You know that annoying dude who takes part in every challenge but always bends the rules to the point where you’re not even sure if he’s playing the same game? That’s me. So when I see everyone sharing 40 things they love, I can’t help but think: “How can I make that more interesting?”
Gratitude is wonderful and there’s nothing wrong with listing stuff you’re lucky to have in your life. But I think coming up with 40 things you genuinely love about yourself is an even more valuable exercise. Because when do we ever take stock of all the great things that flow from the inside out?
It feels more empowering. Kinder. I’m reminding myself of what I have that no one can ever take away from me. They might not all be things I’m responsible for, but they’re mine forever and that’s worth a lot.
I highly recommend you try and come up with a list of your own. It’s hard. But worth every second. That said, here’s mine. I hope it’ll inspire you and make you see things in yourself you didn’t know were there.
- Optimism. I don’t know whether I was born with it, raised to be, or cultivated it — probably all three — but I refuse to accept anything other than the idea that the day after tomorrow will be better than today. It’s a great source of motivation to work hard and do my best, and it’s made my life a lot more fun in countless ways.
- Blue eyes. It might not be if it wasn’t for this genetic break of dumb luck, but blue is my favorite color. The sky, water, hope, trust, loyalty, wisdom, they’re all blue to me. So every time I look in the mirror, I’m reminded I should stand for these things. Plus Superman, so it wins right there.
- Intelligence. I’m book-smart. It’s not a free ride to success, but it’s allowed me to breeze through a lot of things with ease that other people deem complete hell (like school). Sure, I overthink everything, but I can also wiggle out of a lot of situations where being dumbstruck just wouldn’t do.
- Terrible puns. If there’s a bad wordplay to be made, I’m there. Life’s too short to skip the crappy jokes. So I take one for the team and make them. And then I laugh about them anyway. Often, it catches everyone else too. Mostly because of how embarrassing it was, but hey, a laugh is a laugh.
