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What I’m Thankful For – Being Positive Can Change Your Life

Last Updated: BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 63 Comments

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If you are in the United States, you are probably preparing for Thanksgiving and any related festivities. You are most likely excited for the food, seeing family members, hanging out with old friends, and more.

As everyone knows, one part of Thanksgiving is to think about all of the things you are thankful for.

I think it’s always a good idea to stop and think about the positive things in life.

This can completely change your mindset and I believe it can make your day, year, and life better. No matter how bad life may seem, you can probably step back and think of a few positive things in your life.

Below are some of the several different things in life that I am thankful for:

 

My family and friends.

I am extremely grateful to have so many people around me who are wonderful.

I am, of course, thankful for Wes. We both left our day jobs around the same time to pursue self-employment. He helps me out tremendously with the business and makes life much more enjoyable. I really don’t know what I would do without him. He pushes me to enjoy life and not be such a money stickler. If it weren’t for him, I probably would have never recently tackled my fear of rock climbing either. He pushes me to succeed in life and I don’t know what I would do without that motivation.

I am thankful for my sister. She is pretty much like a daughter to me and I am still sad that she moved to Chicago. She is making me proud though by managing school, multiple jobs, volunteer positions, and more. Every now and then she sends me a little note or reminder of how thankful she is of everything I’ve done for her and it brings tears to my eyes. I do it all because I love her!

I am thankful for my mom, my brother, my grandma, Wes’s parents, Wes’s siblings, all cousins, aunts, uncles, all of my wonderful friends and more. It would be hard to list everyone out but just be aware that I love all of you.

I also love my dogs and the joy they bring me. People tend to think I’m crazy when I tell them that we bring our dogs on our trips, but the truth is that I wouldn’t have it any other way! #crazydogmomsunite

 

My business.

I love the flexible schedule, I love the work I do, I love waking up each morning in order to work, I love that my business allows me to have location independence, and more.

I’m grateful for the fact that I can make a living doing what I love.

Ever since I left my day job last year, life has been better than ever. Sure, every now and then things can get scary and as a business owner you sometimes wonder what the future will hold. However, the risk is all worth it.

 

My health.

I am very thankful for the fact that I’ve always been very healthy. I’ve never really had any serious medical bills, and I have no medical debt. One small medical problem can change a person’s life forever and I am thankful that I haven’t had to experience that.

 

I’m thankful for all of the traveling I have been able to do.

The world is a beautiful place, and I am extremely thankful that I am able to explore it because of my location independent business. I have traveled a fairly extensive amount so far this year and I have seen some pretty amazing things.

 

I’m thankful for technology.

I don’t know what I would do without technology. Technology allows me to work while I am in the car on a road trip. It allows me work from my bed without having to get up.

However, the biggest thing is that with technology, I am able to run my business. I wouldn’t be able to do so without it. I wouldn’t even have a business without technology.

 

I’m thankful for my readers.

I’m, of course, thankful for all of you great readers. If it weren’t for all of you and the blogging community, then I really do not know where I would be. You all encourage me to do better and are constantly pushing me in the right direction.

Do you think being positive can change a person’s mindset?

What are you currently thankful for? Even if it’s not Thanksgiving for you, chime in!

What are you doing for Thanksgiving?

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About Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Michelle is the founder of Making Sense of Cents, a blog about personal finance and traveling. She discusses how her business has evolved in her side income series. She paid off $40,000 in student loans by the age of 24 mainly due to her freelancing side hustles. Click here to learn more about starting a blog!

Comments

  1. moneystepper says

    Good to read! I always try to take out time to think of the things that I am grateful for.

    However, I also like reading other peoples’ lists as it makes me think of things that I have previously overlooked.

    Given the situation in Syria, Iraq, etc etc, I’m personally very grateful to live in a country where there is not a domestic/civil war or other atrocities occurring.

    Reply

  2. Myles Money says

    There are so many things to be grateful for every day and I always try my best to be positive. I like the idea that there’s a “grateful season” but at the same time it makes me a little sad that we need to pin a name and a date on it… every day should be thanksgiving!

    Reply

  3. Kasia says

    Thanksgiving, a holiday the world should celebrate.
    It’s so easy to forget to be grateful for all the things we take for granted. I’m thankful for my health, my family, being blessed with a healthy and happy son, living in a peaceful and beautiful country, for the opportunities in my life, and so much more.

    Reply

  4. Petrish @ Debt Free Martini says

    I believe that without being positive it will make your everyday life difficult. Being positive is a choice you have to make, and for some of us practice. I am a believer that you have to create your own happiness. No you can’t be happy all the time, but you can learn how to enjoy your life. Some of the happiest people are the people who don’t have much….that’s amazing to me.

    Your blog has inspired me so much and I am hoping that I can also make writing a second career after military retirement. Happy Thanksgiving.

    Reply

  5. TLC says

    Good reminder!

    I’m praying for a healthy 2015. 2012-2014 was a challenge (therapy after my divorce & mom’s death), procedure to see if I’d follow in mom’s medical footsteps, & $2000 worth of dental work despite doing the best I can to take care of my teeth. You’re right, one toe out of line & you can end up drowning.

    I hope to travel more some day once my finances are steady. I’m planning my dream vacation to England May 2016.

