Even in uncertain times, it’s always important to keep things in perspective.
True wealth is the ability to fully experience life.
– Henry David Thoreau
- You are alive.
- You are able to see the sunrise and the sunset.
- You are able to hear birds sing and waves crash.
- You can walk outside and feel the breeze through your hair and the sun’s warmth on your skin.
- You have tasted the sweetness of chocolate cake.
- You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night.
- You awoke this morning with a roof over your head.
- You had a choice of what clothes to wear.
- You haven’t feared for your life today.
- You have overcome some considerable obstacles, and you have learned and survived.
- You often worry about what you’re going to do with your life – your career, your family, the next step, etc. – which means you have ambition, passion, drive, and the freedom to make your own decisions.
- You live in a country that protects your basic human rights and civil liberties.
- You are reasonably strong and healthy – if you got sick today, you could recover.
- You have a friend or relative who misses you and looks forward to your next visit.
- You have someone with whom to reminisce about ‘the good old days.’
- You have access to clean drinking water.
- You have access to medical care.
- You have access to the internet.
- You can read.
The truth is you’re doing better than a lot of people in this world. And while you may not have ALL of the aforementioned right now, you get the idea. So remember to be grateful for the things you DO have. Because in the end, the secret to being grateful is no secret. You choose to be grateful for the little things, again and again. (Read “1,000 Little Tings Happy, Successful People Do Differently“.)
Photo by: Vinoth Chandar
Thayer Walker says
Thanks Marc, this is stuff I know but today was the day I needed this reminder…. Refreshed my outlook for the upcoming week and holiday season, which can be a difficult time of year for me personally. Thank you. Also, I love your 1,000 Little Things and Little Habits books!
Stella says
Although many of us struggle, we also have little blessings in our lives that we often overlook. I thank God for His little mercies…please forgive me for not saying thank you enough.
Thanks a lot Marc and Angel for reminding us.
Marsha says
I loved reading this article. I feel truly blessed for so many reasons. I have multiple sclerosis, diagnosed 1986. I am almost 70 years young. Not only can I see a sunset, I can paint sunsets. I started painting because I was a cosmetologist and make-up artist who no longer could stand and work. I love working with my hands. What a joy to know I can paint beautiful landscapes, oceans, flowers. There is no end to what the human spirit can accomplish when we never give up but open up to more and better. Life didn’t end for me, it opened a new passion. Anything is possible when you are open to change. Loved this article and appreciate those who shared it.
Terri says
Interestingly, we don’t realize that we are in the top 10% of the wealth in the world if we had enough to eat today, if we have a roof over our heads, and if we have enough clothes to wear. Sobering to think that even at what is considered the poverty level in this country, it is still in the top levels of the wealth in the world, although there is still work to be done. Anyway, good food for thought for me right now. Thanks.
Paige says
Basic needs having been met IS very important, but no one can truly feel grateful without connection to others. If your parents/caregivers were even remotely loving and interested in your wellbeing, this is HUGE. Child abuse is a life destroyer and becoming older does NOT mean that you somehow shake it off. If you grew up without significant abuse, you are very lucky.
Angelcat47 says
Paige, you are absolutely correct about this, but speaking from experience, things can get a lot better. I was sexually abused by my father as a child and my mother did nothing about it, even after I told her. I don’t know how old you are, but I just turned 61. I spent a lot of time in therapy, learning to cope with this and it has really changed me . I learned to forgive them, not because they deserve it, but because I do. Forgiveness is a gift to yourself so you can stop carrying the pain and anger from your childhood into your adult life. If you haven’t tried therapy to help you to cope with it, please do so. It’s very freeing and you will learn a lot about yourself. The most important thing I got from therapy is this: you can’t understand where you are going if you don’t understand where you’ve been. God bless you, honey.
Cheyne says
I live in London. It’s Winter. I have a day job. No birds singing, no waves crashing, no warmth on my skin. It’s still dark when I leave for work in the morning, and it’s dark when I leave to go home.
None of that matters though, I don’t get put out by this type o’ stuff. Happiness is what you make it on an average day. I am blessed in many ways.
Halima says
Absolutely spot on
But just because ones problems aren’t as big as someone else’s doesn’t mean it doesn’t count
Of course we should be grateful but that doesn’t mean we don’t allow ourselves to feel the pain, anxiety and all the negativity life throws at us just because we feel that someone else has it worse.
That’s not fair on us but your points do help, they’re basically bright hope to cling to and keep moving.
richard marx says
We pray that number 12 will be felt more and more here in our country and around the world. There is certainly hope.
Reno says
Nevertheless, she persisted! Happy Thanksgiving.-Reno
Mohammed Braimah says
Thanks for the many things you are doing for humanity. God bless you for being a vessel for some of us to cross.
Anita says
Happy Thanksgiving, Marc & Angel! I’m grateful for your newsletters. They’re wonderful 🙂
Esosa says
Thanks a lot, Marc and Angel for reminding us to be Grateful for all the little and Big Blessings.