“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” ~Buddha
Depending on where you’re from, you may celebrate Thanksgiving today. You might get together with your family over a massive gravy-drenched feast. You might celebrate with a chosen family of friends, with traditional food, vegan fare, or a nontraditional fast food spread.
Regardless of who surrounds you today or what meal you all share together, you’ll likely reflect upon your blessings, as we tend to do at this time of year.
You might announce them as you all take turns at the table, or you might blog about them, tweet them, or simply acknowledge them mentally in a moment of silent gratitude.
There are lots of ways to do this whole appreciation thing, and just as many wonderful things to be grateful for in life.
Today, as you take time to acknowledge all the fortunate parts of your circumstances—your health, the food you eat, the freedoms you enjoy, the job that provides for you, and the people you love—I recommend taking some time to appreciate something that often goes unrecognized.
Take some time today to appreciate yourself.
I’m not talking about appreciating the miracle of life, although it’s obviously an awesome thing. I’m talking about actually appreciating all the good things you’ve done for yourself and the world.
This may seem somewhat ego-driven, but take a minute to think about how valuable your actions are, both for you and other people.
All of our relationships depend upon our relationship with ourselves. If you don’t love yourself, you can’t possibly love someone else. If you don’t respect yourself, you likely won’t make respectable choices. If you don’t value your time, you probably won’t use your time in a way you might deem valuable.
The way you treat yourself dictates how you’ll treat the world around you. So today I say we should all recognize all the good we each do each day. While rattling off physical things and conditions that we deem to be positive, we should take a moment to celebrate the person who also weathers the negative.
Here are a few things to appreciate about yourself today.
The Good Things You Do for You
1. You let yourself learn new things, which helps you grow and contribute to the world.
2. You do good things for your body, like exercising and eating healthy foods (even if not always).
3. You honor your life by making healthcare a priority.
4. You take time away from work to simply be, which allows you to feel balanced.
5. You bounce back from bad days and disappointments.
6. You do what’s right for you, even if it’s not easy to say no to other people (and even if you occasionally people-please).
7. You choose to be around people who make you feel good about yourself.
8. You work toward goals that make you feel passionate and purposeful.
9. You smile, which benefits both you and the people around you.
10. You give yourself the sleep you need to feel energized and balanced each day (even though you sometimes you don’t get enough shut eye).
The Good Things You Do for Other People
1. You have good intentions.
2. You accept people for who they are and try to keep an open mind.
3. You make people laugh, whether you have a dry humor, an acerbic wit, or a class-clown personality.
4. You listen to the people when they need an ear.
5. You’re compassionate toward other people.
6. You make selfless decisions to look out for the people you love, even if not always.
7. You forgive people when they make mistakes, even if sometimes it’s hard.
8. You vocalize it when you notice something you value, admire, or appreciate in someone else.
9. You help other people reach their potential.
10. You’re honest with people, even if sometimes vulnerability feels scary.
The Good Things You Do for the World
1. You care about your work, or something you do outside it, and you do it passionately.
2. You want to make a difference.
3. You vote to create positive change.
4. You recycle to preserve our natural resources.
5. You choose not to litter.
6. If you’re a parent, you’re shaping the next generation.
7. You give back, whether that means volunteering, donating old clothes, or simply helping a stranger in need.
8. You call for help when you see something potentially hazardous.
9. You teach something valuable to someone every day, whether you realize it or not.
10. You make positive changes in yourself—and being the change you want to see is the best way to change the world.
And one last one: You’re great, you’re wonderful, and everybody likes you. (Okay, so that one was Rodney Dangerfield, but it felt apropos!)
These ideas might not all resonate with you, but I’m sure the majority are true. Today, as you take inventory of all the things you appreciate, remember that you play a prominent role on many other people’s lists.
One final request: because you are that valuable person who does so many good things in the world, I would appreciate knowing you. It’s a funny thing running a blog. I know there are thousands of people reading, and yet there are so many people who have never commented.
I do this to connect with you. Knowing you makes it all worthwhile.
