Sometimes I forget just how privileged and blessed I am to enjoy so many things which I often take for granted as being basic parts of everyday life, yet which many others in this world either don’t have or must struggle to obtain. I forget, and I grumble when things don’t go my way… and am immediately humbled when reminded just how fortunate I am. So today’s gratitude list is about stepping back to take a look at some of those “basics” and focus on giving thanks.
In no particular order, here is my own gratitude list for this moment in time. I hope that after reading it you’ll go on to write and share your own!
- Living in a peaceful part of the world where I am free to come and go as I please with little or no fear of danger or violence.
- Reliable access to fresh, clear, running water for drinking, bathing, and cleaning – with no more physical effort required on my part than the twist of a tap or the flush of a toilet.
- Earning a salary that’s sufficient to pay the bills, put food on the table, entertain ourselves, and even buy some extras.
- Having a more than ample amount of clothes, shoes, and even accessories and therefore never having to worry about whether I’ll have anything to wear.
- Living in a country that provides its citizens with access to excellent publicly-funded health care.
- Enjoying the additional benefit of extended medical and dental coverage through my employer.
- The support and friendship of my employer and co-workers.
- Having a job while living in a city with a high rate of unemployment.
- Being able to work from home, eliminating the need to commute to the office.
- Being able to work part-time, giving me additional time to pursue outside interests.
- Owning a comfortable, spacious home that’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
- Owning a reliable, fuel-efficient vehicle and never having to worry about how to get from place to place.
- Having access to the internet.
- The convenience of a multitude of electronic gadgets – laptop, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle…
- Hours of entertainment on our shelves full of books, music, and movies.
- Having access to borrow even more books, music, and movies – as many as I could possibly want – for free, through our public library system.
- Enjoying great physical health in spite of not always taking the very best care of myself.
Now it’s your turn!
How to get involved in the Gratitude Linkup
Note: This linkup will be open for the entire month, so feel free to add as many gratitude posts as you choose to write in August!
- Write and post a gratitude list in your own blog.
- Click the “add your link” button below and share your gratitude post.
- Click “get the InLinkz code” below and add the linkup code to your post.
- Visit and comment on some of the posts listed in the Gratitude Linkup.
P.S. – Here’s some background on why I started the Gratitude Linkup.
Twitter: obsessivemom06
August 2, 2015
It’s the simplest pleasures that make our lives liveable yet they’re one we take for granted so easily. Thanks for sharing your list Laurel – I needed those reminders – specially since there has been a time when we had to struggle for things like clean running water.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 3, 2015
Those simple things are so very important!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + August 2015 Gratitude Linkup
My baby’s squeals of delight over the simplest things. 🙂
Dana recently posted… The Treasure of Experience
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 3, 2015
Lovely. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + August 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: CorinneBlogs
August 3, 2015
I love how you’ve listed the many things people take for granted, Laurel! Thanks for the reminder!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted… Stand Because Sitting Will Kill You
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 3, 2015
You’re welcome, Corinne! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + August 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Agree with you Laurel that so often it is easy to take all that one enjoys for granted ; loved your list.. I will make my list too… thanks for sharing !
G Angela recently posted… Gratitude post for July, 2015
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 3, 2015
You’re welcome, Angela!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + August 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: parul2411
August 3, 2015
What a lovely list and I couldn’t agree more. These are simple yet so important things to keep life going on! I am glad you wrote this list to remind us.
Parul recently posted… Sunday Punch #34
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 3, 2015
They really are so very important, and it’s good to remind ourselves now and then.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + August 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: nabanita21
August 3, 2015
You know you make a very important point here….I think we should be thankful for what we have, every thing…At times we keep thinking about the things to be thankful for when everything is just infront of our eyes 🙂
nabanita recently posted… Beards, Sweaters & More… #MondayMusings
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 3, 2015
Very, very true!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + August 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: shilpaagarg
August 3, 2015
Your post has given a lot to chew on. So often we forget the basics and take them for granted, considering that so many people do not have access to even these basics. Thanks for the reminder, Laurel ♥
Shilpa Garg recently posted… Little or Everything #MondayMusings
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 3, 2015
You are most welcome. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + August 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: kohleyedme
August 4, 2015
As my blog tagline says, “❤ ツ ✿ ❤ IT’S THE LIL’ THINGS… ❤ ツ ✿ ❤” Lovely list of gratitude. Small things which we often overlook.
Shalini recently posted… Quote Challenge Day 1 – Be Like a Duck!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 5, 2015
It is indeed! Little things are just as important as the bigger ones – sometimes even more so!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday Break
Twitter: vidyasury
August 29, 2015
Our routine and the things we enjoy on a daily basis are a blessing. There’s not a day I feel grateful for the little things. I love your list, Laurel. I remember when my son was little he used to join his hands and pray….mentioning the fan, the tap, the milk he drank….in his prayer. 🙂
Thank you!
Vidya Sury recently posted… Happiness Happens #Gratitude
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 30, 2015
That is so sweet, Vidya!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 56
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