EXPRESS IT: Important things to appreciate about life.

This week let’s take time to reflect.

We all have goals and ambitions we want to cross off of our bucket list, but happiness does not just come from groundbreaking, life-changing events. As the School of Life explains, it is important to focus on small pleasures as we work toward greater goals.

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”

How often do you pause to appreciate what you have in life?

When I was young, I took things for granted. I believe many other kids did so, as well. After all, we were young and we didn’t know what life could be like on the other side. Now as adults, being responsible for everything is not easy. Those days, I used to feel my parents have not done enough, but now I just appreciate the little things that make a difference.

Another things we took for granted was education. In this part of the world, it is compulsory for all kids to go to school, so it was given. We never thought about how lucky we were to be educated. I can remember when I was in SS3, I used to lie that I was sick when I miss school. Why? I just felt we kept repeating the same things. I didn’t appreciate what I had.

We also took our teachers for granted. We never thought about how lucky we were to have teachers who cared for our growth so much, and poured their heart and soul into their lessons.

Well, slowly as I grew up, I began to appreciate things around me more. As I saw more and more of the world out there, I realized all the things I had been given are not rights, but privileges.

Same as you, it is a privilege to be you, to be at that stage and position you are right now.

James 1:17,Every good and perfect gift  is from above, coming from the father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. And also 1 Thessalonians 5:18  ; Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I realized that being literate is a not a right, but a gift. I realized there is a lot of war and violence in the world, and we are blessed not lucky to live in a country where it is safe and peaceful. There are people out there who don’t have their five senses, and to have ours is a gift.

The world is so beautiful, and we are lucky to live in such an amazing world.

Basically, we take our good health for granted, we complain about our kind of job, meanwhile some are jobless, and some are on their sick bed, seeking for donation. 

Sometimes, it is easy to feel bad because you are going through a tough time in life.

However, remember that no matter how bad your situation may seem, there are tens of thousands of things to be grateful for in life.

Hebrews 12:28: Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,

 If not all listed below will apply to you, but I am as sure as you read this list, you will think of many more things to be grateful for. Make sure to add yours in the comments box below. I would love to read them.

Important things to appreciate about life:

• Our ever faithful GOD - For his Love, watch and grace over our lives.
• Your parents – for giving birth to you. Because if there is no them, there will not be you.
• Your family – for being your closest kin in the world.
•  Your friends – for being your companions in life.
•  Our Sense Organs;

- The Eyes: for letting you see the colors of life.

-The  Ear: for letting you hear trickle of rain, the voices of your loved ones, and the harmonious chords of music.

-The Skin : for letting you feel the texture of your clothes, the breeze of the wind, the hands of your loved ones.

- The Nose: for letting you smell scented candles, perfumes, and beautiful flowers in your garden.

- The Tongue : for letting you savor the sweetness of fruits, the saltiness of seawater, the sourness of pickles, the bitterness of bitter gourd, and the spiciness of chili.

• Your Mouth – for giving you the outlet to express yourself.
• Your heart – for pumping blood to all the parts of your body every second since you were born; for giving you the ability to feel.
• Your lungs – for letting you breathe so you can live.
• Your immune system – for fighting viruses that enter your body. For keeping you in the pink of your health so you can do the things you love.
• Your hands – so you can type on your computer and your phone, replying your chats on whatsapp, instagram, tweeter, take a selfie , (Lol ) flip the pages of books, and hold the hands of your loved ones.
• Your legs – for letting you walk, run, swim, play the sports you love, and curl up in the comfort of your seat.
•  Your mind – for the ability to think, to store memories, and to create new solutions.
•   Your good health – for enabling you to do what you want to do and for what you’re about to do in the future.
•   Your school – for providing an environment conducive to learning and growing.
•  Your teachers – for their dedication and for passing down knowledge to you.
•  Tears – for helping you express your deepest emotions.
•  Disappointment – so you know the things that matter to you most.
•  Fears – so you know your opportunities for growth.
• Pain – for you to become a stronger person.
• Sadness – for you to appreciate the spectrum of human emotions.
• Happiness – for you to soak in the beauty of life.
• The Sun, Sunset, Moon and Stars, Sunrise, Rain, Snow, Rainbows, Oxygen – for bringing in light and beauty to this world, for a beautiful sight to end the day, for brightening up our night sky, for a beautiful sight to start the morning,  for cooling you when it gets too warm and for making it comfy to sleep in on weekends, for making winter even more beautiful,  for a beautiful sight to look forward to after rain,  for making life possible.
•  The earth – for creating the environment for life to begin.
•  Animals – for adding to the diversity of life.
•  Internet – for connecting you and others despite the physical space between you.
• Transport – for making it easier to commute from one place to another.
• Mobile phones – for making it easy to stay in touch with others.
• Computers – for making our lives more effective and efficient.
• Technology – for making impossible things possible.
•  Movies – for providing a source of entertainment.
•  Books – for adding wisdom into your life.
•  Blogs – for connecting you with other like-minded people.
•  Shoes – for protecting your feet when you are out.
• Time – for a system to organize yourself and keep track of activities.
• Your job – for giving you a source of living and for being a medium where you can add value to the world.
• Music – for lifting your spirits when you’re down and for filling your life with more love.
• Your bed – for you to sleep comfortably in every night.
•  Your home – for a place you can call home.
•  Your soul mate – for being the one who understands everything you’re going through.
•  Your best friends – for being there for you whenever you need them.
•  Your enemies – for helping you uncover your blind spots so you can become a better person.
•   Kind strangers – for brightening up your days when you least expect it.
•  Your mistakes – for helping you to improve and become better.
•   Heartbreaks – for helping you mature and become a better person.
•   Laughter – for serenading your life with joy.
•   Love – for letting you feel what it means to truly be alive.
•   Life’s challenges – for helping you grow and become who you are.
•  Life – for giving you the chance to experience all that you’re experiencing, and will be experiencing in time to come.

And last but not least…

YOU… for being who you are and touching the world with your presence.

Psalm 118:1-18 : Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.

Yaaayiii Peace

Kore