Why has our society become so angry, offended, and seemingly bitter? The answer is complicated, I’m sure, but one thing I’ve noticed is that we have forgotten to be grateful. By definition, grateful means being appreciative or thankful. Sure, we set aside a few holidays to talk about being thankful, but our day-to-day lives have become more of an exercise in getting ahead than looking around at what we already have and simply being grateful.

A quick Google search will tell you there is ample scientific evidence that being grateful leads to happiness and contentment. I find it interesting that “science” keeps coming up with evidence to support what the Word of God has been saying for thousands of years. First Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Why is this God’s will? Because our creator knows that “a merry heart is like a medicine,” Proverbs 17:22.

There is one particular moment in my life that has become a gratefulness cornerstone for me. I was living in a small apartment which had a bathroom with no window. Visiting my sister on a warm, sunny day, I entered her bathroom and there was a fresh spring breeze blowing through the window. I don’t know about you, but there are few things I love more than a fresh, warm breeze blowing through an open window. A simple bathroom in a simple house, but it hit me at that moment that, no matter what life throws at us, there will always be days when we can open a window and enjoy a warm breeze.

Here are some simple things I am grateful for today:

1. Heat (We live in Minnesota. It’s cold here!)
2. Warm water (We learned this one when our water heater went out in the middle of winter)
3. Cold cereal (My favorite food. Yes, I know it’s weird)
4. A reliable vehicle
5. A working washer and dryer
6. Sunshine and fresh air
7. Hot chocolate (If I was a “normal” person who liked coffee, I’d put that here)
8. A warm, cozy winter coat (Did you notice how many of these have to do with keeping warm? That’s because it’s still winter and I really like to be warm)
9. A stroller for the baby, so I don’t have to lug her around everywhere
10. My oldest daughter can finally buckle her own car seat. Yay! Now I have only two people to buckle in every time we go somewhere.

What simple things can you be grateful for today?

Maybe you’re still in the apartment with the window-less bathroom. Or perhaps most days it feels like there is not much to be grateful for. Well, in the words of Junior Asparagus: “A thankful heart is a happy heart. I’m glad for what I have, that’s an easy way to start!” Where could you start today? I challenge you to write your own list and post it somewhere you will see it daily. Or you could write each item on a post it note and put them throughout the house so you will see them regularly. We have many inspirational things posted throughout our house to help keep us centered when life is crazy.

Do you have a moment like mine in the open-window bathroom, where you are simply grateful for the little things? I’d like to hear about it! Let’s share our moments of gratefulness to inspire one another!