“A grateful heart, is a happy heart”

In the first half of this year, I was blessed to be given a solo part in our company’s virtual choir. The song was Thankful by Josh Groban. The first verse up until the chorus goes like this:
“Somedays, we forget to look around us
Somedays, we can’t see the joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give
So for tonight, we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can’t see
It’s up to us, to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There’s so much to be thankful for”
The first two lines strongly resonated with me. Recently I find myself focusing too much on things that are not sitting well with me that I forget to cherish the good things that are happening around me ready to bless me. Sometimes we are too caught up in worrying about our problems (even ones we can’t control) and forget that it’s only a small part of our lives. At some point, we need to stop and remember that there’s so much more to life that you can be thankful for.
What you focus on grows. So at least for this moment, let’s focus on what’s going great for us and let it grow wild.
Let me share some of the things that I’m grateful for in the last couple of months.
- Job security
I’m one of the blessed who still has work and a stable income, especially during this pandemic. We are allowed to work from home and have flexible working hours.
- Provision for basic necessities
Staying at home for several months now made me appreciate the basic necessities that I have easy access to every day more. Having a house to stay in, a bed to sleep in, good meals throughout the day, being able to pay the bills, and enjoy the basic comforts of a home is a reason for gratitude.
- Little luxuries in life
On top of the basic necessities, I’m still able to afford luxuries that some people don’t have. Recently we upgraded our internet connection, I bought my first bed set, and I am able to get good deals through online shopping. Watching Netflix has also been my go-to anti-stress activity after a long day of work.
- Practice public speaking
During these times, I was given opportunities to practice my public speaking skills online. It’s exciting to have co-hosted a podcast interviewing a yoga practitioner and a preacher. I also facilitated training in e-mail writing for my colleagues at work.
- Fitness goals
Since I started my fitness journey this April, I am proud to announce that I am now 70lbs lighter! My weight loss stalled a bit, so I enrolled in a gym and have been training with my coach for two weeks now. Also, today marks my first week anniversary of getting my first ever massage!
- Safe relationships
Nowadays It’s good to have a company especially if you’re just at home and you’re feeling lonely. I’m thankful for my friends who I can turn to for support when I most need them. Even if we only meet online, our church community really makes an effort to bridge gaps and connect with each other. Having time to spend with my parents is also something I treasure.
- Expression in writing and singing
Letting my emotions out in writing and singing are one of the ways I’ve kept myself sane during the quarantine. I’ve had many opportunities to sing for virtual choirs. Recently, I have been writing to drive content for a social media page.
- God
Everything that I am grateful for is all by the grace of God. If not for Him I wouldn’t even have these things to enjoy. I thank God for meeting me in my quiet moments, for his forgiveness, and for never letting me fall into ruin.
I hope that as we move into another month, your hearts will be filled with gratitude so that your face glows. There’s so much blessing around you, you just need to see them. Believe that a breakthrough is coming. May your eyes shine brighter and your steps spring you up to the skies.
Until next time friend.
Comment below.
What are you grateful for?