Life’s Playbook – Stop Taking The Most Precious Things For Granted

The International Students Office (ISO) defines ‘taking for granted’ as “To assume something is true without questioning it, or this phrase may also mean to not be grateful for something or someone. Take for granted has a negative connotation, especially when used to mean not to appreciate someone.”

Take a moment to focus on the present and notice what surrounds you. Suppose you’re in your living room. You see furniture, a television, a fireplace, windows with shades, and a ceiling fan. Because your living room is familiar, it’s easy to take it for granted. However, your living room offers you a place for relaxation and entertainment.

The fireplace gives you warmth on cold days. The windows with shades provide you with privacy or let the sunshine in. The ceiling fans keep you cool on a hot day. Have you ever considered how grateful you are for your family, home, and luxuries? Many of us don’t take the time to be appreciative for reasons such as:

• Not living in the present moment, we ignore our blessings.
• Being too busy with work, school, projects, and errands
• As time passes, new belongings and people that are new in our lives become more familiar or more routine to us, and we start to take them for granted.

Why Does Taking Things for Granted Matter?

When you take things for granted:

• You may only focus on yourself, and your actions can be perceived as selfish.
• You tend to be less present, not living in the moment. You disregard what is happening around you and don’t experience happiness from the simple things in life.
• Relationships, memories, and opportunities can fade away due to a lack of appreciation.

On the other hand, Robert Emmons, Psychology Today’s lead gratitude researcher, has found that gratitude reduces depression and increases happiness.[1]

How Can I Stop Taking Things for Granted?

1. Practice Gratitude: Gratitude is a pillar of self-growth. It helps us feel more optimistic, cherish good experiences, strengthen relationships, and improve our ability to cope during difficult times. Remember to appreciate the things you value in your life, such as good health, family, or career.
2. Take your time: Don’t rush. Otherwise, it is easy to forget to be thankful for the positive things in life. Also, rushing around increases health risks. It can result in fatigue and compromise the immune system. The stress from rushing can make you prone to organ damage, sleep disturbances, and mental health issues.

3. Live in the moment: Learn to practice mindfulness. According to Mindful.org, “Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s happening around us.”
4. 4. Show appreciation: Showing appreciation makes your loved ones feel cherished. It also makes you feel joyful and more fulfilled in your life. It may be as simple as saying “Thank you.”
5. Start a gratitude journal: Log the things you are grateful for, whether they are people, an experience, a necessity, or a luxury. Read your journal regularly to remind yourself how fortunate you are.

Conclusion

There are many reasons we forget to be thankful. Expressing gratitude helps us overcome taking things for granted. Being grateful has mental health benefits and leads to a happier life. When things are going well, take a minute to reflect and appreciate all that you have achieved and all that you have. Whether it is family, friends, sunshine, nature, good health, or other things you appreciate, you can learn to stop taking the most precious things for granted.

Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey

[1] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201504/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-of-gratitude