    Reply

  6. Natalie @ Financegirl says

    I think being positive absolutely can change your mindset. But it has to be a genuine positive outlook (not faking it). That’s why sometimes declarations are better than affirmations – if you say you’re going to do something in a certain way you’re more likely to believe it as opposed to saying you are a certain way (the little voice in your head says well actually that’s not true). And this is exactly what’s so harmful about sarcasm – it comes from a negative place. I used to be sarcastic, but have made it a point not to because I want to live a positive, optimistic life. Great post!

    Reply

  7. Sarah says

    Hi Michelle! Love your list, so sweet! You’re totally right – everyone in life has ups and downs, but those who choose to see the ups more often than the downs and show thanks as often as possible are happier. I’m naturally a pretty happy person, but when I get in “funks” (like a fight with the hubby haha!) it’s hard for me to get out! 🙂

    Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! 🙂

    (PS I’ve received a few emails from people not being able to comment. I’m so lost on the issue (since some people ARE able to comment!). Googled it briefly but the only info I found was “I spent 9 hours on this and it’s still not solved” type of stuff. I’m hoping to fix this issue this weekend!).

    Reply

  8. J says

    This was a great read! I think being positive can change a person’s entire attitude and outlook on life, making everything different, and for the best! It’s definitely something that requires time, but after a while of actively trying to focus on positives it becomes second nature, and people are just happier.
    I’ve definitely been trying to be more thankful – for my fiance and all he does for me, for my friends and family, for my job, and for the beautiful country that I live in 🙂

    Reply

  10. Emily @ Simple Cheap Mom says

    Being positive definitely changes a person’s mindset. I’m so thankful for the wonderful people in my life, being able to stay at home with my daughter and being able to look to the future and believe that I can make anything I want happen.

    Reply

  12. Shannon @ Financially Blonde says

    I totally believe positivity breeds more positivity. I am thankful that I have always been a glass is half full kind of gal so it has never been difficult for me to switch to a positive frame of mind. I do get down from time to time, though, I just try to get myself out of the funk as soon as possible. I am thankful for my hubby, son, friends and clients this holiday. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

    Reply

  13. Brian @ Luke1428 says

    I really get frustrated at the people around me who are continually negative. It really drags me down and makes me not enjoy their company. Life is too short and our blessings too many to continually dish out a negative attitude.

    Reply

  14. Kristin says

    I love reading these kinds of posts! This is my first Thanksgiving not being near family. It might sound silly to some, but I am so thankful to have my 2 dogs. We have been a trio for a long time! They provide so much joy to my life and I actually plan my vacations around them so I can make sure they can come with me. I can’t imagine my life without them!

    Reply

  15. Jason says

    Being positive can definitely change your mindset. I’m thankful for a lot of things. I actually made a post about what I’m thankful for. It’s below this comment 🙂

    Reply

  16. Don @ Breath of Optimism says

    Being positive can have a huge impact on your life. I’m not going down the road of The Secret here, but just simply focusing on the positives instead of the negatives will change your life. You will be happier and healthier for starters because you won’t be always focusing on the bad.

    As you stay positive, you will notice more positive things which will increase your confidence and you will try more things, succeed more (you won’t fail every time) and that will increase your confidence more. It’s a great cycle to live in!

    Reply

  17. Jayleen @ How Do The Jones Do It says

    A positive mindset is so important in so many areas of our lives. It’s so easy to fall into negativity and I am constantly reminding myself to be positive! Practicing gratitude is where it’s at!
    Today, I am thankful for my husband who is brave enough to get on the roof to put the lights up;0)
    We will be spending Thanksgiving at my parent’s house and the kids traditionally spend the night with them so the hubster and I can brave the masses Black Friday shopping;0)

    Reply

  25. kay lifestylevoices.com says

    This was so nice! Sometimes just hearing what other people are thankful for makes me happy. 🙂

    I’m thankful for every good person and thing that God brings my way on a daily basis! Enjoy your weekend, Michelle! 🙂

    Reply

  26. Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank says

    You are welcome Michelle! Honestly, I thank you also for being a good writer and providing insightful articles. On positivity, it is always a choice we make in every moment. It’s either we are positive or negative. Negative just bring nothing. Why choose it? Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks to positivity for what we are today.

    Reply

  29. Prairie Eco Thrifter says

    Being positive and having gratitude is so incredibly important and it can do huge things for your mental health and happiness. I am thankful for so much, and it’s important to practice gratitude every single day!

    Reply

  31. Lisa says

    I absolutely think being grateful can change someone’s mindset – it changed mine for the better! Seeing the good in your everyday life can give you a more positive attitude to yourself and others.

    I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Michelle!

    Reply

  32. DNN says

    Hi Michelle,

    I too am a firm believer in the awesome power of positive thinking. Adversity can bog our minds down. But with belief in self and doing the transformation business work, anyone can not only remain in a positive state of well being, but also use positive thinking as a means of increasing their “side hustle millionaire” potential.

    Reply

  33. DNN says

    I’m a firm believer in positive thinking. I find myself at times angry or negative because of the way many past experiences went. But I know in the crack of the cement there’s a sweet smelling rose that sprouts out of it. The lesson learned from the past is no matter how bad the experience was, always remain hopeful and think positive. I do admit I still struggle with it from time to time. But positive thinking and striving to stay positive has done more than I can think of. And it’s helping my spiritual awareness increase also. Thanks again for another successful and thought provoking post. 🙂

    Reply

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