100 Reasons to Be Thankful, Even in Hard Times

 

Back in 2009, in the midst of the Great Recession (which, in some ways, now feels like the good old days), I asked people what they were thankful for even in hard times and shared it on Catholic Exchange, where I worked at the time. Thank you to all of those who originally contributed to the list. I’ve decided to update it a bit for this year.

I am thankful for . . .

1. The health of my family.
2. Taking naps.
3. Driving the scenic route.
4. Community events open to the public.
5. My (flawed) relationships with God and my family, both immediate and extended. Flawed relationships are much better than none at all!
6. My wife and I have grown together, and I am constantly grateful and impressed as she matures.
7. The Word of God.
8. Brief and productive meetings.
9. Quilts and blankets, to keep me warm.
10. My wonderful family and for my best friend, who has always been there with quiet support, encouragement, and words of wisdom, through thick and thin, since the day we met.
11. The incredible diversity of people on this planet.
12. Co-workers who don’t mind switching their days off to help you out.
13. Toys.
14. Dirty dishes because it means we have eaten. Thank you for baby giggles; they keep me sane.
15. That God made me.
16. Teddy bears.
17. The feel of a child’s hand in mine.
18. Waking up when you need to, even when the alarm doesn’t go off.
19. Babies.
20. The day being silent now that it’s over for the little ones.
21. Libraries.
22. The convenience of e-mail.
23. Wrinkle-free clothing.
24. Christmas lights.
25. Friends who care about me enough to tell me when I am being stupid.
26. Our Veterans.
27. Books, because I can experience the world, learn new things, laugh, cry, and connect without ever leaving my couch.
28. My job, especially in this economy.
29. Religious leaders.
30. Volunteers.
31. A cup of hot cocoa on a cold day.
32. Family and friends; love them all!
33. The smell of homemade desserts baking in the oven.
34. Listening to beautiful music.
35. Friends meeting over a cup of tea; a fire in the hearth; a friendly game of Scrabble.
36. My kids, who can always make me laugh.
37. Being friends with my parents.
38. Every member of my family, especially my mom, who is a constant source of support, encouragement, and friendship.
39. Enjoyable conversation between friends.
40. Hugs.
41. Having health insurance
42. My health, even if I complain about certain aches and pains!
43. My family, my fiancé, and being able to go to college.
44. Having a roof over my head.
45. Finding a dollar in an old coat you haven’t worn in years.
46. Enjoyable hobbies and pursuits in life.
47. The forgiveness of God.
48. Schools and colleges.
49. Online dictionaries.
50. Repairing an object yourself and having it come out perfectly.
51. Hot showers after a hard day of work to ease away the stress of the day.
52. The express line at the grocery store.
53. The generosity of strangers.
54. Being able to watch your favorite TV shows and movies whenever you want.
55. Tossed aside treasures at tag sales or wherever they may be found.
56. Duct-Tape!
57. Good role models we can point to for children to aspire to emulate.
58. Indoor plumbing.
59. Date nights.
60. Inspiring words that lift our souls in times of crisis.
61. Youth and amateur sports leagues to both watch and play in.
62. People who obey traffic regulations.
63. The trials and losses in my life, for they have helped me become a stronger and better person!
64. Our favorite instructors and teachers.
65. People who enjoy reading what we write.
66. Chocolate.
67. Hidden places that you can sneak away to.
68. Health care workers.
69. GPS services on my phone.
70. Lucky old coins and favorite treasures, both precious and humble.
71. The spring that will come after the winter.
72. All those who came before us, great and small, have a story to tell. That
    is what history is all about. So, I am thankful to be able to know and learn
    their story.
73. Local newspapers.
74. People with interesting personalities who make the world better or, at
    the very least, more interesting.
75. Brothers and sisters.
76. Various software and apps that make life easier.
77. Sitting in an open field on a crystal-clear night and enjoying the
    celestial display above.
78. Our furry four-legged friends who have chosen to live their lives with us.
79. Health care workers.
80. Sunrises, sunsets, ocean waves, hidden forests, mossy rocks, mountain
    streams, and all the other wonders of nature.
81. Our Guardian Angels who stay with us even when we try to refuse their help.
82. A child’s laughter.
83. The wisdom of elders.
84. Works of art.
85. Those perfect parking places, which sometimes we are lucky enough to get.
86. The creative minds of others and what they share with us all.
87. Photos, for capturing a moment in time.
88. Relaxing periods of quiet during a busy day.
89. Food banks and pantries, and those who work at them.
90. Bookmarks
91. Museums.
92. Social media (sometimes).
93. Sweaters, hats, scarves, and gloves.
94. The ability to look anything up on our phones.
95. Good listeners.
96. Parks.
97. Handwritten letters.
98. Bread, the universal side to any meal.
99. Sales at the grocery store.
100. People who commit their lives to protecting and preserving our cities, states, and country.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

If you are interested in reading more about gratitude for simple things, please check out 40 Days of Gratitude: Finding Joy Through Giving Thanks. (Amazon affiliate link)

Image from: https://pixabay.com/photos/fall-autumn-october-orange-2141847/