Thankfulness is Easy — We Make it Hard When We Overlook the Value of Little Things

Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating the small, everyday things in life as a source of thankfulness, rather than reserving gratitude for special occasions.

Abstract

The author argues that society often confines expressions of thankfulness to specific times of the year, such as holidays, despite the fact that gratitude should be a year-round state of being. The article criticizes the commercialization of holidays and the societal expectation to exhibit love and harmony during these periods, while ignoring the continuous struggles and negative interactions that persist throughout the year. The author suggests that true thankfulness is not contingent on grand gestures or special occasions but is found in the quiet appreciation of life's simple pleasures, which can be experienced through our five senses. By being mindful and present, one can find an endless stream of things to be thankful for, such as the smile of a child, the scent of fresh flowers, or the taste of a favorite food.

Opinions

The author believes that the commercialization of holidays has led to a seasonal and often superficial approach to gratitude.
The article expresses that the societal norm of only showing unity and kindness during the holiday season is hypocritical, given the divisiveness and negativity present at other times.
The author posits that gratitude journals and writing prompts are unnecessary for true thankfulness, which should flow naturally from a place of appreciation for both big and small aspects of life.
The author suggests that gratitude is not about deep contemplation or special occasions but is a constant, heartfelt acknowledgment of life's everyday blessings.
The article implies that modern life's pace and societal pressures often lead people to overlook the value of simple, daily experiences that can inspire thankfulness.

Thankfulness is Easy — We Make it Hard When We Overlook the Value of Little Things

Unless we’re all under the age of ten living in a time capsule, we’ve outlived the notion holidays are the only time of year we should feel thankful. Yet many of us continue acting as if we’ve stuffed every smidgeon of thankfulness in an oversized red Macy’s bag — shoved it into the garage only to drag out once a year along with a box of multicolored lights, shiny bulbs, and dusty flocked door wreath for display at a certain time of year.

As if thankfulness is seasonal. It’s not.

Nor is this season the most wonderful time of the year when people are dying, starving, disease ridden, homeless, mentally ill, and subjected to yet another COVID variant delivered just in time for Christmas. But that’s what our country, media, and advertising jingles want us to believe — it’s looking a lot like a Zuckerberg, Meta creation of a white Christmas — investors standing by betting on our buy-in for capital gain as we line their coffers with gold in the warmth of winter.

Does warm and winter even go together? I guess it does when the earth is melting or if you’re lucky enough to live on the West coast and go swimming on Christmas day.

Why can’t we feel warm and fuzzy toward each other 365 days a year? After the killing, shaming, and outright mean spiritedness over the past couple of years, we’re supposed to push the pause button under the pretense we all love each other? Admit it — we don’t. Then go back to hating each other the day after New Year’s. What kind of malarkey? I swear I did not intend to sound all bah hum buggy. But the hypocrisy is nauseating.

Thankfulness shouldn’t require deep contemplation or a special occasion.

IT’S A STATE OF BEING.

Back in the day when mindfulness gurus were preaching the novel idea of writing all the things we’re thankful for in a gratitude journal, I hopped on that noble train of thought, rode it until the wheels of my repetitiveness fell off. Life, family, home, job, REPEAT. When I’d get stuck — I’d think to myself, this is stupid. How does one get stuck not knowing what else to be thankful for — shouldn’t it be an easy, constant flow?

Not that there’s anything wrong with being thankful for the obvious things we all take for granted, but I don’t think we need writing prompts or fancy gratitude journals to inspire or showcase our thankfulness.

Thankfulness whispers from our hearts if we dare to still our minds and listen. Spreads through kindness toward one another — becomes actionable. True thankfulness emanates from the soul. When it’s seated inside of appreciation — not only the big things matter, but the little things just as much.

Here are a few little things I’m thankful for through my five senses.

TASTE

Coffee, chocolate, butter pecan, or strawberry ice cream

Macaroni and cheese

Veggie burger

Dark chocolate

Wine

Shouldn’t we live immersed in appreciation for the dawn of every new day we’re blessed to see and whatever it brings? When the heart is open free of self-created blockages, we can appreciate life in all its wonder and simplicity.

What are some of the little things you’re thankful for during this season of awkward frenzy?

Thankfulness is Easy — We Make it Hard When We Overlook the Value of Little Things

SIGHT

SMELL

HEARING

TOUCH

TASTE