The Gratitude List

by Raymund Tamayo

There is this simple habit I practice that turns my tough situations into something lighter. It's the habit of being grateful.

It's quite a simple habit that we tend to forget to practice. But when we do, it changes our perspective, and along with it our life.

There were times when I feel inadequate. I feel less of myself, I feel like I've accomplished nothing with my life. I feel insecure about the future, like I don't have the ability to provide for my family's needs and wants. I was feeling a bit depressed, actually.

What do I do to fight those kinds of feelings? I make a gratitude list. 

The Gratitude List

A gratitude list is a mental list of things I am thankful of. Right there at the moment.

In fact, I just did it as I rode to work this morning. It was a long list in my mind, though here are some of them I remember:

• I'm married to a beautiful, loving, supportive, and respectful wife.
• I have two wonderful kids who get me and who love to spend time with me (not all parents can say that).
• I have a job.
• I'm relatively healthy. Although I'm diabetic, I feel healthier than I thought I'd be.
• I have loving parents and siblings who care about me no matter what.
• I live on a tropical country where it's not too cold, and when it's hot you could easily cool yourself off by fanning yourself or going outdoors.
• I have a LEGO room.
• I have several guitars.
• I have a motorcycle.
• I am alive.
• I can taste delicious food, hear music, appreciate art, and smell essential oils. What miracles!
• I have real friends.
• I can run.
• I can love, and I am loved.
• I can read books.
• I am not starving and homeless.
• I am not alone, and will never be alone, for God is always with me.

The actual list was perhaps three or four times longer than that, but you get the point. With that list in mind, what's really important, the things I usually take for granted, comes up right in front of me. 

A Remarkable Change in Perspective

The bad things I was feeling were not completely gone, but everything was put in a different perspective. 

With gratitude, I realize that bad situations still has purpose, and God is always in control. He makes all things beautiful in His time and He makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

I know there are bad things in my life right now as consequences of the bad decisions I've made before, and I've realized it's okay to feel bad about them. But I also realize there is still hope and I still have to live the rest of my life, and I have to learn from those past mistakes and become a better person overall.

The change in perspective that happens every time I make a Gratitude List is remarkable. It changes my whole life, really. It gives me confidence, drive, and a lot of hope to push forward in life.

I recommend you practice this simple habit as well. It takes only a few minutes, and you don't even have to write them down. Just make the list in your mind, and notice if there would be any change.

Don't hurry the process and don't do it thoughtlessly. Do it intentionally and really be thankful about the things in your list. 

I hope and pray everything will be better for you, my friend. By God's grace, I know it will.