Learn to Value What You Have
Sometimes it’s not easy to value what you have in a world that makes you think you should always be searching for more. Most of us focus on the things we don’t have, from material things, to interpersonal relationships, to beauty.
We expect big things, and we’re fascinated by miracles, but we forget that life has already given us plenty of little gifts that other people want and don’t have. I think people more often count the things they don’t have than savor what life has already given them. What about you? Have you learned to value what you have, or are you still waiting for things to happen?
Discover the treasures of your life
What do you pay attention to in your life? Most of us concentrate on and long for material things that seem bright and shiny in the distance, but once we have them they don’t contribute anything to our lives.
Valuing what you have means learning to appreciate those little moments that money can’t buy. If you pay a little attention, you’ll discover many little treasures. The most basic ones for me are:
- A house where I can sleep every night
- Food
- Health
- Clothing
- Friends, love, and family
You might think that these things are so basic that there’s no real value in them. But think again: how many people are there in the world who don’t have these things? Valuing what you have involves being thankful for more than just material goods…
It involves being thankful for little moments and memories: dinners with your friends that you’ll remember when you’re old, or the bowl of oatmeal you always used to eat as a child…
It takes effort to value what you have
When was the last time you stopped and felt consciously thankful for what you have? The amount of time you spend taking a shower and brushing your teeth every day should also be dedicated to valuing what you have.
Think about all the things you’ve achieved, what you have, and what’s around you. Even the most difficult or unpleasant day of your life can improve when you learn to be thankful. It’s common to think about what you lack and what you desire, but if you learn to take this step every day, you’ll bring more gratitude into your life.
If you get the chance and feel the desire, you should make a list of everything you have to be thankful for. That way, when you feel sad or depressed, you can go over the list and value everything. This will make the dark days a little bit easier.
Stop valuing things that don’t matter
It surprises me how much certain people complain over trivial things. They make a big deal over having to wait in line at the bank and get angry when they miss the bus. Be honest, you probably forget to value what you have sometimes because you’re focused on things that don’t matter.
The longer you think about them, they start to seem more serious than they actually are. Dedicating so much energy to these experiences takes you away from what’s really important. Think about those 20 minutes you had to wait in line at the bank that you were so angry about. Have you ever thought that maybe they gave you a little more time to spend with your child?
Changing your perspective makes life more manageable. Of course nobody likes getting to work late because they missed the bus, but something good can come from everything. The difference is in how prepared you are to see the positive side of each situation instead of the negative.
What if you weren’t alive?
We often hear the words “you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.” It seems easy to comprehend, doesn’t it? What if you really lost everything you have? Take a moment to close your eyes and imagine that your whole life has changed completely. Suddenly you have no house, you can’t find any food, and you have nobody in your life.
This is a very grim image, but remember that there are many people in the world who live under these conditions. Valuing what you have is not a waste of time. It’s actually a revolutionary act in such a materialistic world. But seeing life this way will make you happier.