On 5 January, Shevy challenged her followers on twitter to write down five things everyday, for a month, that they are grateful for. These are the things I came up with during the past week:

5 January

I am grateful for:

1. My health
2. A husband who loves me still after 12 years of marriage
3. Beautiful children who shower me with love everyday
4.  A warm place to stay (especially during the ice-cold winter months!)
5. The food we have to eat everyday

6 January

I am grateful for:

1. The warm boots and coat I have to wear when I go out in the winter cold
2. Access to the internet with which to communicate with loved ones
3. The nearby well-stocked library
4. My well-behaved children
5. Access to clean drinking water

7 January:

I am grateful for:

1. Finally meeting my brother
2. Living in a city with an efficient public transport system
3. The fresh and juicy fruit I ate this morning
4. Being able to spend time with my family over the weekend
5.  Having had parents who loved me while growing up

8 January

I am grateful for:

1. My ability to walk when I want to
2. Lazy afternoons when I can curl up with a book and read
3. The beauty of a clear, blue sky
4. The happy sound of children’s laughter at play
5. Quiet times during which I can be alone

9 January

I am grateful for:

1. My life in a peaceful country
2. Being able to eat any type of nut I wish
3. Warm, mild winter days
4. The ability to communicate with loved ones by telephone, or via social media networks
5. Waking up pain-free in the morning

10 January

I am grateful for:

1. The friends I have to spend time with
2. My ability to listen to the music of nature, the music created by talented artists, and the music of my children learning their instrument
3. The running water I have in both my kitchen and bathroom
4. The time I have at the end of the day to relax and watch a programme on tv
5. My eyesight and being able to see all that I do everyday

11 January

I am grateful for:

1. The education that my children are receiving
2. The health care system that we have access to
3. The chances I have had to improve my education
4. The experiences I have had travelling to other countries
5. Being able to smell baking bread, and the tantalising scent of a meal that is cooking

Doing this exercise has helped me to realise how many things I have in my life that I am grateful for. Too often we focus on what we do not have, and what we feel we should have. Focusing on what we have, instead, helps us to be more positive about our lives and what we have.

What are some of the things you are grateful for? Will you take up the challenge of writing them down for at least a week?

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2012