Is it just me or are we as a society forgetting to take the time to be thankful?

Sometimes I wake up for my dreaded 8 a.m. already fueled with agitation due to my obnoxious alarm blaring in my ear, probably waking up the entire hall. I think about what I have to get done, how much I plan to run in the afternoon and about the homework I don’t want to do. To call myself out, sometimes I can be incredibly negative. Aren’t we all sometimes? 

I sluggishly walk to get ready, already having resentment for my day, not even giving it a chance to be something positive, failing to think about the big picture.

Somewhere in a country different from mine, there’s a 19-year-old girl who is more passionate and creative than me. That has more intelligence, drive and talent.

The difference is she will never get the chance to prove herself, and she will never get opportunities many of us take for granted, such as being able to get an education or even the simple task of eating three meals a day.

When did we forget to take a step back from the noise of social media and society? Let’s remind ourselves that the chances we were even born with are immensely slim. 

When did we forget to cherish the little moments that make life meaningful, like a hug or a smile from across the room when you recognize someone important to you? 

I ask these questions not to make people feel horrible about themselves, because in hindsight, we are allowed to feel sluggish and negative, but I ask them to help others consider a change in mindset. 

During times of negativity, I try to change my mindset from ‘I have to’ to ‘I get to.’ I find that when I do that, my outlook on life itself becomes more positive and fulfilling. 

Instead of saying I have to go to class, I shift my mindset so I get to wake up each morning and receive an education some people would kill for. I get to walk to classes, get exercise and spend time with friends during meals or hangouts. 

It may sound bizarre, but even during times of turmoil, the negative events in our lives can be a reason to be appreciative.

One Wednesday, I was walking across campus with a friend. The wind gusts were particularly strong, so strong that they seemed to push me around. My umbrella completely flipped, I was laughing due to embarrassment and my shoes were drenched.

I could have sulked and given up on the day, but instead, I changed my perspective to remind myself how lucky I should feel for a chance to experience a silly moment with a friend, and the fact that the rain would cool everything down.

Coincidentally, during our walk, I saw a wonderful friend of mine, and thought to myself that if my umbrella hadn’t flipped, I wouldn’t have taken the extra time to fix it, meaning I could have missed out on the opportunity to connect with a familiar face.

I think about times I was perhaps stressed during an assignment, and I thought to myself, ‘What a privilege it is to be able to feel stress.’ It means I am working hard, it means I am making mistakes and learning from them. It means I get to challenge myself, push the limits and make myself proud. Something many individuals don’t get to experience.

I am human, I make mistakes and sometimes I can have an ungrateful mindset. However, I try to be more mindful of the things I have and realize that my own existence and life are something to be in awe of.

I urge you to take a step back from the societal noise. Wake up and think of 3 things you are grateful for. Take a moment to appreciate the food you eat, and the friends that support you on your worst days. 

Call your parents and siblings because you have them. Realize that perhaps you couldn’t have gotten to where you are without them. Move your body because you can, laugh when you make mistakes and fix them, feel all your emotions because you are allowed to and be joyful to see another day.

Never take a hug for granted, because you wouldn’t believe the vast amount of people wishing they could hug the ones they love for a final time. It may seem mundane, but human connection will always be a gift.

There’s someone going home without the chance to hug their mom or dad. There’s a boy looking at athletes, wishing he had the chance to afford a soccer ball. 

There’s a mother hoping she can give her daughter a better life, one where she can have any profession she desires. 

Don’t waste your time thinking nothing is going right for you. You woke up today, that’s something to be thankful for. Because I promise you, everyone has trifling days, but we can still remain appreciative to just have another chance to live.