3 Items I am Thankful For
Gratitude
Gratitude. Gratitude. Gratitude.
There is so much written about practising gratitude and the positive effects it has on mental well-being out there. You know the drill - express appreciation to people around you, be thankful for the gifts you receive and be grateful to every comfort you enjoy. See things, people and events through the lens of gratitude and keep a gratitude journal. Say thank you to people, say thank you to Creator, say thank you to nature.
However, we are seldom thankful for our things. We overlook the items in our possession which has served us for many, many years. We take it for granted that they are always there, ready to be used when we need them. Like the washed-till-thread-bare pyjamas t-shirt which is oh-so-comfortable or the favourite pen that you always reach for or the trusty sunglasses which perches just right on your nose bridge.
When was the last time you put on your favourite pair of pyjamas and are fully aware of how it feels on your skin? Did you notice the familiar fit and softness of the fabric?
Did you recently appreciate how smooth your favourite pen writes and how it feels in your grip?
Or be thankful for the comfortable pair of sunglasses that provided you with shade from the sun’s glare?
We don’t realise it, but our things provide us with many comforts during the day. Imagine wearing pyjamas that chafes the skin! Or writing with pens that runs out of ink halfway! These little inconveniences and discomforts will very quickly add to our frustrations and annoyance.
Let’s take a few seconds to be thankful for all the things we own. They are ours and in our homes because we decided to bring them into our possession (by buying or receiving them). Being mindful of our belongings and appreciating them will fundamentally change our relationship with the items. We will start to treat the items with more care and they will last longer. Being mindful of our belongings means not tossing pens onto surfaces out of convenience, not leaving books in dark cupboards to gather dust bunnies or mould. Being mindful of our belongings means not chucking a picnic mat into the storeroom and forgetting about its existence.
If you had to choose 3 items you are thankful for today, what would be the 3 items?
My 3 Items
My three items are my pen, my socks and my watch.
I have been using the same model of a pen since I was 14 when it was first launched in the market. I like the 0.38mm ultrafine tip which writes very smoothly and makes my handwriting looks neater. I remember it was the finest tip in the market then. Pens were usually 0.5mm or 0.7mm back then. It is the default pen I reach for whenever I need to write something (granted, which isn’t very often nowadays).
My favourite pen
My second item is my mismatched socks. It used to be navy blue but one side is now brown. One side turned brown when I accidentally left it in the washing machine one day and put in a load with bleach. Never knew navy blue turns brown when bleached! Each time I pick up my mismatched socks, I remember the amusement at fishing out the “ruined” sock from the washing machine. I love these socks because they are so comfortable. The 100% cotton socks are seamless which means there are no thread knots to irritate my toes. This pair of non-show sock is very well-designed and does not slip from the foot. I have worn enough bad socks to know that not all socks are equal. Good socks are hard to come by!
I love these socks!
My third item is my watch which I have been wearing for 8 years. In the age of digital watches, analogue watches are getting rarer. I still have not seen the need for a smart watch. I like the colour and the design of my watch. It sparks joy each time I put it on. Put on something that sparks joy for you daily and be thankful for their presence in your life.
My trusty watch
Which of your belongings truly spark joy in you? What are the three items you are thankful for today?