Say hello in the comments if you get a chance, and share a little something about you. I’d be grateful to make your acquaintance!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
*Update: Since I wrote this post, I launched a gratitude journal/coloring book that people seem to be really enjoying! If you’re interested, you can learn more here.
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine.
[…] If you haven’t read them already check out yesterday’s post 7 Ways to Create Thanksgiving Every Day, and my latest post 30 Things to Appreciate About You. […]
Well you know who I am :p
But I’ll say ‘hi’ to everyone nonetheless *waves* and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving from across the pond.
Sam
Hi Sam!
Always nice to hear from you =) It’s been a wonderful, albeit unorthodox holiday here in Lala Land. I hope you’ve had a wonderful day.
Lori
Hello! I’m from Spain and even thought I don’t understand everything in english (there are always some words that I don’t know…) I’m really grateful for having found your blog! It’s just totally awesome and inspires me everyday. So get a warm “hola” from Spain 🙂 Gracias!
Hola! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the site, and I’m pleased to meet you =)
Thank you!
You’re most welcome!
I just wanted to say Hello! And thank you so much for your website. I recently started reading it a few weeks ago after randomly searching on the web for things to appreciate in life (seemed desperate I suppose), knowing subconsciously that there were many things, yet for whatever reason I had been struggling to keep them present in my mind during the past few months due to emotional situations.
I ended up finding so many articles that were eye-opening for me, and I passed many on to other friends and family. I am also a writer for a website, but more news related rather than looking at inner parts of life that if looked over can be extremely consequential. Remembering to appreciate ourselves is a prime example.
Thank you so much again! I love the website…reading it every morning on my cell phone 😉
– Celine
Hi Celine!
I’m so glad you enjoy Tiny Buddha. I also write for a number of websites, and I started this site to express the things I didn’t get to communicate through my other writing. I always appreciate that other people are happy to open their hearts and share their insights through the blog posts they submit/the comments they leave here.
I hope you had a beautiful day =)
Lori
It’s serendipitous that I found your post today because this morning I made a decision to appreciate myself, to focus on myself and what’s important to me. I’m spending my day writing Thanksgiving emails and making phone calls to my friend and family. I almost spent the day with strangers because a friend insisted that I shouldn’t be alone on a holiday. But I don’t feel alone or lonely. In fact, I feel very joyful and grateful today, and your post has given me more to appreciate about myself. Thank you!
It’s serendipitous that I found your post today because this morning I made a decision to appreciate myself, to focus on myself and what’s important to me. I’m spending my day writing Thanksgiving emails and making phone calls to my friend and family. I almost spent the day with strangers because a friend insisted that I shouldn’t be alone on a holiday. But I don’t feel alone or lonely. In fact, I feel very joyful and grateful today, and your post has given me more to appreciate about myself. Thank you!
Hi Ami,
I know exactly what you mean! There are times when I feel totally happy on my own, doing my own thing. And then there are times when I want to be surrounded by other people. I think it’s a very good thing to be able to find a balance. Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you had a wonderful day!
Lori
I want to find a way to be happy on my own!!! I do a lot of things alone and it’s fine but if I could decide to either be with company or alone, I’d choose company. But we have to happy when alone as well. I’m getting there but still want to get to the point where I’m alone and just totally ecstatic 😉
HI Lori
I have started reading Tiny Buddha only recently and have it set as my homepage 🙂 I appreciate everyone’s posts and the quotes as well. It’s inspiring to read and comforting that others are going through similar situations. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to inspire and encourage others! Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Meghan,
That’s awesome! I’m so excited to know that you’ve enjoyed Tiny Buddha. Running this site helps me in so many ways, both because I enjoy the experience of writing, and because connecting with the readers and other writers makes a huge difference in my life.
I hope you’ve had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Lori
Hello, and thank you, Lori. I appreciate you and your good works in this world. You are an inspiration!
Thank you Tom! I appreciate your commenting. It’s a pleasure to meet you =)
Hello, and thank you, Lori. I appreciate you and your good works in this world. You are an inspiration!
