10 Things I’m Grateful for Today

From the pandemic to politics, 2020 has produced no shortage of worrisome news to keep us awake at night. 

Scrolling through our social media feeds, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily barrage of negativity and angst-inducing headlines. Even if it’s just trying to balance WFH with our daily routines, life is throwing all sorts of new stress in our direction.

A few weeks back, I shared some tips I’ve found helpful for keeping my personal and professional well-being in check during COVID-19. One of them — writing a nightly list of things I was grateful for — is a simple way to counteract the bad with the good.

So, to give you a glimpse into my life these days, here are the top 10 things I’m grateful for at this moment:

1) Laughter. It is the best medicine, after all. Apart from the endorphin release, being able to laugh in the face of adversity shows resilience, balance and humility. 

2) After-dinner discussion with my family. It’s important to be transparent, especially on difficult topics like politics, racism, the current health crisis and human decency. Sharing our thoughts openly helps us see multiple points of view.

3) Fresh cut Flowers. Flowers do more than just brighten your room — they can have an uplifting, brightening effect on your mood too. Research has shown that the impact can last for days, proving much more powerful than a bar of chocolate. This is linked to their color and smell, but even the act of giving or receiving flowers can produce similar vibes.

4) Puppy kisses! Our new puppy provides so much joy. We love him, and he makes us laugh. Watching him learn and grow is incredible.

5) Smiles through face masks. You can 100% tell when someone is smiling. According to one body language expert, “With true happiness, we see it with the wrinkles on the side of our eyes.”

6) The gentle touch of a nurse. They are the heroes!

7) Hand-me-down clothes. Save the environment. Donate, reduce, reuse, recycle!

8) A good friend’s voicemail. Hearing someone’s voice is special, and I love it when you can hear the empathy or smile on the other end of the phone. It just makes you happy when someone you care for leaves you a nice voicemail.

9) Double rainbow after the storm. Remember the excitement and pure joy of the viral “double rainbow” guy? “What does it all mean?” he asks. For me, it’s a beautiful reminder of the powerful calm that often follows a rough time in our lives.

10) Uber Eats / Seamless. Such a huge help. Takeout has been fantastic! We are able to support the restaurants we enjoy. 

* * *

What’s on your list?

I’d love to hear what you’re grateful for today. Feel free to share a few thoughts in the comments below.