The Quiet Gifts We Overlook
By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar
Have you ever stopped to think about how much we take for granted? The things we breeze past every single day hot water, a decent meal, a roof over our heads. For someone else, those same things are like winning the lottery.
Take water, for example. We twist a faucet, and out it comes. No fanfare, no effort. But somewhere in the world, someone’s trekking miles under a brutal sun just to get a bucket of it. And they don’t waste a single drop. Me? I’ll leave the tap running while brushing my teeth. It’s shameful when you think about it.
And it’s not just the stuff we can hold in our hands. Ever think about how lucky we are to have someone smile at us? Or say a kind word when we’re having a rough day? A little kindness can go a long way like a warm coat in a cold snap.
Here’s the thing: we’re so used to having things that we don’t even notice them anymore. They fade into the background, like elevator music. But just because we don’t notice doesn’t mean they aren’t gifts. They are. And they’re priceless.
I had to learn this the hard way. There was someone in my life—someone who was always there. Their laugh, their advice, even their nagging it was part of my daily rhythm. But when they passed, I realized how much I’d been taking for granted. Now, I’d give anything for one more conversation, one more piece of their cornbread.
It’s funny how losing something can open your eyes to its value. But why do we have to wait for loss to appreciate what we have? The Creator whispers to us all the time, nudging us to pay attention. But we’re busy scrolling, stressing, or chasing after the next thing.
Let’s talk about the chase for a second. You know that feeling like you’re always trying to catch up, always wanting more? More money, more likes, more validation. But what if the “more” we’re scrambling for is already here? What if the blessing isn’t what’s next but what’s now?
Every breath we take is a miracle. Every meal, no matter how simple, is nourishment. Every friend, even the ones who drive us crazy, is a blessing. And even the hard stuff the struggles, the setbacks they come with lessons tucked inside. You just have to sit still long enough to unpack them.
And let me tell you, generosity isn’t about how much you have. It’s about how much you’re willing to share. A loaf of bread, a listening ear, even a heartfelt prayer they all carry weight. You don’t have to be rich to make someone’s day better. You just have to care.
So, here’s my challenge to you and to myself: slow down. Look around. Take stock of the little things we’ve been ignoring. Notice the sunlight sneaking through the blinds, the smell of coffee brewing, the way your friend laughs like they don’t have a care in the world.
Because these “little” things? They’re the big things. They’re life’s way of reminding us that we’re loved, that we’re cared for, that the Creator is present in every moment, big or small.
Let’s not wait until it’s too late to see it. Let’s honor what we have, right here, right now. And when we do, let’s share it with someone who might need it more than we do. Because in the end, giving is just another way of saying, “I see you. And I care.”
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