Important to give thanks all year round

Exercise doesn’t need to be limited to November

Every November, I see these challenges pop up that encourage people to be publicly thankful for the blessings in their lives, usually as a social media daily challenge.

I love the concept, because I think such an exercise helps us be more aware of the positives in our lives, particularly the things we might take for granted or overlook.

But I’m not convinced it needs to be done in a public setting such as social media, nor should it be limited to one month.

There’s something to be said for doing such an exercise at dinner with the family, or when putting the kids to bed as part of a nighttime routine. Imagine ending the day on a positive note. Naming one thing that one feels thankful for right at bedtime certainly gives a child something happy to think about as he or she drifts off to sleep.

I try to be appreciative of the moments both big and small in life, but while I might think about it, I may not always voice the sentiment.

I’m especially aware of it now after a year that was filled with health challenges for members of my family, including a cancer diagnosis for one and a scary car accident that badly injured another. The two incidents happened within days of each other, yet here we are in November, and both are healthy and healed.

Their situations were a vivid reality check to me to be appreciative and thankful, and to speak up. Life can be fleeting, and situations can pivot from happy to tragic without warning.

So my goal this year has been to speak up and recognize the positives as soon as they unfold. I’m thankful for the big items: both my immediate family and my extended family are healthy, loving, supportive and amazing.

But I’m also thankful for the small stuff, like the fact that my daughter still lets us go trick or treating in family costumes with her, that our cat jumps up in bed to wake my daughter up for school every day, and that my husband makes me breakfast every morning.

Those moments make the day shine, and I’m appreciative of every one of them and more, not just in November, but all year long.

What are you thankful for Yuma, and how do you express that appreciation? Share your thoughts online at www.YumaSun.com, or send us a Letter to the Editor at letters@yumasun.com.