Reading this post brightened my day. Right now I’m a New Yorker studying abroad in Spain, and though I’m not doing anything extravagant for Thanksgiving, I’m thankful that I found people here who I connect with and trust and have fun with every day. I also appreciate how much I’ve let myself open up and grow. I’m thankful for learning to love myself a little more each day 🙂
Hi Bradley,
How exciting that you’re in Spain! What an amazing adventure. I hope you’ve enjoyed the day with your new friends…and also that you had enough Sangria for the both of us =)
Lori
Hi, Thank you for your blog! One thing I thought about being grateful about is how being kind comes so naturally to me. I know for some it really isn’t easy and I always send my blessings out to them that they might feel more love and kindness from others.
Hi Michele,
What a wonderful gift! I’m sure you make a major difference in many people’s lives. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance =)
Lori
Beautiful post, Lori! You always help me keep a good perspective. Have a blessed Thanskgiving!
Thanks Nikki! I had a wonderful day and I hope you did, as well =)
Hello Lori,
Hello and happy to meet you. I absolutely love your daily articles and rarely, if ever, miss reading one. Your messages seem to come at a time when it’s exactly what I need. I am very grateful for your wisdom, your beautiful way with words, your generosity. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Rose from Ohio
Hi Rose,
Happy to meet you, as well! It’s always a pleasure to meet a like-minded person. I hope you’ve enjoyed the day with family and friends. Thank you for reaching out =)
Lori
I thank you for creating this amazing blog that brings light to my life. Keep up with the good work that has made a change in my life and I’m sure that I’m not the only one. Thank you…
I thank you for creating this amazing blog that brings light to my life. Keep up with the good work that has made a change in my life and I’m sure that I’m not the only one. Thank you…
Thank you Tiffany! Lots of amazing people have contributed here, and I am grateful for their (and your) involvement!
I thank you for creating this amazing blog that brings light to my life. Keep up with the good work that has made a change in my life and I’m sure that I’m not the only one. Thank you…
I loved this! Thank you! I connected very well to what you wrote as I try to be that person everyday. Not because it’s “cool” but because it’s who I am! Loveeeed it so! Thank you & Happy Thanksgiving to you! Kathy aka Raok Raven! <3
Hi Kathy,
That’s fantastic! I’m sure the people around you appreciate all the good you put out there. Thank you so much for introducing yourself. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance!
Lori
I’ve enjoyed your blog ever since a friend sent me a link a few months ago. Today’s post made me smile as I initially thought “how can someone I don’t know know 30 good things about me?” The list was a great reminder of how much we have in common just by being human. Thank you for your excellent and inspirational blog! –Catherine
Hi Catherine,
It’s true–there are so many universal things we all share in common, and they’re all the most important things, I think. I hope you’ve enjoyed the day with your friends and family!
Lori
Today I’m having Thanksgiving with my parents; my sister and her family; and my lover. We’ll be crowded around my parents’ kitchen table and the spread will resemble one from Real Simple magazine. My mother takes pride in the comfort of her home and it’s well-deserved.
Where I live (which is also where this celebration is taking place) is in Northern Maine. As northern as you can get actually! In the town of Frenchville, we can look across the Saint John River and see Canada. Not off in the distance, not a speck on the horizon – it’s right there. I can see the color of the shutters on another nation’s home. It’s interesting; Canadians don’t celebrate Thanksgiving today (they celebrate it on our Columbus Day).
I am thankful for many things and I am grateful that I read this post today. It’s easy to forget that so many people are in our lives because of how we’ve lived them. Thanks for the insight. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
That sounds like a beautiful Thanksgiving! I didn’t spend the day with my family, but I am looking forward to a similar experience around Christmas. My grandmother lives in a tiny apartment, and dozens of us crowd around the table despite the space limitations. Christmas Eve is always one of my favorite days of the year just because we are all together–in all of our Italian loudness. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Lori
I just came across your tweet stream and your blog recently. Thank you for striking a chord in mu life.
