Appreciating the Little Things

PSA: I don't know who these girls are but focus on the message that comes from their happiness.

We all know the feeling of looking back and realising to ourselves that we didn't appreciate something as much as we should've - an experience, a trip, a friend, a relationship, whatever it may be we tend to focus on what will be instead of being in the now and appreciating what we have.

We need to start practising the act of gratefulness - Grateful Living.

I'll share a more personal example:

A few years ago I had something in my life that brought me a lot of happiness. Over time that feeling changed and eventually I let that thing go. I gave it away!

Even though it was the right decision, today, a few years later, I still think about it. I wonder if something as good as that will ever happen again and how I let it pass by under-appreciated.

This serves as an example of what not appreciating something in the moment can do - years later you look back and say to yourself "wow, how did I let that happen?"

With that being said, dwelling on the past is not good as there's no way of changing it - what's done is done and it's a waste of time living in regret. However, in terms of appreciation, we learn a beautiful lesson.

The lesson of living for the now. Remove the comparing, remove the "what if" and remove the "I wish." Focus on those little things right in front of you - gestures, words, kindness, views... One minute we have something very special and the next minute it can vanish. Taking something for granted, later on, teaches us that life is too short for grudges and temper.

We truly don't appreciate things until they're gone. So in this moment, think about what you DO have, instead of what you don't.

Write down what you're grateful for - a sibling, a healthy lifestyle, the beach, safety, freedom of movement, family (some of my examples :))

Focus on the now and don't let the beautiful things slip away.

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Something that I do to practise Grateful Living:

10-10-10 Worksheet (write 10 answers to each question)

1) What are my most exciting desires?

2) What am I most grateful for?

3) What do I love to do?