When was the last time you thought, I am so thankful for ________? No, really, listen to yourself speak for the next day or so. It’s just one day. Listen to what you speak and, more importantly, what you think. See how many times you say or think, “Man, I’m grateful for _________.”

Having grateful thoughts is usually enough to feel it. You don’t have to go around saying, “I’m so grateful for this fridge” all day. Or “I’m so thankful I have a good car.” No, you can just think that. The point of this is to feel it. And when you feel grateful, it changes everything. When feeling appreciation for (whatever), you can get out of a funk or be a more pleasant person. And it’s so simple.

I can remember constantly feeling thankful for things. I didn’t have much growing up, but I took very good care of what I did have. I watched my father clean his dress shoes for work, taking out the wooden box of shoe polish, brushes, and that soft cloth that buffed his shoes to a glossy finish. I thought it was nice to have nice shoes. So, I began to clean and take care of my shoes. Around 14 or 15, I had a pair of leather boat shoes (I think made by Bass.) I can’t believe I remember the brand name! Anyway, that’s when my care for shoes really began. My father bought me Saddle Soap and Mink Oil, and I cleaned and protected them. The white bottom always looked white.

Then it was the sneakers. My green and white Puma sneakers were always clean. And it’s never stopped. My father gave me my wooden shoe shine kit and I’ve added stuff to it over the years, but I love to take care of my shoes. And do you know why?

Because I appreciate them, I want them to last, and if I take care of them, they take care of me by always looking good.

That’s an example of appreciation, but we can appreciate the air we breathe, the lack of pain anywhere in the body, the sweet perfume your guy got you, anything. It raises the nerve signals in the brain ( nerves work on a higher frequency) and causes a euphoric-like feeling. You now have enough. You are satisfied, and your mind feels good. Seriously.

I’ve been having a time lately. I’m worried about money. I know a lot of people can hear that. I seek a way to earn money writing my writing. Even though I’m not there yet, I still appreciate everything. I think I already have a writing career and am proud of it and the worry fades away.

I am easier on myself because I know it’s only been a short time since I have felt sure and confident of attaining those goals. I had to go through it, to get to the other side.  I had to go back and feel it all to move forward. I was stuck in a terrible loop of self-pity and fear. I am here now, writing these words to show I am not afraid anymore. I am grateful for the opportunity to do this – write these words and be able to share them for others to read.  I have suffered a lot but got help, learned, grew, evolved, and can now be okay with sharing what I know.

It’s easy to complain and blame others; I’ve done that for years. You don’t get anywhere, though. We can only move forward and truly live life when we appreciate what we have. Instead of making cracks in your relationships, create an appreciation for having someone beside you and let go of the little stuff that irritates you. And it could be anyone beside you: a cashier, a boss, and, yes, even a customer service representative.

Feeling grateful will change your life.

Take a moment, think of just one thing you are thankful to have, and feel what it feels like to think that. And guess what? The more you appreciate people, pets, and stuff, the more you get good things going on in your life. Trust me; it will happen like that.

Thank you for reading.

To a life of saying more thank you and less, I wish I had a days,

Francesca