Thank you for being a part of it!
Thank you first of all to you for creating such an amazing blog full of beautiful intentions and optimism and to my friend for sending me your link! I needed to hear your words today on a day that I have so much to be thankful for as I celebrate everyday all that is good and difficult in life. When my troubles run deep I search words of wisdom, love and kindness in your posts. I struggle like anyone else and it’s serendipitous that you chose today to blog about appreciating one self too! I’m thankful for what I have and for what I don’t have!! My abundance of love runeth over and I wish to share that with the world by creating an environment of appreciation and honesty! Thank you again and may everyone be inspired by your words!
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for commenting! My troubles run deep on occasion, too, and I always enjoy reading posts that remind me to love and appreciate myself. I’m glad this post (and the site in general) have been helpful to you. Thank you for reading and being a part of it all =)
Lori
Thank you so much. I enjoy your blog immensely. Btw, I’m Christie: mother to five precious children, I home school them all, and we’re from US.:)
Hi Christie,
Wow mother to five! It must be amazing to have a large family like that, and to be able to educate them. I hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday together. Thank you for saying hello =)
Lori
[…] http://dev.tinybuddha.com/blog/30-things-to-appreciate-about-you/ […]
I was inspired by http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com to start my own blog – I started http://moderncountrylady.blogspot.com about a month ago ( it’s about interior decorating from finds, freebies and craft ) ,and then also linked up more to Twitter and found your blog which I think is absolutely great.You are so right that more people read a blogpost then comment on it- that remark really spoke to me :-))
I notice this myself when I have a high amount of pageviews but not the same amount of comments!! it always makes me wonder when people decide to comment or not, and why..!!The ideas you discuss in this post certainly resonate with me ,maybe because I am now blogging about something that I am passionate , I am more aware of things !!
Happy blogging and keep on doing your great blog-!!!
XX
Bea
Hi there!
I thought I responded to your comment last night, but I don’t seem to see it now. My apologies if you get this twice! I visited your site and I really like what you’re doing. I get all excited about decorating, particularly around the holidays. Thank you for sharing the link with me =)
Lori
Hello. I just wanted to thank you for your blog, it makes life a little better for a lot of people.
Hi there,
Thanks for the note. I love running this blog, and the comments I’ve received today have been such an amazing source of joy. I hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday with your family and friends!
Lori
Hello. I just wanted to thank you for your blog, it makes life a little better for a lot of people.
I found TinyBuddha a few weeks or months ago (time has been crazy lately), and am so grateful for it. It reiterates my own thoughts and feelings and every post has been great! I have had a hard struggle to get to where I am now. I finally feel like I can be “me” without worrying about what others think (for the most part), and be proud of who I am, and do things to make myself happy. I do feel really lonely around the holidays though, so I appreciate this post even more. I do not have a family, and about to turn 40, so I am starting to accept that that’ll never happen for me. I am working today for the firs Thanksgiving in many, many years, but I am grateful for this new job that I love and am out of the last one which was sucking the life out of me. Happy Thanksgiving to you, TinyBuddha and thank you soooooo very much for your words of wisdom!!! 😉
Hi Kimberli,
Thank you! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed Tiny Buddha. I really appreciate that so many wonderful writers have shared their stories and insights. It makes it all the more fun and exciting to run the site. I’m also glad to hear that you love your job. It’s funny how sometimes lots of things fall into place after just one thing does.
Lori
PS: My apologies if you see this comment twice. I thought I responded last night, but when I came on today I did not see it.
Kimberli,
I am in a similar situation, so it was so nice to read your post. Glad you feel like you can be yourself and enjoy your life. You deserve it!
Thank you, Lori! I live in central Europe where Thanksgiving Day isn’t commonly celebrated. However I feel especially grateful today and even more now after having read your words.
Hi there!
Thanks for commenting. I’m glad this post made you feel extra grateful, and I hope you enjoyed the day, however you spent it. =)
Lori
Hi there!
