“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say ‘thank you’?”
This quote is by William Arthur Ward who was an American motivational writer. He was known for writing positive sayings which appeared in many publications and other media.
This quote caught my attention, both because of the importance of expressing our thankfulness and also because of the unique way Ward reminds us of the gift of life, of the 86,400 seconds of life we have each day.
As we go about our day doing the various activities we need to do, it can be easy to take for granted the many things for which we should be grateful–our families and friends, health, abilities, jobs, people who have been positive influences, and the opportunities that come our way. And the clean air we breathe, the birdsong we hear, the beauty of the sky, and the many other aspects of nature, not only in the countryside but also in urban areas. The list of things for which we should be thankful goes on and on.
Focusing on the many blessings we have rather than on what we don’t have adds to our sense of wellbeing and helps us to be more positive in general. In fact, there are research studies that have found that this approach helps to decrease the effects of depression and other mental illnesses.
Each day is a gift from our Creator. It’s important to value that gift and, as Ward reminds us, to say thank you for that gift.