Be Thankful for the Small Moments

 

When trying to write this speech, all I could think of were the people who believed in me before I knew how to believe in myself -- for the countless phone calls with my cousin, for the endless support from my mom who probably should have just told me I was being dramatic, and for my dad who’s still my role model to this day because of his generosity and compassion. And of course for my brother who requested I include him in this speech but who nonetheless is the most positive person I know. 

 

I am thankful for them and everything they have done for me as well as the opportunities I’ve been given. The more I thought of it the more I came to realize how looking back with gratefulness at the things I have achieved or done changes my perspective, and hopefully yours as well.  

 

Just over a year ago, I participated in a volleyball trip to the Dominican Republic with our school. For some context, I hadn’t really travelled much before. It was actually the first time I can remember being on a plane. I learned so much from this experience, not only about volleyball but about a different culture and specifically from people who are much less fortunate than me. On this trip, we did some volunteer work with the evident goal in mind to help some locals. Overall, I believe I gained so much more from them then they ever could from me.  

 

There are a few different ways you could view this trip. The obvious way is as a learning experience that I’m very grateful and lucky to have had or, most importantly,  what I learned. One moment in particular really stood out to me. I met a little girl at the orphanage we visited. She was around my sister’s age and proudly showed me her drawings. Being there and seeing how grateful she was for our visit as happiness and excitement lit up her face emphasized to me how fortunate I am. It really taught me to appreciate the small things in my own life. 

 

The older I get, the more I realize that most of the moments that shaped me, like my time spent with the little girl, didn’t feel big at the time. They were small, everyday moments: people showing up, opportunities opening, a friend making me laugh. Only later did I realize how much they truly mattered. Every bit of confidence I have today was built by the people who took a moment, or many moments, to lift me up and care about me, and for that I am so incredibly grateful. 

 

I want to leave you with this final thought: Being grateful will naturally change your perspective for the better, giving you an overall positive view on life. To focus on things you are grateful for is the simplest way to change your mindset. 

 

I want everyone to think of just one thing that you are grateful for, even if it’s just that you don’t currently have a stuffy nose like 90% of the students right now. The next time you’re having a bad day, I want you to focus on that one thing. Because when we choose to notice even the smallest, good things, we don’t just change our day, we slowly and quietly, change our whole lives.