We all have so many blessings but often times we fail to notice them. This is partly because we tend to compare our lives to others, and partly because we have a habit of minimizing and taking things for granted because we habitually get them with ease.
While it’s natural to sometimes not feel grateful for what we have, we should note that gratitude is not necessarily a feeling brought about by circumstances but rather a practice we embrace on a daily basis. There are a lot of “little” things that have a huge impact on our lives that we should habitually learn to recognize and appreciate. Here are 3 that we should be thankful for right now:
1. Food
In 2020, nearly 1 in 3 people in the world didn’t have access to adequate food. This translates to roughly 2.37 billion people who could not enjoy a healthy diet mainly due to poverty. In the same year, 811 million people faced starvation, which is a record number from previous years that was worsened by the COVID pandemic. While these numbers do change from year to year the fluctuations are usually minimal and the figures tend to remain in the same range. In fact, scientists estimate that around 660 million people may still face hunger in 2030.
This shows that having access to cheap nutritious food all year round is a huge blessing. Appreciate it by always taking a few moments to say grace before you eat.
2. Shelter
According to national reports about 2% of the world’s population, roughly 150 million, are homeless, and about 1.6 billion lack adequate housing. If you can afford a solid roof over your head that provides adequate cover and protection against the elements then consider yourself fortunate. A huge plus is if you live in a good neighborhood where security is not an issue and you get to enjoy a peaceful existence all year round. These are blessings we often tend to overlook until we put our lives in perspective.
3. Friends and family
If you have a loving family and a few genuine friends you need to take some time ever so often and show them your appreciation. Such people support you when you need help, encourage you when you’re feeling low, and even share in your triumphs and victories. They make your life more rich and meaningful. They help you build your self-esteem and bring out the very best in you. Most of all they see you for who you truly and they love you for it. Such people are rare and you don’t need to go far to realize that. Just turn on your T.V or browse the internet and you’ll come across a ton of stories of deceitful friends and emotionally absent and abusive family members. Going forward, start cherishing and savoring all the precious moments with your loved ones.
You don’t have to live in a fancy house or have lots of money in the bank to know you’re blessed. Start taking stock of the “little” things in your life and you’ll quickly realize just how fortunate you really are.
