Amazing things to be thankful for are all around us, sometimes you have to open your eyes. Especially when you don’t feel joyous.
Is there anything worse than being in a totally bad and negative mood and having someone say something like “you should count your blessings.” Sure, when things go bad I know that there is always someone worse off than me, but I also think things could be better. If you look for things to be thankful for, they are all around you.
I grew up with privilege. No, I didn’t grow up a Kardashian. Way, way, far removed from them. But, privilege is all in degrees, isn’t it? No matter how bad things get in my life, how many knocks I experience, and how badly I’m beaten down by bad luck, I can always find things to be thankful for.
100 wondrous things to be thankful for that we take for granted
I am not trying to convince you that if things in your life suck right now you shouldn’t wallow for a while. Everyone needs their pity party to move on. But, I would insist that everyone, and I do mean everyone, has things to be thankful for.
A function of being human, God, or whoever rules this universe, gives us all things to celebrate even in times when the last thing we feel is celebratory.
1. Rain
Not everyone loves rain, but it is the thing that makes the flowers and grass grow. It also washes all things away to make everything new. Like a do-over, rain is one of the things to be thankful for. [Read: 12 keys to finding your second chance]
2. Love
No better feeling on earth. What feels better than being in love? If you have people in your life that you love, then you have something to be very thankful for. [Read: What does it feel like to be in love?]
3. Kissing
Is there anything more exhilarating than when your lips meet theirs? A very strange practice for sure, I am very thankful for the times I get kisses from the guy in my life.
4. Smiles
Smiles are like a little shot of happiness directed your way. Smiles make your day bright and all your problems seem that much less.
5. Laughter
Laughter truly is the best medicine. Be thankful when you can find the humor, even when things are not humorous.
6. Puddles
Puddles aren’t just for kids. Come on now, you like to drive through them and stamp them every once in a while, admit it!
7. Wind in our hair
Nothing more life affirming than letting the wind whip your face as you find your freedom in a convertible, motorcycle, or just our riding your bike. The wind is something miraculous. [Read: 14 steps to unfake your life and love being you]
8. Rainbows
Not just the gay community is thankful for rainbows. They are pretty amazing!
9. Children’s laughter
That includes the laughter of a baby who just learned how to giggle. It just sets your heart on fire. I suppose that I should lump YouTube here too because you can listen to it anytime you want.
10. Sunny days
Sunny days are like soaking in energy that lasts forever.
11. Rainy days
Rainy days are God’s way of giving you a break to do nothing but lay in bed and watch a movie on a weekend.
12. Friends
What would life be like without friends? I can’t imagine not having anyone to pick me up or to vent to. [Read: 18 ways to build lasting friendships]
13. Family
Sometimes you are thankful for them, sometimes not. But when the shit hits the fan, it is nice to have them around.
14. Shelter
We all need someplace warm and safe!
15. Good food
Of any kind!
16. Shoes
Can you imagine how much your feet would hurt?
17. Orgasms
They make you feel really good, right?!
18. Praise
When someone says, “good job,” that is something that you should be thankful for. There isn’t enough of that going around.
19. Sex
It makes us feel good and connected to someone.
20. Emotions
Good, bad, or indifferent, it is better than walking through life without anything but vanilla.
21. Spring
Blooming flowers and spring showers.
22. Fall
Sweater weather and football.
23. Quiet
Sorry, that might just be for those of us with kids. [Read: How to make the absolute most out of your alone time]
24. Children
That one during certain stages might not apply, but overall, it always will.
25. Cars
Walking everywhere would be a total bitch and waste of time.
26. Pizza
Melty, cheesy goodness. What’s not to be thankful for?
27. Netflix
What did we do before we could watch whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted?
28. Music
It can bring you up, allow you to wallow, or just remind you of the best time ever. [Read: Fun and upbeat songs to groove you out of that funk]
29. Hugs
We need human touch, and hugs are one of the best forms.
30. Starlit nights
A reminder of how big this universe is.
31. Campfires
No need for scary stories just the people who make you smile.
32. Heat
It would suck to be cold all the time!
33. Air conditioning
It would really suck to be hot all the time.
34. The internet
Sometimes a blessing, sometimes a curse.
35. Smart phones
A text from someone you love or a chance to check out your pictures.
36. Free will
If you use it the right way, or any way I suppose.
37. Baths
How good does rushing water feel?
38. Pets
Until they pee on your carpeting! [Read: Why millenials are choosing puppies over babies]
39. Ziplock bags
Disposable stuff rocks!
40. Wine
It just takes you away.
