Being Thankful for the Little Things

By Trey Ellis

It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many, if not all, into some position of discomfort. From business closings to restrictions on in-person gatherings, many aspects of what we consider to be “normal life” have been removed. With much of this “normal life” taken away, it seems natural for us to focus on all the things we don’t have as a result of these circumstances.

However, I would like to challenge everyone to find the positive in what seems like so much negative — to discover the light in what seems like so much darkness. I propose that we concentrate on identifying the things that we still do have under these difficult circumstances, instead of lamenting what we don’t have. More than anything, I want to suggest that we all remain intentional about being thankful for the little things. Let’s make gratitude our new attitude.

In this tumultuous year, we have been stripped of countless enjoyable events, activities, and traditions. In order to cope with this period characterized by the deficiency of these particular elements of “normal life,” it helps to pay attention to the little things that we still do have. Adopting this kind of perspective naturally makes the aspects of life that are still present even more valuable, reducing our concentration on those that may be absent. It is imperative to recognize and reflect on these consistent, positive little things for which we are thankful, even during this chaotic year. Who knows — steadily carrying this perspective might even lead us to find that the little things we do have are more copious than we originally perceived them to be!

One of the little things that is worthy of our focus and appreciation during this period is any time that we spend with other people. During a time when we are all remote and physically distant, a handshake, a fist bump, or a hug often seems so far away. Nevertheless, being apart has dramatically heightened the value of personal interaction. Especially as such interactions are likely to be fewer and further between, we should deliberately enjoy each and every moment we are able to have with one another. Whether this time with others occurs through the platform of a video chat or a phone call, or a safe, in-person interaction, we must cherish and be thankful for it.

True enough, time spent with family, friends, and loved ones should be cherished no matter the situation. However, by recognizing that some form of time with others is a positive that we are still able to maintain throughout the pandemic, its value to us exponentially increases. We should be thankful for the little thing of time spent with others.

Another resource that deserves our concentration and gratitude is the opportunity to appreciate nature and the outdoors. During isolation, we have remained indoors for more extended periods of time, and as a result, our desire for fresh air has likely increased. When coupled with the fact that the outdoors is a relatively safe place, spending at least some time outside becomes even more attractive. The opportunity to view and appreciate the wondrous beauty of nature is excellent. I encourage us all to take advantage of it!

If possible, take some time to enjoy the temperature outside, a captivating sunset, or the exquisite blooming of autumn flowers. In a line of work where busyness is never scarce, for both law students and attorneys, taking time to be outdoors benefits both our physical and mental health. We each have the opportunity to find and appreciate Earth’s beautiful simplicities as a relief from the world’s surrounding complexities. Thus, we should be thankful for the little thing of being able to appreciate nature.

The final thing that we should focus on is the fact that we are alive. Life is a precious gift that deserves frequent recognition and abundant appreciation. We must never overlook being fortunate enough to have life, as this is not a gift that we are always guaranteed to have. This “little” characteristic is often neglected in mundane, day-to-day activities, but the opportunity to see another day is something that deserves acknowledgement, and we should appreciate it daily. Indeed, it should be a paramount reason for gratefulness; we should be thankful for the monumental gift of being alive.

Though it is much easier said than done, I encourage all of us to remain vigilant in acknowledging the positive little things for which we are thankful. It can be easy to become distracted and to focus solely on wishing these unprecedented circumstances were different, as I’m sure we all do from time to time. But instead of letting this time hinder us, let’s allow it to elevate us. I dare all of us, both law students and attorneys, to fight against that impeding ease of thinking about what we are missing.

A large part of winning this fight lies in intentionally concentrating on the many positive little things. Focusing on these things can help transform this time of deprivation into a time of appreciation. I challenge each of us to play a role in that transformative process!