A Poem of Gratitude - 100 Things I'm Thankful For

This year, for one reason or another, I’m focused on spending the remaining days of the year being both reflective and appreciative of what I experienced. And that, more or less, is where the idea of this gratitude poem came from.

It’s been a trying year in some sense, but all years bring their challenges, and the positives of this past year far outweigh the negatives. Mostly, I just feel I’ve done a lot of growing this year, and gained some important clarity, and I think clarity often comes from deep contemplation.

As a thought experiment, I wanted to test myself and see if I could write a poem which referenced one hundred thing things I’m grateful for.

It’s a poem of appreciation for things that I may not always stop to appreciative.

In short, perhaps my greatest personal goal in life is to maintain a sense of humility, and a large part of that, to me, is about understanding just how fortunate I am at the end of the day.

I practice this in my daily life when I’m using “The Five Minute Journal.” It helps me to start my day with intention, and end it with gratitude.

NOTE: This post may contain some affiliate links. Simply put - some very small commissions may be received from some recommendations. Hey, it helps keep the lights on at travelingmitch

Without Further Adieu, Here’s My Gratitude Poem!

I underestimated, at least in the beginning, just how therapeutic this would be in a positive way. Sitting down to write a poem about being grateful is relatively easy at the beginning, but if you’re aiming for 100 things, then you’ve got to dive deep into the things that make you happy.

All said and done, I fit those 100 things into roughly 30 poetic verses.

I’m not suggesting it’s great, but I figure that if this brings a smile to your face, encourages you to write your own gratitude poem of any length, or simply practice gratitude a little more in the coming year - well, then that’s enough.

And, I’m not the sort of “poet” (and I use that title so, so lightly) who gets too deep into the dark web of my mind. I like to write poetry that’s playful, fun, and allows me to mess around with diction and language. You’ll see what I mean, I hope.

I’ll put each thing that I’m grateful for in bold, just so you can see all 100 things that I’ve included clearly.

I hope you’ll enjoy it, my friends.

———

I’m grateful for change, the ups and the downs,
Both happiness and sadness, the smiles and the frowns.
I’m grateful to writing for giving me pause,
To examine the world, for its beauty and flaws.

To cheese, I thank you for obvious reasons,
And I too must show love to all four of the seasons.
Next up on this list is my trusty canoe,
Cheers to good health, and down with the flu.

There aren’t enough thanks to share with my wife,
Much love to Bri, my partner in life,
I sleep with a smile because she’s on my right,
Plus she’s awfully pretty, and we rarely fight.

An ode to my mind, both wild and curious,
Some teachers loved me, and others were furious,
My brain’s a bit different, for better or worse,
But I see now a blessing, where I once saw a curse.

I’m thankful for books in more ways than one,
They gave me my bullets, my flag, and my gun.
I like the soft sound of traffic, with the moon way up high,
or a nice long walk, though I wish I could fly.

I adore a good drive all on my own,
And that one silly show where they battle for Thrones.
The Leafs, the Raptors, the Jays, and the Bills,
A really loud concert, with all of its thrills.

To not mention hummus would be quite a crime,
And soda water with fresh lemon and lime.
I love speaking new languages in far away places,
I love bold red wine, not bottles, but cases.

If you’re enjoying this post, you might also want to read my essay on why travel is important.

I’m thankful for family, I’ve got it quite good,
In the comfort of home, I’ve felt understood,
When it comes to my mom, we’re one and the same,
We’re both like tigers who refuse to be tamed.

My father’s guidance has changed my life,
He’s a calming voice during struggle and strife,
And then there’s my brother, my hero indeed,
I’m happy to follow when he’s in the lead.

Much love to beer for all that you do,
But the really good stuff, not Labatt Blue,
I sure don’t drink you like I did in the past,
Though the university days were truly a blast.

A little bit of praise for fresh veggies and fruit,
And to my Turkish pal Gürbüz, who made all my suits.
I must mention my friends before I forget,
And that strange chicken oven that you forget once you set,

I’ll take an old fashioned with a fresh orange peel,
I love blue, green, and red, and I don’t mind teal,
Let’s hear it for coffee, and also for tea,
I’m down with the insects, from crickets to bees.