Thanks for commenting. I’m glad this post made you feel extra grateful, and I hope you enjoyed the day, however you spent it. =)
Lori
Hi from the Czech Republic. You have readers here too. Thanks for your site.
Katerina
You are most welcome Katerina. Thank you for commenting. What an amazing time we live in that you and I can connect, miles and miles apart, thanks to the interwebs. I’m happy to know you =)
Lori
This is a lovely reminder to take of myself so that I am able to take care of others.
Fantastic Ruth! That was my intention, and I think writing this helped me carry the idea with me throughout the day.
Fantastic Ruth! That was my intention, and I think writing this helped me carry the idea with me throughout the day.
Hey Lori, really nice read!! Thank you…tinybuddha is awesome. Always something useful for me in every post.
Hi Darina,
Thanks for the comment! I’m so glad you enjoy Tiny Buddha, and I hope you’ve enjoyed the day =)
Lori
So great to see this, especially because I’m spending Thanksgiving with myself this year. I am so thankful for other people in my life, but most importantly, I’m thankful that I’ve learned to love ME! This blog always speaks to me at the right moment.
Happy holidays!
Happy Holidays to you, as well! I love that feeling when I can tell other people in different places, dealing with different circumstances can relate to the exact same things I am thinking. I appreciate your comment. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thankyou for your site which is really uplifting and useful, I live in the UK and read regularly :). Even when I can be grateful about nothing else about myself, I am grateful that I never stop trying to be better! 🙂
That’s awesome! I’m so glad you enjoy Tiny Buddha, and I appreciate that you took the time to comment. It’s a pleasure to e-meet you =)
Lori
Thank you for sharing! So often after I blog and chose my quotes and words of the day to focus on – that when I read yours that there is a sense of dejavue! So often the topics are similar and you give me the sense that I am on the right path due to the synchronisity I feel! Thank you for sharing, I am grateful for Tiny Buddah!!!
Hi Kisane,
I notice the same thing with other sites! It’s so nice to know and remember we are all in this together and all dealing with the same things. Thanks for commenting. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Lori
Thanks for this. My name is Mai and I live in Singapore. I follow you on twitter and I just want you to know that you enrich my heart and mind and life. Thank you for all that you are.
Hi Mai! It’s a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for saying hi =)
hello i’m from Austria and i like your Blog 🙂
Hi Tom! It’s a pleasure to e-meet you =)
Thank you so much for the wisdom you share… Yours is a positive perspective on our life…
You are most welcome, and thank you for being a part of the community here. I appreciate that. =)
Thank you Lori for the inspiration all the time. 😀
Thanks Rose. Always nice to see your smiling face =)
This has been part of my life’s philosophy for a while now and it is awesome to see someone else put it into words. I’ve learned to love myself more as I’ve grown older and it is definitely true that if you don’t take care of yourself first, how are you supposed to take care of/ love someone else.
Great blog 🙂 Keep up the inspirational work!
Thanks Rasmi! This is something I didn’t understand for a long time. It’s funny how it can be so easy to offer someone else love, compassion, and appreciation, and yet so difficult to offer it to ourselves. Thanks for reaching out, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Lori
I am so grateful for Tiny Buddha! This has been the most trying, difficult year of my life and through it, the articles posted here have been so relevant and helpful. Several times when I have read the topic before I clicked the link posted on Twitter, I’ve had to just grin because it seems like someone can read my mind and post exactly what I need to read that day! I really look forward to the little break in my day when I get to come here and read a great post and have a few peaceful moments. Thank you (and all the contributors too)!!
I don’t really know what to say to introduce myself, but I’m almost 40 and live in Colorado. I’m going through a huge amount of life changes, trying to keep sane through them all and still lead a peaceful and compassionate life. I’m planning to go to grad school to become a therapist and hopefully help others as much as my therapist has helped me. I love the little community on here and I hope Tiny Buddha will be around for many years to come! Thanks again, Lori!
