“There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.”
Recently, I was playing tennis with a friend. It was not going well. I was losing. And not just normal losing, but the type of losing where you hope no one else is watching.
As is typically the case when I don’t win, I was getting frustrated. And when I get frustrated, I look for someone or something to blame (I know, it’s a character flaw). I tried blaming the racket, the balls, staying up too late, and the weather.
Unfortunately, the racket was the same as always, the balls were brand new, the night before ended at 10pm, and the weather was 75 and sunny (thanks Phoenix).
While I was looking for something else to blame (shoes, maybe), a loud roar suddenly emerged from the skies above. I looked up to notice a helicopter overhead. It was big. It was close. And it was loud.
As the helicopter flew directly over me, a passing thought entered my otherwise frustrated mind, “Wow, look at that big helicopter. That machine is one amazing accomplishment.”
Immediately, my mind found permission to stop thinking about tennis. And I began to look around at my surroundings—even if for only a moment.
I noticed a beautiful bird perched high above in a palm tree. I noticed flowers blooming along the fence and green grass all around. I felt a drop of sweat on my eyebrow, warm sunshine on my face, and just enough breeze to make it all perfect.
I looked down and noticed the healthy body allowing me to play. I felt comfortable shoes on my feet and a lightweight racquet in my hand. I looked across the net and saw a good friend, a valued relationship, and someone I would trust through any trial. Amazing things all around me.
The frustration and negativity in my mind began to melt away.
And I was reminded that life often works like this.
Granted, one bad tennis match is a trivial problem to overcome. Some of us are struggling through far more significant problems: illness, loneliness, failure, addiction, or loss (and that’s just a short list).
But sometimes, all we need to change our outlook and attitude is to just look around—to take our eyes off our problems, our frustrations, and our struggle. And instead, notice something amazing.
When we do, even for just a moment, we begin to notice we are surrounded by countless blessings every single day:
- Beautiful flowers & singing birds
- Blue skies & countless stars
- Warm shelter & dry clothing
- Food to eat & coffee to drink
- Amazing art & passionate music
- Trusted friends & loving families
- Laughter & hope & faith
- Or something as beautiful as your next breath
If you feel like you can’t go on, look around and notice the wonder of the world around you. Because when you do, you give your mind permission to stop dwelling on your problems and start finding beauty instead.
Oh sure, stopping to look around probably won’t fix your problem. But it may just give you the strength and hope you need to survive another day.
Related: On Gratitude | The Most Important Two Minutes of Your Life
Jorge Navarro says
I try to remember this everyday. I have been working with special needs children as a profession for the last 8 years. (I wish I could do it for free). Every time there is a “perceived” hiccup in the day at home, it has been getting easier to remind myself of all the blessings. Wonderful marriage, healthy kids who enjoy the outdoors as much as I do, etc.
I agree that there is so much to be found in service to others. I have been involved in coaching paddle boarding to Special Olympic athletes with my wife and daughters over the last year.
To give is to receive.
Amy Pham says
Although I know that only poor craftsman blames his tools, I still occasionally find myself blaming anything but myself whenever things go wrong. I wonder whether there is an easy way to stop this habit?
Kent Julian says
So simple, but so powerful. I love to notice smiles, laughter, and joyful people. Reminds me that life is such a gift.
Gladys says
I agree! When we always focus on negativity, we become negative and oftentimes, we miss all these small but beautiful things that surround us.
JoanDevecchi says
Sorry for my english. It’s not my main language. Anyway:
My parents taught me to be thankful when somebody asked me for a favour, because they have choosed me (it’s in fact an honour to be chosen among so much people!)
I´m very thankful when I have the chance to give (whatever) to other people. And when I can´t give to others I try to give my best to my self ;-)
Jim says
Thank you for writing this post, I was just telling some friends last night, we need to remember that life isn’t just about the mission we begin on each Monday, and accomplish by Friday. We need to stop and enjoy the journey of each week.
I was really refering to my attitude. I will try to remember.
Brooks Palmer says
I like the helicopter story. I’ve had many similar situations happen to me. I think the grace is the opening up that happens in a moment like that. I wasn’t thinking to notice positive things. Suddenly the idea entered my mind, just like it did with your thoughts about the helicopter. My experience was it was grace that granted me the insight and openness rather than my making a conscious choice. Otherwise I would do it all the time.
Toni says
I love this post. I want to thank you and Leo. Since I joined the Minimalist movement, my life is calmer, more organized and I ponder life more. It is a miracle that I changed the radio station that day in February, and heard you two on the Angela Hill show in New Orleans. I just can’t thank you enough. My closets, pantry and even fridge are organized! I eagerly await your every email. And we are all so blessed in this country and don’t even realize it. Sometimes we need to be reminded.
Thank you so much.
Kent Faver says
I react the same way in racquetball and this is one reason why I am moving away from racquetball and into yoga – not to mention it’s better for your joints at 53. It amazes me beyond belief that someone can be on a beautiful golf course and be miserable because their golf game is a little off.
Christy King says
I think even when you are in the midst of a terrible problem, taking the time to “notice something amazing” still helps. On one of the worst days of my life, I was amazed by how incredibly helpful complete strangers were. Not that noticing that resolved my problems or made me “happy,” but it made me less unhappy, and the lesson I learned about goodness is still with me, 15 years later.