I yearn for a moon, so full and so bright,
I do love the day, though not like the night,
I made a good teacher, I did love that,
And the gym brings me joy, and keeps off the fat.

I’m grateful to be born in the Great White North,
With the freedom of speech to talk back and forth,
Clean water, good soil, and a diverse population,
A good place to live, great for vacation.

To my cat, Kötü - yes, he made the list,
Because if he didn’t, he’d be noticeably pissed,
He’d figure it out, he’s smarter than Hawking,
When he’s meowing at us, he’s practically talking.

I’ve always been active, I’m grateful for that,
I thrive with a puck, not bad with a bat.
I love the Olympics, and the waving of flags,
On that glorious podium, not a shoulder could sag.

My hometown of Toronto, it needs to be noted
It’s where I grew up, and where I first voted,
Diversity, I know - it what makes us stand out,
And we all get along, in case you had doubts.

Though my office is small, it’s completely my own,
It’s where I run things from my computer and phone,
And I’m humbled and proud that my business is growing,
With plans for the future that don’t involve slowing.

Music, oh music, how could I forget?
I like it on vinyl, I’ll pass on cassettes,
Give me some indie, some electro, and funk,
Up at my cottage, on a bed or a bunk.

I adore maps, both the old and the new,
And my kindergarten teacher, who let me use glue.
I do love art, though can’t draw at all,
I still like the movies, but can’t stand the mall.

To my long-serving laptop, the one they call Mac,
In school and in business, you’ve had my back,
Some love for Steve Jobs, and to brilliant brains,
Those who enlighten, create, and explain.

If you’re enjoying this post, which is more thoughtful in nature than an itinerary, you might also want to see my favourite ancient travel quotes, or my article on the 50 most inspiring travel quotes.

To the podcast in general, podcasters at large,
It’s amazing what’s created, and how few charge,
It is now the age where information is shared,
Where you don’t need permission before content is aired.

I’m showing some thanks to the makers of pens,
And to camera companies that make a good lens,
To people who still build things with quality in mind,
Who put aside profit, to better mankind.

I want to thank manatees for being absurd,
I know I mentioned cheese, but what about curd?
To electricity, I think thee, for guiding the way,
Here comes the night, one flick, and it’s day.

To folks like Mr. Rogers and Mr. Dressup, too,
Who think of children, and all they can do.
Thank you in general to the old and the wise,
I hear your stories, and see into your eyes.

To crazy cartographers, and the makers of maps,
Who expanded perspective, and wonder, perhaps,
To folks who get up each time that they trip,
Who won’t be defined by a stumble or slip.

I respect the world’s forces much greater than me,
That help us ditch “I,” and start thinking in “We,”
It may be religion, a movement, a book,
That help us discover, to seek and to look.

I’ve got to mention you for reading all this,
Whether you’re a Mrs., a Mr., or Miss,
And not just this poem, but all that I do.
I couldn’t be me if it wasn’t for you.

To sunsets, the sunrise, the planets and stars,
To the everyday people, not presidents or czars,
Life is a journey, a moment, a vow,
Don’t wait for tomorrow, cherish right now.

So, There’s My Poem About Being Thankful

It’s not much, it’s not going to end up in a museum, but I loved the process, and I wanted to share this with you.

Sure, I’m write primarily about travel and so forth, but, at the end of the day, I’m more than a travel blogger, just like you’re more than a teacher, a lawyer, a shop-keeper, student, or any title you can give someone.

I know some people that are bitter, and feel they’ve been wronged by the world, and I understand that well. But I also feel that, sadly, bitterness only leads to further bitterness.

So, I’m doing my part to share a little laughter, and perhaps a smile or two. If you do decide to write your own gratitude poem, please share it with me either via email at chris@travelingmitch.com, or shoot me a message on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. You can also add it in a comment below!

I wish everyone well in the coming year, and thanks to everyone who took the time to read this little poem.

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