Even in times of uncertainty – even when life seems far from perfect – it’s always important to keep things in perspective.
Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.
? Henry David Thoreau
- You are alive.
- You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night.
- You didn’t go to sleep outside.
- You had a choice of what clothes to wear this morning.
- You haven’t spent a minute in fear for your life.
- You know someone who loves you.
- You have access to clean drinking water.
- You have access to medical care.
- You have access to the Internet.
- You can read.
Some might say you are incredibly wealthy and privileged, so remember to be thankful for all the things you do have.
Your turn…
What would you add to the list?
What do you sometimes forget to be thankful for?
Please leave a comment below and share your thoughts.
Photo by: D.Ph
Jennifer says
Great post, Marc and Angel. Love the simplicity of this.
I forget to be grateful for all those times when I prayed that “Only if I get this situation sorted, I will never ask for anything else” Guess what, every single situation got sorted out eventually, yet I ask for more without remembering how much I already have.
Also thankful for your site and your happiness course. Both have helped me in dealing with many issues.
Stan says
I sometimes forget that I’m done with Leukemia… and that I’m now getting ready to take the bar exams come October. I’ve come a long way.
Always, always love your supportive words of wisdom. Your blog and 1,000 Things book have helped me stay positive and motivated through extremely tough times. Thank you 🙂
Sandra Pawula says
So true! So much we take for granted.
We also have this beautiful planet to sustain us if we care for her. I’m am so excited to be growing a small orchard. Although it the works sometimes seems endless, it gives me so much joy.
Jeff Ray says
Thanks for this. Life is a series of mountains and valleys, ups and downs. And I’ve been wandering in a valley for a couple of weeks now. It’s frustrating and I know well enough that it’s up to me to find my path back out. I’m just tired. But little reminders like this to be thankful for the simple things that I do have, even during darker times, are appreciated. Thanks.
Derek says
As a member of the U.S. Army, I think about this topic every day I wake up. Thankful to be alive and have the freedoms we have.
Angela says
I was just telling someone we all need to be thankful yesterday. 🙂 Thank you for this post.
Anna De Amicis says
Thanks M&A for your constant positive reminders- especially on gratitude!
I build in being grateful as part of my water aerobics class I run and students love it!!
Suzi says
I forget the strength I get from God. I sometimes forget that he is always here with me, and when times get tough, he is there to carry me through it. There have been times ,but for the love of God, that I do not think I would make it.
Elvira Alves says
Reading this makes me remember how life if great and how thankful we must be ever day to have all those things, when millions of people are starving and dying every minute in many countries.
Before complaining we should remember those who are suffering and have nothing at all and be grateful for the sunrise of each morning. The human being should not look selfish.
Marie says
I love the article! It helps remind me to be thankful for all my blessings. Thank you very much for this.
Kim says
I forget to be grateful for life’s difficulties, because that gives life color, and most importantly, growth. I forget to be grateful for all the heroes that have lost their lives and those that put their life on the line everyday so that I can be free. I forget to be grateful that I don’t have any mental or physical disabilities or chronic illnesses. I forget to be grateful that I am living this life, in this country; it is the best in the world.
Cathy says
I don’t know anyone who loves me right now ~ they all passed away. It’s a hard thing to live with. Nut I am truly thankful for the rest.
Jeff says
I’m thankful for all of those things and that I in general have a means to an end with certain things I am dealing with. I haven’t taken the plunge on any of your books or courses yet but hope to do so soon. Read the emails and blog posts as I receive them and am trying to apply these words and thoughts of wisdom. Thank you.
Farah says
Having all of my faculties!
Jill says
I am always thankful for all of the elderly people. If we still have elderly people in our own personal lives, each day is a gift. We’ve all lost people too early which brings us sadness so why not look at the other side to it and be grateful for the elderly who are still here with us. Have patience for them and treat them as you would like to be treated when you are their age. 🙂
David Rapp says
1. You are free (to travel, love, cry, write, read, listen, talk, paint, etc.)
2. You can join (the crowd, the movement, the community, the game, the class, etc.)
3. You can choose NOT to (drink alcohol, do drugs, join the crowd, take the class, watch that show, etc.)
4. You can can change
5. You can stay the same
6. You have your whole life ahead of you, for as long or as short as it will be
Donna says
It’s so true that remembering and being thankful for what we have, and sharing what we can with others is the first step 1 to turn us from focusing on ourselves and what we don’t have. I often share these inspirations with others, and am reminded that several of them cannot claim half that is listed here. Still they have their list, more basic, but just as effective. Thank you for this frequent reminder. 🙂
Holly says
This is a wonderful list. I also give thanks that I wasn’t born a women in Syria or similar places. That I grew up with the feminist movement and wasn’t killed for it. That I have a community of dear friends. And that I’ve been able to earn a living and take vacations instead of hoping I’ll be able to buy food or medicine for my child.
Sarah Waters says
Perfect. My co-workers and I often look at each other after complaining about something and say: “Well, First World problems. Right?”
I try to never forget how lucky I am. Not that there is any absence of love, happiness, even fulfillment in the developing world–there is plenty. Life is just harder.
Clover Jean says
Hi Marc & Angel. What a great post. You reconfirmed to me how extremely wealthy I am. I have all that is on the list and more! I am richer than life itself! Thank you.
Lisa Berney says
You have your parents.
Your have your children/grandchildren.
You have the ability to work.
