2974: 8 Things You Forgot to Be Grateful For by Marc Chernoff - Thanksgiving Ideas

[00:00:00] This is Optimal Living Daily Episode 2974 8 Things You Forgot to Be Grateful For by Marc Chernoff of Marcandangel.com Inamnirator Justin Malik, the guy that reads blogs or articles to you every single day of the year including weekends and holidays.

[00:00:17] Speaking of holidays, Thanksgiving is right around the corner so this one today should be nice and fitting. So with that let's get right to it as we optimize your life. 8 Things You Forgot to Be Grateful For by Marc Chernoff of Marcandangel.com Quote,

[00:00:39] Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not. Remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for. Epicurus Sometimes Angel and I get so caught up pursuing the next big thing that we forget to pause

[00:00:55] and appreciate the things we have and the things we've experienced, learned and achieved along the way. In other words, we forget to give thanks continuously for all things. Since every step we have taken has led us right to where we are and all things have

[00:01:12] contributed to our development, when we finally do pause to give thanks we try to include all things in our gratitude. So that's what I want to reflect on today. A few quick reminders about some things you too likely forget to be grateful for. Number 1

[00:01:28] The Unique Privilege of Being You You are one of a kind. You're lucky enough to have something that makes you different from everyone else. Embrace your individuality. Self-worth comes from one thing, thinking that you're worthy. So appreciate what it feels like underneath your own skin.

[00:01:49] You're amazing just the way you are. Too many days are wasted comparing ourselves to others and wishing to be someone or something we aren't. Every one of us has our own strengths and weaknesses, and it is only when you accept everything

[00:02:01] you are and aren't that you will truly find the happiness and fulfillment you seek. Number 2 Every Single Experience That Led You To Today Life isn't about a single moment of great triumph and attainment. It's about the trials and errors that get you there. The blood, sweat and tears.

[00:02:21] The small, inconsequential things you do every day. It all matters in the end. Every step. Every regret. Every decision. And every affliction. The seemingly useless happenings add up to something. The minimum wage job you had in high school.

[00:02:38] The evenings you spent socializing with co-workers you never see anymore. The hours you spent writing thoughts on a personal blog that no one reads. It all matters about elaborate future plans that never came to be.

[00:02:51] All those lonely nights spent reading novels and news columns and comic strips and fashion magazines and questioning your own principles on life and religion and whether or not you're good enough just the way you are. All of this has strengthened you.

[00:03:07] All of this has led you to every success you've ever had. All of this has made you who you are today. Number three, what your daily struggles are teaching you. Challenges are what make life interesting. Working to overcome them is what gives life meaning.

[00:03:26] Failure and struggles keep you humble. Success and achievement keep you glowing, but only faith and determination keeps you going. So stay focused and celebrate your efforts too, not just your outcomes. Remember that the opposite of failing is not succeeding, the opposite of failing is trying.

[00:03:44] Your daily efforts are what make it all possible. Appreciate what they teach you, even when they don't lead you to an ideal outcome. Number four, the gift of now. In between all your goals, priorities, obligations and everything else that might appear on one

[00:04:02] of your upcoming to-do lists, there are moments called life that still have to be lived and enjoyed. The trick is to make the very best of now and value it for what it's worth. In other words, don't wish all your time away by waiting for better times ahead.

[00:04:18] Smile right now because you can. Number five, the way every moment is a new beginning. If you feel stressed and stuck, let go, take a deep breath and appreciate the fact that this moment is a new beginning.

[00:04:34] Stop thinking about what might have been and start looking at what can be. Right now is a perfect time to start over. This moment is a brand new opportunity to rebuild what you truly want.

[00:04:47] There are three little words that can release you from your past struggles and regrets and guide you forward to a positive new beginning. Those words are, from now on. Number six, the familiar faces, places and situations you rely on daily.

[00:05:05] As Cynthia Ozek once said, quote, we often take for granted the very things that most deserve are gratitude. End quote. Have you ever noticed that the more familiar you become with an amazing person, a beautiful

[00:05:17] place or an ideal situation in your life, the more you seem to take it for granted? It's like you somehow believe life is supposed to be this way. Like it won't ever change. And most of the time all the maintenance these wonderful things need is a little

[00:05:31] time, attention and deliberate appreciation. So how often do you pause to appreciate your life and everyone and everything in it? How often do you stop dead in your tracks and think, wow, thank you? Number seven, a reasonably healthy body.

[00:05:51] In other words, if you got sick today, you could recover. Never underestimate the gift of your health. It's the greatest wealth you will ever own. It's the foundation for every chance at happiness and success life has to offer.

[00:06:05] Your body is the only place you will truly ever live. Respect your body, eat well, sleep well, breathe deeply, move harmoniously, daily. And number eight, the fact that you were online hearing this.

[00:06:22] Not only are you wealthy enough to be online right now, but you can read over here too. Believe it or not, only about one third of the world's population has internet access. And even crazier than that, there are roughly 774 million people in the world who

[00:06:38] aren't educated enough to read. You are one of those lucky ones. Afterthoughts. We all have a whole lot to be grateful for. So at the end of the day before you close your eyes, smile and be happy

[00:06:53] with where you've been and grateful for what you have experienced and overcome. Life is rarely perfect, but it's always pretty darn good. You just listened to the post titled Eight Things You Forgot To Be Grateful For by Mark Chernoff of markandangel.com. Take it to Mark.

[00:07:16] It can be pretty mind blowing to think about how every tiny life decision and random event led us to be right here in this exact moment right now. Even just saying that out loud blows my mind a bit.

[00:07:31] You might not be listening to this right now if something even somewhat insignificant or forgettable occurred today or yesterday or a year ago. It's really weird to think about. Both good and bad things that have happened, all of those events have brought you to

[00:07:47] today and today is full of good things, even if we're not in the best place at this exact moment. It can get better. And if you are in a good place, then again we have all those tiny details and events

[00:08:01] to thank for getting us here in the first place. Articles like these can be easy to sort of listen to passively and not along, but actually thinking about that I think has the ability to sort of rewire our day.

[00:08:15] Either the way we see what happened previously or appreciate the now just a little bit more and be grateful of what's to come in the future even without any specific action. I hope articles like these can have an impact and be inspirational for both of us because

[00:08:31] a changed perspective towards the positive, a little bit each day, can completely change our life path in the future. I hope it adds value for you. I know it has for me. So thank you again to Mark. Thank you for being here and helping me realize my dreams.

[00:08:47] Have a happy rest of your day and I'll see you tomorrow where your optimal life awaits.