When it comes to personal finances, and especially trying to get out of debt, we sometimes focus so much on the money, or lack thereof, that we forget to appreciate the little things that are around us. The funny thing is, the reason that we want to get out of debt is so that we can appreciate those little things without the worry of the debt over our heads. I think it’s important to step back sometimes and realize that even with all the stress that comes with trying to dig your way out of debt, there are huge number of things to be thankful for as well. They are around us on a daily basis if we just take a little time to think about it and appreciate them. I am writing this while I eat lunch, and here are 10 things that I was thankful for this morning:
Indoor Toilet
I don’t think that you can ever really appreciate how wonderful an indoor toilet is until you live in a place where they don’t have one. If you think that crawling out from under your covers to walk to the bathroom in your house on a cold morning is terrible, it’s 100 times worse to have to actually walk outside to an outhouse. I know this because I was in such a situation for approximately 3 months while living overseas. Ever since that stint, I have always been extremely thankful for all indoor plumbing each morning when I have to relieve myself.
Food
I still think that it’s a complete disgrace that in a country that is as rich as ours, there are still people who go hungry. There are many more who don’t live in the United States who have no idea when or from where their next meal is going to come. I am extremely thankful that when I get up in the morning, not only do I have food, but I have a variety of choices of what I want to eat. I think it’s important to remember that something that most of us take for granted is not the case for many in the world.
Hot Water
I must admit that one of my everyday splurges is a hot shower. I just really, really like them. The fact that I can have one on a daily basis is something that I am extremely thankful for.
Internet
I make my living on the internet, and being able to do so gives me a lot more freedom than I could have in most other jobs. The internet also give me the ability to have business VOIP. I am basically a digital nomad meaning that I travel full-time. As long as I have an Internet connection, I can work anywhere. This allows me to travel to visit family, friends, and explore many places that I have always wanted to visit. It’s hard for me to imagine a more perfect job, and it would not be possible without the Internet.
Surprises
I love being surprised, and I find these wonders in nature all the time. This morning while I was taking my morning walk, I came across this red tail hawk perched in a tree looking over an open field:
It was a wonderful morning surprise, and I spent a good half hour just watching him. It’s these little unexpected things that happened which alter my daily routine that makes me look forward to each and every day.
Central Heat
I lived for over 10 years in Japan in houses that didn’t have central heat. Hearing the furnace kicked on in the early morning, and knowing that when I crawl out from under the covers the house will already be warmed is a wonderful feeling. Sitting up late at night working on the computer comfortably, instead of huddling next to a small space heater is a wonderful feeling. For anyone who has had to live in a house without central air or central heat, they can probably tell you how wonderful it is when they have it.
Sunshine
This morning when I went out on my daily walk, the air was crisp and cold, but the sun was out shining brightly. There’s something wonderful about a sunny day in all its brightness. It’s such a wonderful feeling when the warmth of the sun’s rays breaks through the crisp coldness of the day. At one point, I stopped and turned my face directly to the sun and just stood there with my eyes close feeling the warmth of the rays hit my face. It was an amazing feeling.
Chance Meetings
As I was looking at and taking photos of the red tail hawk, parents with their children came strolling by. I would stop them and point toward the red tail hawk so that they could see it. One of the little boys that stop was quite curious and asked me a lot of questions about the bird, many of which I could answer, but also a lot that I couldn’t. As he was leaving, he thanked me for telling him what I did know about the hawk, but also said in the cutest voice that I really needed to study up a bit more so that I could answer questions that children had. I couldn’t help but smile at his earnestness, and I put learning more about red tail hawks down on my list of things to do. It was a wonderful chance meeting to have.
Overall Good Health
overall, I’m in relatively good health. I am able to do most of the things that I want to, and I can live a fairly active lifestyle. I think I appreciate this even more these days because I recently had a friend diagnosed with chronic heart failure. Her heart is currently only working about 20 to 30% of normal. Many of the things that she could once do she is no longer able to, and I know that this is something that could happen to any of us at any time. That gives me just that much more appreciation when I am able to take my daily walks and hikes.
Life
If you think about it, each and every one of us has already won the lottery. The mere fact that we exist is extraordinarily lucky. The fact that we were born where we are makes it that much more so. Just the chance to participate in this extraordinary existence is a pretty amazing thing, and something that I’m very thankful for on a daily basis.
I’m sure that the list that you would create about what you are thankful for would be different from the one that I just listed, but I’m certain that you also have a “being thankful” list within you, whether you have thought about it much recently or not. I hope that you remember to take a few minutes each day to remember all those little things you are thankful for, and remember that they exist no matter what your financial situation.
