Things to Be Thankful of this 2014

Rebecca Lewis December 12, 2014

Time flies so fast. It’s hard to believe that we’re now on the last three weeks of 2014! You probably are excited about Christmas, the Boxing Day, and the New Year’s celebration. Who wouldn’t? These are the merriest, happiest times of the year.

But apart from preparing for the holidays, there is another important thing you should be doing before the year ends. As another year passes by, we must look back on our journey, reflect and contemplate. They say past is past, and that we shouldn’t be bringing it back. But there are experiences that are worth remembering over and over again.

Reflecting on these experiences is a therapeutic practice that helps us grow and transform.

So what are the things to be thankful for this 2014? You probably have plenty. But here are some things that are really worth remembering:

Your Personal Achievements

Look back on your personal successes. Whether it’s professionally, spiritually or emotionally – achievements are worth celebrating. Maybe you have received a promotion at work, you’ve become more committed to exercising, or you have spent more time with your family this year – these are personal achievements that you should really be thankful of.

Your Mistakes and Failures

You probably don’t expect these here. But yes, mistakes and failures are some things to be thankful of. Failures are opportunities taken through the hard way. The only time failure becomes a failure when you failed to learn from the experience. Going back to those experiences can be difficult and painful. But our trials can be our greatest teachers. You just have to sit and listen, and allow yourself to uncover the learnings.

Challenges

Same with mistakes and failures, challenges are also something to be thankful of. Why? Because they make us tougher, stronger and wiser. Simply put, they make us a better person. There is probably one or two major challenges you have faced this year. What were the lessons you learned? How did it impact your life? In what ways did it make you a better person?

New & Old Friends

No man is an island, so they say. It is really a must to be thankful of the people who have made significant contributions to our lives, and those who have inspired us in many different ways. Think about the people who encouraged you, lend you a hand, believed in you, forgiven you, and made you feel a better person. Acknowledge them. Call or meet with them and say your deepest thanks.

The Beauty of Nature

You’ve probably gone through some new places this year, stepped on the finest white-sand beaches, climbed a few of the world’s highest mountains, and swam through the freshest, clearest waters and explored the majestic creatures in the deep blue. Interacting with nature is one of the greatest experiences. And if you had the chance to interact with nature and explore its beauty this year, be proud of yourself. It is an accomplishment. If you have been very busy with work that you didn’t get the opportunity to do it, make a promise to yourself that next year, you will.

The year-end is really a time to celebrate and most of all – give thanks. There are probably a few bad times, but surely, there are plenty of good times. You just have to notice them. And when you do, be amazed of how it can make you feel happier and more inspired to live the year 2015 to the fullest!