"An unexamined life isn't worth living." (Socrates)

Have you found yourself asking, "Where has the day / time / year gone?

It is all too easy to let days, weeks, months, or even years slip by without taking stock or evaluating our actions and interactions.

We can become angry or bitter over a comment that we assume had a negative or harmful intention. Perhaps we heard it out of context and assumed the worst. Maybe we said something cutting or harsh pretending it was a joke. But we knew it was meant to hurt.

What if we took some time each evening to look back on our day. We may ask ourselves a few questions such as: Where did I see or experience beauty or joy or love? Did I speak life to someone, give a complement, receive a complement, smile, offer a kindness?

When did I feel angry, hurt, sad, unappreciated? Did I fail to be kind, thoughtful, helpful? Where should I try to improve?

For what am I thankful?

Just acknowledging what happened, being honest and grateful can give us joy and a sense of appreciation. Recognizing our shortcomings can make us better people. Giving thanks helps us see we are more blessed than we otherwise think.

An examined life can result in happier, better people. How about you?