by Jeff Cody

During this holiday season, it's nice to be reminded to be thankful and grateful for our blessings, even if things in our lives seem upside down and inside out. Here's a list of 50 things to be grateful for that I found by looking around the web. Maybe this list will help if you happen to be struggling.

For me, it begins with a loving Savior who has never once let me down. In a close second place is my son Benjamin. Here's a list of other everyday things you might use to jog your memory and help you in times of trouble or loneliness.

Everyday Comforts

1. The first sip of coffee or tea in the morning

2. Fuzzy socks and warm blankets

3. A good night’s sleep (even if it’s rare)

4. A podcast that makes you feel less alone

5. Sunlight through the window

6. Music that understands your feelings

7. Cooking something just for yourself

8. Having a favorite pen or notebook

9. Getting in bed with clean sheets

10. The smell of something nostalgic

Relationships (Chosen and Given)

1. Someone who really “gets” you

2. Inside jokes with friends

3. A therapist you trust

4. Pets who stay close when you’re sad

5. A text from someone who remembered you today

6. The freedom to set boundaries

7. People who respect your “no”

8. Support groups or community spaces that feel safe

9. Your chosen family

10. Feeling seen or validated

Internal Resources

1. Your sense of humor, even in hard times

2. The ability to notice your own growth

3. Skills you’ve worked hard to learn

4. Your unique perspective

5. The courage to ask for help

6. Learning to sit with discomfort

7. The strength it takes to rest

8. Letting go of perfectionism

9. Moments when you felt like “yourself” again

10. The clarity that comes after a hard decision

Small Joys & Quiet Magic

1. A stranger holding the door open

2. Deep breaths that actually help

3. The way animals stretch in the sun

4. Libraries and free knowledge

5. Finding something you thought was lost

6. A really good meme when you needed a laugh

7. Finishing a task you were dreading

8. The smell of rain

9. Hot showers on a cold day

10. Walks with no destination

Meaning, Healing, and Hope

1. Being able to start over

2. A moment of peace in the middle of chaos

3. Something that used to be a trigger, now feeling less sharp

4. Grieving something important (because it mattered)

5. Learning to trust yourself again

6. Being part of change, even in small ways

7. Knowing you are not alone in your pain

8. The work you’ve done to survive

9. The possibility of joy—even when it’s hard to reach

10. Today. Just today.