Gratitude.

Often forgotten in our western world. Amidst the rapid pace of life and sufferance of first world problems (like wi-fi continuously dropping out or forgetting to make ice cubes – the struggles are real) it’s easy to overlook the multitude of blessings that most of us take for granted.

When I’m overwhelmed or exhausted, I rarely stop and count my (for lack of a less spiritual word) ‘blessings’.

I sense that I’m not alone.

How many times have we heard friends with closets full of clothes complain that they have”nothing” to wear. Oh the hardship of outfit repetition. I for one am grateful that for me this is a non-issue.

Don’t get me wrong, power outages are frustrating and slow download speeds are tedious. Could we reframe such occurences though? Perhaps it’s the universe requesting we step away from the computer or make a simple dinner of banana and peanut butter, instead of something requiring electricity. Well if you insist universe, come to mamma PB.

Gratitude comes from seeing the good amongst the not so good, the blessings in the would-be disasters.

I’m not preaching. I still get irritated when I’m trying to read a book and someone tries to talk to me, even when I should be grateful for the opportunity for social interaction.

I still prefer to go jogging when the beach is quieter, even if it is wonderful that so many of my neighbours are enjoying their coastal  environment. But seriously, quiet jogs are my preference! Then I can pretend I’m being interviewed my Oprah without my neighbours thinking ‘oh Lord, our local pixie is talking to herself again’. No fools, I’m talking to would-be Oprah. There’s a difference.

I am unapologetically human, though do make the effort to find silver linings amidst perceived inconveniences. Unless a loved one dies. Surely there’s some universal clause that excuses humans from being joyful when their favourite humans leave earth. It’s only fair, right?

For my eighteenth birthday a few months ago, I was gifted a gratitude journal. This in itself was a #gratitudejournalmoment. I’ve been meaning to start one for yonks, but had never made it a priority.

Even on days that don’t seem particularly remarkable, I can easily find at least three things to smile about – even if it’s just that my morning smoothie was particularly delicious or that I took an astonishingly satisfying dump upon waking. Always good times.

I challenge you to find more ways to acknowledge the #gratitudejournalmoments in your own life. They don’t have to be significant. Humble grooves that makes your day a little brighter or an appreciation for something that you don’t have and don’t want. Take it from someone who’s survived autoimmune hepatitis, any day your liver function is, um, functional, is a glorious day indeed!

If ever you feel annoyed or disappointed, try to find an alternate way to perceive the situation. Like if you hit your funny bone on the edge of a door frame. I get angry just thinking about such an occurrence.

Embrace your inner goober and perform an ‘anger dance’. The movement will distract your from the pain and when it subsides, hindsight will allow you to chuckle at how ridiculous you looked jumping around the place, trying not to drop too many F bombs. Emphasis on the word trying.

Gratitude is a state of mind. Acknowledging the happy memories, feelings, people, moments, plants, animals, environments and objects that are (or were) in your life, whilst appreciating the misfortunes that are not currently disrupting your world.

Feeling giddy with warm fuzzies? Use #gratitudejournalmoment on social media and spread the Pollyanna vibes. Bonus points apply to those who refrain from using a cliched caption.