50 Things To Be Thankful For

thankful

One of the most popular online videos last week was a very funny interview Conan O’Brien did the comedian Louis CK. Louis makes the observation that although we have so many amazing things these days (eg high speed internet access on airplanes), people still don’t seem to be happy. If you haven’t seen it already, I recommend you watch Everything’s Amazing, Nobody’s Happy (sorry, YouTube won’t let me embed the video into this post).

This video reminded me that it is very easy to take many wonderful things in our lives for granted. If we can only learn to look at life a little differently, it is possible to find an abundance of things to be thankful for.

50 Things To Be Thankful For

1. Twitter (thank you to everyone on Twitter who helped me compile this list)

2. TED

3. Sisters (@SteveErrey)

4. Brothers

brother&sister
Photo by Daniel E. Bruce

5. Coffee

6. Snow covered mountains

7. A warm bed to sleep in (@bluestatus)

8. Fresh fruit

strawberries
Photo by MVI

9. Chocolate

10. Lolcats

11. Ice cream

12. Children laughing

13. Children smiling

rohan
Photo of my 8 month old son Rohan

14. iPhones/ iPods

15. Your Health (@JohnKoetsier & @bklynyogini)

16. Flowers

17. A good novel

reading-a-book
Photo by Demi-Brooke

18. Red wine

19. Reddit

20. Air conditioning on a hot summer day

21. Dishwashers

22. Good conversation

23. Good friends

24. President Obama

25. Rock ‘n’ Roll

the-hives
Photo by Charlie Cravero

26. Walks in nature

27. Post Secret

28. Hugs

29. Cats

30. Dogs

31. The internet, for giving the possibility to meet, learn from & share with many so incredible people, so easily (@SiDawson)

32. Warm showers

33. Barbecues

34. Rainbows

rainbow
Photo by Nicholas T.

35. WordPress

36. Libraries

37. The Daily Show

38. Limbs (@BambooForest)

39. Lazy Sundays

40. Grandchildren (@Vic_Toria)

41. Sunrises

42. Sunsets

sunset
Photo by m o d e

43. Peanut butter

44. The Nintendo Wii

45. Pizza

46. Love

47. Sex

48. The Simpsons

49. Today, because today is another opportunity to get it right and make a positive change (@smalonedesign)

50. High speed internet access on airplanes ;)

Please feel free to keep adding to the list by sharing things you’re thankful for in the comments below!

Photo by whatmegsaid

29 thoughts on “50 Things To Be Thankful For”

  1. Rohan looks lovely .. every smile! My mother is dying and her smiles and happiness make me feel happy .. it’s great to be able to give at this time.

    Your list is really interesting

    I’d add just being blessed ..

    Hilary: Be Positive Be Happy

    1. Hi Hilary,

      I’m sorry to hear about your mother, but I’m happy that you are able to spend time with her and find a positive in the situation.

      Your comment made me think of the following lyrics from Jack Johnson’s song “If I Could”:

      “They say that
      new life makes losing life easier to understand
      Words are kind
      they helped ease the mind
      of this, my old friend
      And though you gotta go
      we’ll keep a piece of your soul
      What goes out
      What goes in

    1. Wow, you must really like your sauna!

      Agreed on the (Australian Rules) football and beer; those are two of my favorite things too. :)

    1. Yes, he’s a very funny guy! I spent an hour or more Saturday night watching clips of him on YouTube. I find his observations on parenting to be particularly funny (although they are far from politically correct; not recommended if you are easily offended).

    1. @Jessica, Hi Jessica,I’m a big fan of TED also,isn’t it a great site? I’m happy that you mentioned it on here,perhaps more ppl will check it out.

  2. absolutely great,it’s as if the author read my mind out loud.All the things you mentioned are my favorites too.We must be related,and to add to the list #51.I’m thankful for you!

  3. Add books and reading and DVD, especially books and reading, and walking round a corner and seeing someone i really like who i haven’t seen for ages walking towards me. Add them to the list..

  4. Hey peter!
    That was pretty awesome! You have inspired me to share a few things that I am thankful for:
    My Wonderdog, Daisy.(she is really cute!)
    My best friends, who ALWAYS cheer me up when I am sad, or mad.
    My camper so I can go to the lake every summer.
    My ice-skates so I can ice-skate with friends every week.
    And last but not least, my family who loves me so.
    (P.S. love the pic. of the dog! I love pugs!)
    thanks!
    -Em

  5. Peter,
    I love this post. If we can change our thinking to be always concentrating on what we have instead of what we want we will all be more content. I also like that it is 50. That is enough to get you out of the usual…family, health etc. and into more whimsical things.
    We do this every Thanksgiving and share our list around the table by calling out a specific number. We love the tradition and highly recommend it.
    You can read all about it at http://www.familytrek.org/the-thankful-list-a-thanksgiving-tradition/
    Thanks Peter!
    Monica

  6. The sincerest form of thanks is not merely saying the words “Thank you,” although there is a time and a place for that. Words can be hollow and empty if they are not accompanied by appropriate, corresponding action. The sincerest form of thanks is to share the gift !

    I was struggling financially even before the economy turned down. I had been without an automobile for three years. Then a wonderful lady gave me her older car when someone handed down a newer car to her. I say, “THANK YOU !” But I also SHOW “Thank you” by giving rides to people who really need a lift.

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