“I love coming home to my own roll of toilet paper and a tube of toothpaste.”
That’s what William, formerly homeless, said to me when I was working on a pro bono project for a homeless services organization last year. It put gratitude in perspective for me.
When I think of William, I have a greater appreciation of the little things in my life: a safe place to sleep, my own toothbrush, and yes, even toilet paper. I remind myself often that I’m lucky to have that.
It’s easy to take the little things for granted. They are part of the routine. When you reach for them, you are sure they are there. Imagine for a moment, how your life would be different if they weren’t.
Most of us are lucky in so many ways. You don’t have to even own something to enjoy it. Simply passing a garden or seeing a smile from a neighbor can brighten your day. As I rush about my busy life, these moments help me appreciate the comfort and beauty that makes my life immeasurably better.
Take a moment to appreciate the little things that make your life more pleasant, more comfortable, more beautiful. Better yet, write it down in your gratitude journal or write it on a little note, or post it below. When you see what you wrote later, enjoy feeling grateful and let the moment last.