day.
No matter how bad things are, most people in the world can travel freely and quickly, have access to proper sanitation and clean drinking water, have access to food, and can speak to almost anyone whenever they want. That’s a lot to be thankful for! When you think about it, even when things are down, it’s great being you!
A Better Perspective
Life is tough. It’s challenging. At times it feels harsh and unfeeling. But even in those times, chances are you still have a much, much better life than the most powerful people in the world did just a few hundred years ago.
What’s more, research has shown that acknowledging the things we have to be thankful for makes us happier and healthier. That doesn’t mean it will make our problems go away, but it does mean we will live better despite them.
Here’s all it takes: just think of five things to be thankful for every day. We have a lot to be thankful for. Not only do we have all the things I’ve already mentioned, but we have so much more: air to breathe, currency that makes exchanging goods easier, society which provides a great deal of support and structure, natural things that excite the senses like beautiful vistas and culinary delights.
The more we focus on what we have, the more we enjoy the life we live, and the more we find creative solutions to the things that make life less enjoyable.
There’s a lot to be thankful for. Think of five things each day that make your life better. Right now is the perfect time to start.
