Whenever the holiday season gets closer, I find myself thinking more about the things I am grateful for. Maybe it is because people talk more about thanksgiving around this time, or because another year is almost over. Whatever the reason, this prompt just made me to sit down and think about the good things that happened to me this year.
Firstly, I am thankful for life and good health. I know this may sound simple, but it is something I don't take for granted. As a teacher, I spend most of my day standing, walking around the classroom, talking and helping children with their lessons. Teaching my pupils can be tiring, especially on days when some of them find it difficult to understand what I am teaching. Sometimes, I get home feeling very tired, but I am grateful that I can still wake up the next morning and go about my daily activities. Not everyone has this privilege.
I am also thankful for my job and the children I teach. To be honest, teaching comes with its own challenges. There are days when I have to explain the same thing over and over again before a child understands. It can be frustrating sometimes, but the children also give me reasons to smile. I enjoy seeing them learn new things, even though they sometimes forget what I taught them yesterday. Their funny questions, drawings and little acts of kindness make some of my difficult days better.
I am equally thankful for my father and grandmother, who played important roles in raising me. My father was a quiet and peaceful man who loved God. My grandmother was also part of my childhood, and I grew up learning different things from her. Some of the things they taught me are still part of my life today. I know I am not perfect, but I appreciate the values they passed on to me. I wish my father were still here to see how far I have come, but I remain grateful for the time I had with him.
I am also thankful for my family and the people who have helped me in one way or another. Sometimes, we don't realise how much a little help means until we find ourselves in a difficult situation. Having people who care and are willing to support us is something worth appreciating.
Another thing I am thankful for is the chance to try new things. This year, I have explored some interests, worked on my personal goals and learned along the way. I haven't achieved everything I wanted, and there are still many things I hope to do. But at least I have made some progress.
I will not pretend that this year has been perfect. There were stressful days, moments of doubt, and times I wished things moved faster. But when I look back, I see that I was carried through each one. Gratitude does not erase the hard parts, it simply helps me see the good standing right beside them.
I still have many things I am hoping and praying for, but I don't want to become so focused on what is missing that I forget to appreciate what is already in my life.
Image is by Google Gemini