Bratty Girl

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. — English poet/journalist Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936)

• Be thankful that sunrises and sunsets are free, or else we couldn’t afford them.

• Be thankful that behind every storm is surely the rainbow of hope and future sunshine.

• Be thankful for stars: like diamonds in the velvet black of night, beautiful and free.

• Be thankful for our dreams, for life would have no excitement without them.

• Be thankful for small losses or small pains: many others on earth suffer worse.

• Be thankful for our home, whether small or big, for countless others are homeless.

• Be thankful for strangers who are Good Samaritans, so that we can be so to others, too.

• Be thankful for our family, for they help us become who we are and what we can be.

• Be thankful for true friends, because they are often more dependable than even kin.

• Be thankful for pet dogs, because they are always more loyal than friends.

• Be thankful for those who criticize us, because more people are destroyed by praise.

• Be thankful for those who doubt us, to motivate us to prove them dead wrong!

• Be thankful for our mistakes, because life would be so boring if we are all perfect.

• Be thankful if others try to oppress or cheat you, for it’s worse to be the oppressor.

• Be thankful for the chance to give: it’s a blessing to be able to share with others.

• Be thankful to those who have helped us: never forget them, but forget those we’ve helped.

• Be thankful to those who’ve wronged us: sincerely forgive them, but never forget!

• Be thankful for cruel odds or fate, because our victory shall then be so much greater.

• Be thankful for storms, so that we can better appreciate rainbows and sunshine.

• Be thankful for crisis, because what doesn’t destroy us can only strengthen us!

• Be thankful for crisis: a Chinese proverb says it brings dangers and also opportunities.

• Be thankful for crisis, for only then can we know who our true friends are.

• Be thankful for stress, so that we can be reminded to relax and balance our lives.

• Be thankful for tiredness, for it makes us sleep even better and more soundly.

• Be thankful for occasional noise, so that we can be grateful for silence and music.

• Be thankful for sublime music and art, so we can be reminded of excellence.

• Be thankful for poetry, good books and movies, so we have more in life to enjoy.

• Be thankful for the infinite beauty of nature, so we can be reminded of our mortality.

• Be thankful for solitude, to allow us time to reflect and continuously renew ourselves.

• Be thankful for hunger, so we can better appreciate food, no matter how simple.

• Be thankful for fine foods and wines, so we can relish the bounties of the forests and seas.

• Be thankful even for foods that aren’t delicious: at least we know we have good taste!

• Be thankful for waiting, so we can have time to rest, pause and think.

• Be forever thankful to all our teachers, whether in school, in our families, or in life.

• Be thankful for tears, for they wash away conceit and help us better enjoy laughter.

• Be thankful for every loss, so we may be humbled and challenged to persevere more.

• Be thankful for losses, reminding ourselves that they are only setbacks and not defeats.

• Be thankful for setbacks, because they give us priceless lessons no victories can offer.

• Be thankful for pain, for it makes us feel we’re alive and that we must be stronger!

• Be thankful for hard-earned victories, because easy gains are often so easily lost.

• Be thankful for risks, because life would have no challenges without them.

• Be thankful many of the best things in life are free, or else we’d all be broke.

• Be thankful for a clear conscience, because peace of mind and honor are priceless.

• Be thankful for wonderful parents, because their examples should forever inspire us.

• Be thankful for our free will, that all of us can choose and make our own destiny!

• Be thankful for good health, because it is more valuable than material wealth.

• Be thankful even if we are sick: at least we are still alive and every day is a miracle.

• Be thankful also for certainty of death, so that we can think and plan for our afterlife.

• Be thankful for answered prayers, reminding us that God exists and is all-powerful.

• Be thankful even for unanswered prayers, for not everything we want is good for us.

• Be thankful for our capacity to love and to be loved, for those are the essence of life.

• Be thankful for our blessings, counting them is better than counting hurts and regrets.