Hi Alannah Rose,
It’s so nice to meet you! How exciting that you’re going back to school to become a therapist. I’m sure that will be an amazingly rewarding job. I’ve been thinking about going back to school, as well. There’s something invigorating about being part of an atmosphere of learning with people who are excited about possibilities for their life.
I’m glad to know you’ve enjoyed Tiny Buddha, and I can promise it’s not going anywhere! =)
Lori
You’ve got a wonderful blog here . We all love ourselves whether we know it or not but it requires a big heart and broad mindedness to love and appreciate others .
Here’s a link to a test , hope you and your readers will like it!
This test below finds out how sensitive you are to other’s emotions.
http://www.3smartcubes.com/pages/tests/sensitivity/sensitivity_instructions.asp
Thanks for the link Kim! I love these kinds of tests. Taking now…
Lori,
Thank you so much for Tiny Buddha. It’s an always spot-on reminder and oftentimes relief or guidance with the struggles I face daily. Shockingly difficult life events (my mom’s fairly unexpected death in a far away country and a divorce) was a painful awakening that left me raw, but open. Since then (it will be 4 years ago this December) I’ve been of a journey of healing, getting to know and befriend myself (as well as my ghosts and demons) and simply relax into what is. Along the way, I found buddhist teachings, a deeper yoga practice, the power of meditation, and Tiny Buddha <3
For the past year or so, Tiny Buddha has been like a daily reminder of gratitude and awareness and openness and kindness … So thank you. Thank you. Thank you. <3
Oana
PS Nice to meet you 😀
Hi Oana,
I’m so glad to hear that you’ve been healing after what had to have been one of the most difficult times of your life. It’s quite inspiring to hear how you’ve connected with yourself to find your strength and joy. I know it’s not easy to do. Thank you for sharing a little about yourself here. I am pleased to know you!
Lori
Hello! I’m from Sri Lanka. Love your blog! <3
Hi there! It’s a pleasure to meet you =)
Happy Thanksgiving from Holland, Lori!! Hope your holiday is filled with joy any way you are celebrating. Last night I enjoyed my first Thanksgiving in Amsterdam with a newfound “family” of friends. It was difficult to be away from home but I couldn’t have asked for a better alternative 🙂
Love,
Jeanelle
Hi Jeanelle!
How wonderful that you had some new friends to celebrate the holiday with. I bet it was cool to be part of another culture for the experience. I hope you’re having a blast on your adventure–I’m sure you are!
Lori
Hi, I enjoy your posts very much; they give a focus that is very helpful. I’m John,, I’m a Buddhist, I’m in the UK and I ‘picked you up’ (that sounds bad?) on Twitter.
Keep posting,
metta, Johnx
Hi John! It’s a pleasure to meet you. It doesn’t sound bad at all. I’m happy to have been “picked up.” =)
Lori
thank you sooo much for reminding me to appreciate myself – which I so often forget to do. 😉 It’s such a pleasure to ‘meet you’ and have your light shine from my inbox with such awesome words of wisdom 🙂 hope you had a beautiful Thanksgiving!
Hi Ladi Di,
You are most welcome–I forget sometimes, too! I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was my first one with my boyfriend since we moved in, so it was an awesome day on many levels. I hope you had a beautiful Thanksgiving, too!
Lori
Thankyou for this blog post- insightful and much needed.
You are most welcome. Thank you for commenting. That’s an interesting name you have there. Do those letters stand for something?
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Lori
Hi there,
I’m from Canada here. 🙂 I look forward every day in reading what there is on Tiny Buddha! I have found piece in mind of a lot that I have in life to figure out or have already done. Love your work.. keep it coming! 🙂
PS Happy Thanksgiving to all of you in the USA! 🙂
Your friend way up North ..
Jennifer
Thanks Jennifer! I’m so glad to hear that! I hope you’re having a wonderful day =)
Lori
Greetings from Romania! Thank you for all these great posts; I’ve learned a lot from them.
Hello there! You’re most welcome. Thank you for reading and introducing yourself. It’s so cool to connect with people so very far away. Gotta love the internet. =)
Lori