LIFE: The Daily Teacher

“We have good days and bad. On both days, take a moment to really appreciate being alive.”

Good days and bad days. We all have them. Some days we feel on top of the world as everything seems to be going our way. We are productive, we are confident, we feel good about our accomplishments, and just feel like taking life by the bulls. In contrast, some days everything goes wrong. We can’t motivate ourselves to work, we can barely put a smile on our face, and everything feels like it can never recover. Regardless of whether your day has been good or bad, appreciating being alive can be a blessing.

On good days, taking a pause and just looking at everything that went right can be a wonderful experience. We are reminded of the things we have that are worth preserving, including the qualities and strengths we see in ourselves. We are reminded of the reasons we have to smile, to truly feel good. After a productive day, if you’re out for a walk, pause and feel the wind going through your hair. Such a simple thing can feel a thousand times more potent when it is in the context of other wonderful happenings. And these are the small moments that make life worthwhile.

On bad days, take a pause and count everything you have to be thankful for. Sure, the printer may be busted slowing down your productivity, or sure you’ve caught the flu, or maybe it’s just been a bad week, or month. But pause and reflect on the things in your life that are worthwhile. Friends, family, laughter, children, hobbies, rewards, let your mind temporarily drift into indulging in the things that you still have that make your life worth living. Take a walk, feel a breeze going through your hair. Listen to some music when you’re stuck in traffic. Indulge in a little bit of nostalgia to use as a quick ‘pick me up’.

In the end, life is very difficult, but its the little things that we cherish that make it worth living. So regardless of whether you’ve had a good day, or a bad day, take pause and reflect on the fact that you are living. Appreciate what you have, as opposed to what you don’t have.

After all, life is not just meant to be experienced; it must also be appreciated.