Do you ever have one of those days when you wish something like this:
You are walking down the street, just whistling a little tune. And all of a sudden, when you least expect it, you kick a discarded can on the sidewalk. Lo and Behold. Out pops a giant genie. She says to you, all adorned in pinks and purples.
“Thank you for releasing me from that can. To show you my gratitude, I shall grant you three wishes. Anything you want.”
And away we go.
Because, of course, the third wish would be “A thousand more wishes.”
But wait. There’s more.
Do we really need wishes when there is so much around us already?
Recognizing and being thankful for our good fortune is an essential practice in life, I think. It allows us to cultivate a sense of gratitude in our lives.
Often, we become so focused on what we lack or the challenges we face that we overlook the simple joys and privileges we already possess.
By taking a moment to reflect on the good things—whether it’s our health, the support of loved ones, or the beauty of everyday moments—we shift our perspective from scarcity to abundance. We see that beautiful cup of coffee that we get to drink. That we even are able to drink. We see the socks on our feet. It is a gift that we can afford socks. That we even have feet.
Being thankful helps us to appreciate not only the big milestones but also the small, often overlooked abundancies of life. This practice fosters a deeper sense of contentment. It gives us a more positive and grounded outlook on life.
So. Do we kick the can?
Or give thanks that we can bend over, pick it up, and put it in the recycling bin?
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“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero
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“The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for.” – Norman Vincent Peale
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“Give thanks for a little, and you will find a lot.” – Hausa Proverb
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“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Aesop
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“Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.” – Aesop
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Kick the can? Or say, “Thank you very much.”