My dad just passed away 2 months ago from a long battle with cancer. My mom has been deceased a long time, but that does not change things. My children/grandchildren will be elsewhere. I have filed/denied SSI/SSD and unable to pay basic needs nor doctor co-pays for me to see the doctors I need to see. I just pray for one day, just one, free from pain and depression with the ability to walk into town (about a mile) to enjoy the view of the river from the bridge.
Barbara Joy says
I am grateful to be a voice for our wolves who are being slaughtered….again.
Nancy says
I can walk, I can talk, I can breathe and feed myself. I can hear and see, my health is good. I have so much to be thankful for. I don’t ever want to take anything for granted. and @Cathy – find somewhere to volunteer – mentor a kid in school who doesn’t have anyone to care about them. There is plenty of love out there! And don’t forget to love yourself!
Gopal Holla says
I am thankful I have been given the opportunity to love and look after my aged mother.
I am thankful I can feel.
veena says
Many times when I felt down and defeated by the circumstances, your articles were there to help. Thanks.
I am thankful to have Marc and Angel to guide me.
Ritagya K. says
Your book has been my blessing this year. It drives my day. Thanks for being helpful and keeping your blog running too 🙂
Ritagya
Helen Pariza says
That we can see and be seen
That we can laugh and laugh with others
That we can cry and sob for others
That we can love and be loved by others
That we can hear and hear others
That we just are!
imaobong says
Thank you marc and angel, you both have brought back smiles on my face with hope.
Carrie L. Baic says
I would add that I am also thankful for ~
My wonderful family
This beautiful area, surrounded by nature’s bounty
A supportive community
The knowledge that I have everything I need, Right here, Right now.
Peace,
Carrie
Chris says
I am thankful that I found your site.
margie says
I too am so thankful that I found your site. it’s helping me now to get by on my everyday anxieties. Now i have you both to remind me how good life is in spite of all the difficulties i am facing. From the bottom of my heart thank you so so much.
Below are some of my lists to be grateful for.
-none in my family is sick
-work to go too every day
-friends that loves you
-clean air / water
-peaceful country
-the beautiful snow
-too many..and thank you for opening my eyes. it’s a struggle, but i am starting to see it. i can feel the pain but i can still smile at the same time…
God Bless us All!!!
Joe Barguiarena says
“WOW” what a wonderful list. Thank you for reminding me how lucky I am. Thank you!
Rose Costas says
Thanks Marc for the reminder. I need to be grateful for all of those and much more. Isn’t it funny how much we take for granted. We are so caught up in worrying about what we do not have but take very little time to be grateful for all we have.
I am grateful I can look out my kitchen window at the ocean and meandering mountains and can get up and go jogging at 4am without fear and also have great health to be able to run without pain.
Thanks for the reminder.
Melissa Wilson says
What a great reminder for gratitude. We truly do have these things to be grateful for and it’s having the little things that can make the biggest difference.
Frank says
Thank you for the reminder. I keep the total list of all 19 on the wall. I’ve been down for a bit, and your lists really help. Happy Thanksgiving!
Carol says
Great list. I would add “having something to do that is meaningful to me.” Feeling useful and having a purpose is a necessary part of happiness.
Alisha says
I’m thankful for God’s grace, my parents, my sister (even though she annoys me at times), my best friend Erin, my pets, oh wow…the list could go on!
kebede says
Thank you for these simple reminders to be grateful. Appreciated.
Rodger says
Am very thankful, that I have recovered to where I am, after the closed head injury in 1995. And have family and friends close by. Have a great wife as well as a good life. So many things through my life. to be thankful for. Most of all, is you Danny Higgons.
Tom says
I agree with Carrie, I’m grateful that I have I have everything I need, right here, right now.
Sheila Bergquist says
I am all for gratitude and practice it every day. Your list is great except I have to wonder how you can add number five there. Many people have been in fear for their lives at some point so that one is iffy. And as far as having access to health insurance, that’s true, but many of us are having a really hard time affording it. I think your list is good but a bit optimistic, but I love your site and your attitude.
Colton says
The competency and openness to appreciate this post…
Greg schenk says
1. I can see my vision is good
2. I have a choice of what to do each day with my life making a positive impact on my son and others lives
3. I have a choice about my health and what I will put into my body and how I will care for my body , mind and soul!
4. I have a choice to live with ” an attitude of gratitude”
Antoine says
I honestly don’t care about Internet access, but :
– I can walk
– I can think and say what I want
vilma says
I’m so much thankful to our Savior despite of the facts that we forgotten our responsibility to Him..still there with full of guidance, blessings and forgiveness..during our ups and down situations..secondly to my wonderful parents, siblings, nephews, cousins and my beloved husband.
Ivan says
I am so much blessed with I have everything that makes me happy despite the challenges that I have to go through. Amen
Cyeenthia says
I have a choice to live with “an attitude of gratitude.”
Amit Vele says
It is quite true that we forget what we have until we lose the only things we have.
The world needs to know that if you aren’t happy with the things you have now you won’t be happy in future with whatever you are going to possess.
Thank you for the small reminder 🙂
lerato namane says
We sometimes forget to be grateful for our jobs and tend to take them for granted while millions stay at home depressed because of unemployment. I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY JOB. 🙂
Toni - Reclaiming Your Future says
I almost did die recently, and I now live by the beach which is medicine for my soul! Grateful!