41. Beer
Let’s be thankful for the hops!
42. Credit cards
Especially when you get in a jam!
43. Freedom
The best thing in the world, we should be thankful for soldiers here too!
44. Vacation
Time away gives the perspective we need.
45. Superficial people
Without them we wouldn’t know what depth feels like!
It gives us a chance to stay connected with people we weren’t able to before. [Read: The good, the bad, the ugly of social media]
47. Cookies
Hot out of the oven…
48. Moms
Maybe not all of them, but I am thankful for mine!
49. Penicillin
We don’t suffer like they used to.
50. Indoor plumbing
No more outhouses? That definitely rocks.
51. Random acts of kindness
A little kindness goes a long way.
52. Comfortable couches
Nap time!
53. Walmart
Wally world has like everything you need.
54. Fast food
Yum!
55. A roof over your head
Sleeping in the rain is miserable. And wet.
54. Clothes
Although there might be some people you wouldn’t mind seeing naked.
55. Laundry machines
Beating your clothes on rocks was hard work.
56. Refrigerators
Leftovers are the best. You should be thankful for them too.
57. Fireflies
It is a miracle how they can light up their little asses, isn’t it?
58. Therapists
We all need someone to talk to.
59. Good health
If you have it, be thankful for it!
60. Sunsets
It’s almost bedtime! [Read: How to make happiness your default state]
61. Sunrises
The promise of a new day.
62. Mountain views
If you get to go, go.
63. Sandy beaches
And a cold beer!
64. Dessert
Chocolate! Sugar rush! Enough said.
65. Drinks with umbrellas
Love my frou-frou drinks.
66. Earphones
Especially the noise-canceling ones.
67. Pick-up lines *that work*
We all need to feel wanted.
68. Toothbrushes
Clean teeth are the best.
69. Flowers
They make the world look and smell more beautiful.
70. John Mayer
Sorry, this one might just be for girls, but I am thankful that he introduced the notion of my body being a wonderland!
71. Concerts
A crowd of people excited together.
72. Traditions
It connects us to our past.
73. Flex time/freelance positions
What is better than working from anywhere?
74. Home ownership
Until something breaks, that sucks.
75. Summer
Sunshine warm on your back. [Read: 6 healthy summer trends and what they can do for you]
76. Christmas *or any holiday*
Family and friend time and lots of good food.
77. Snow days
There is nothing more to be thankful for than a free day to sit at home and do nothing!
78. Doctors
Love them, hate them, but we’d be pretty sick without them.
79. Companionship
We all need it.
80. Old people
Some of them… They give you knowledge when you need it.
81. America
Lots of freedoms.
82. The ability to vote
If you don’t use it, you can’t be thankful for it, so use it!
83. Freedom of speech
Sometimes good for you, sometimes bad, but be thankful you can say what you want without fear.
84. Your favorite t-shirt
It fits all your kinks and is oh-so-soft.
85. Memories
What if we just went from day to day without ever remembering the good or the bad? Pretty meaningless.
86. Youth
If you have it.
87. Your first crush
Whether you knew it or not that was about the most exciting feeling you will ever have. Hopefully, you enjoyed it!
88. French fries
And ketchup! [Read: Foodie dates! 15 trendy dinner ideas]
89. Hair ties
Girl thing, nothing worse than your hair in your face and mouth all the time.
90. Makeup
It can hide just about any blemish.
91. Compliments
They just make you feel good.
92. Being educated
If you are, you know what I mean.
93. Dancing
The crazy kind, like just letting it all go free and easy.
94. Sunglasses
Looking cool and keeping wrinkles at bay.
95. Living in a first world nation with first world nation problems
Yep, as horrible as they can sometimes be, imagine if you didn’t have them at all.
96. Good hair days
There is nothing better.
97. Luck
We don’t all have it, and we don’t have it all the time. When we do, it sure does feel good.
98. Blessings
These are all the things I have lumped into things that make you, you. [Read: How to stop feeling sorry for yourself & stop the pity party]
99. Sneezing
Anyone who had to sneeze but couldn’t get it out knows what this means!
100. Being alive
Is there anything else?
The things to be thankful for are typically the ones we take for granted most. The next time you feel like life beats you down, or you feel like the unluckiest person in the world, take a look around at all the miracles you can find. If you just open your eyes a little, you see that you have so much to be thankful for.
[Read: What it means to be your own hero and take control of your life]
Sure, life is not always a piece of cake, and things can be rough. The good news is every day is a new day filled with wonder and things to be thankful for from sunrise to sunset.
