A lot of people, myself included have been guilty of taking things for granted at times. No matter what you do, who you meet or what you get, there is always something more!
It is important to strive – but sometimes you need to stop and appreciate what you have already done or have; otherwise you may end up feeling like the dog running in circles – never catching its tail.
No matter what your life situation is right now – what you want but don’t have, or everyone is against you, or that you never have any luck – it is time to stop, re-evaluate and decide….that’s right, DECIDE what is important to you, right now.
I am currently in Thailand for 3 months and if there is one thing I like most about traveling to non-western countries, it is the ability to feel a deep sense of gratitude for being born where I was and being able to live the life I have so far.
Let me tell you that there are a lot of people out there in this world who go without the most basic things that we take for granted and probably don’t give a second thought too. If you ever want to feel more grateful for what you have or for those around you, an easy way is to go out and experience how other people live in some countries – you will soon see that your average life isn’t so average.
This article isn’t about donating money or fixing the worlds problems by words. I just want to bring awareness to what you already have in your life.
Things like:
- Sewage treatment
- Storm drains
- Clean drinking water
- Big grocery stores with fresh food
- Clean clothes
- Air conditioning or fans
- Well-constructed homes
- Safe electricity with proper grounding/earth
- A bed
- A car
- Disposable income
- Showers
- Hot Showers
Do you have clean drinking water, a place to sleep, a place to sleep in a well built house? Do you have heating, clean clothes, a grocery store or supermarket nearby to buy refrigerated fresh food? Did you ever feel grateful that you had those things?
Above is a common Thai house. It’s not one house by the way but several houses joined together. Maybe this is your idea of paradise and I’m not here to judge but for most of us – would you like to live in this building with no floors, metal sheets laid for a roof in a place where the “cool” temperature at night time is 25 degrees celsius or 77 Fahrenheit? That rental home isn’t looking so bad now is it?
I could keep going with the list above, but I am sure you get the point by now. Did you know the average Thai construction worker makes $137 US a month? $137 US dollars per month! That’s about $147 AUD or 88 pounds. PER MONTH – and they work from the early morning until night. Don’t forget at least 6 days a week. What about holiday pay or sick pay? Definitely not.
The truth is, if you are from a country of opportunity like me, you are already extremely lucky and you have the resources and opportunities to succeed. Did you know that most of the top 10 billionaires today were born to poor families and inherited absolutely no wealth? Think Richard Branson or Oprah Winfrey, who have become some of the most inspiring leaders of our day.
As Warren Buffet would put it, you have won the ovarian lottery, just by being born in places like the UK, USA, CA, Australia and other western countries you have the opportunities to build yourself up in your lifetime from literally zero to billions. Yes, there are opportunities everywhere, and they are available for everyone.
These countries provide free education, medical help, money for the unemployed to name a few of the big ones. You have access to all of these right now, just by having the opportunity to get a good education and a good job you are already luckier than a large majority of people in the world.
I don’t know about you but it gives me a different perspective now when I hear people complaining about the most trivial of things like how slow their pizza took to cook or how long they have to wait in line for something. Puts everything in perspective for me.
If you are guilty of taking things for granted, and to be honest, I think we all have been occasionally, cut out all of these little petty things and focus on the real challenges in your life. There may be many challenges that you will have to face so don’t go around inventing more when you don’t have to. Do this and appreciate what you already achieved and you will be on your way to a happier you.
One of my favorite sayings is from a song filled with life advice called “Wear Sunscreen” and it goes something like this:
“The race is long, and in the end it’s only with yourself”
Define what success means for you and don’t put other people down along the way, celebrate your achievements and praise others’ achievements even more.
Now stop, step back, consider all of things you already have and all the tools and resources that are available to you right now. Life isn’t so bad, is it?
You don’t have to look very far anymore Greg, I am an African, born and bread in Nigeria. Been in Nigeria all my 26 years on earth, and certainly know and feel what you are saying in this post.
But despite it all, I can still stand as well as others out there in other less developed nations and guess what we are grateful for?
The opportunity to make a difference despite our seemingly difficult realities!
Thanks for the post. It does take a thoughtful heart to be grateful. You must have one, 🙂
Thank you Tito. Love what you said that we all have opportunities to make a difference in others lives – no matter what our own circumstances.
Yes, Greg does have a thoughtful and grateful heart
I’m and Aussie born and bred and I feel extremely lucky to be where I am. I’ve always felt we have the best of everything. I cont myself lucky that I get up every morning knowing that I am able to supply food and a roof over our heads for my family.
I know there are many out there who are less fortunate which is why I try to do my bit by supporting two kids in third party countries through World Vision.
There are so many ways to support others….World Vision is one. It must be satisfying for you to know you are making a difference to these children and their families.
Sometimes we need to be reminded what we have in our lives and be grateful. Not necessarily just the material things we have, but also the freedom to make our own choices.
It sure is, especially when you get updates on how they’re going, complete with photos so you can see them grow.
Over the years we’ve helped about a dozen or so because as they get to the stage where they can look after themselves the people at World Vision look to those others who need their help.
Awesome post Greg. Sometimes i do feel like why am I born in this country (Nigeria) but at the same time, i do give thanks to God because some people in other countries don’t enjoy life. It’s always good to give thanks and appreciate what you have. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Couldn’t agree more Samuel. “Things” do not bring about happiness and enjoyment of life.
Appreciation is a wonderful thing to do
You created some great points there. I shared with my friends and it created a wonderful discussion
That is wonderful this article bought about a discussion with your friends. Thank you for your comment
Lovely thought inspiring post. Keep up the great writing
Inspiring thoughts on a subject I am very interested in. Thank you
This is so true. I come from India and have very little but I am appreciative of my family and friends
Thank you Rosario and Dan for your comments. Ernest, there are things to be appreciative for wherever you are located. Happy that you have shared this with us
I discovered just what I needed when I was reading this post. One of those light bulb moments. Thank you.
Glad to have helped Joseph. Those light bulb moments are to be treasured and acted upon
This is such a wonderful post. It’s true, you forget how wonderful it is to have sewage processing plants. It sounds so little, but really it’s huge, and it makes everything else we have possible.
Thanks for the reminder
The small things are often the big things – it is just that we take them for granted. A great reminder for us all.
Thank you for visiting my site.
The content in this site is fantastic. Keep it up
Great read – good info
You have given me the kick start I needed today. Reading this made me realize my life really isn’t so bad.
The person who wrote this post is a great person. I have come from situations like this, and now I appreciate everything in my life. Thank you
Superb post and you are a great writer. Love this post – I do appreciate my life…maybe a little bit more now
Your site and in particular this article gives great insight to what we take for advantage.
Really appreciate this post. I have only realized recently what is importnat to me and fully appreciate all those little things now
Your post made me realize how much I have in my life already. An eye-opening experience reading this
Great info and made me stop and think. Thumbs up again for a great post!
Well written – liking this site a lot
Having travelled a lot loved this article so true
Hi! Just want to let you know I have been reading your posts for quite a while – just love your thoughts on so many topics – really loved your earlier ones on meditation too
Great info as always! Thumbs up!
This is a wonderful web site – fantastic information across a range of topics. can’t wait to read each one
Good article again! Thank you
Thank you all for your wonderful comments. They are very much appreciated 🙂
TYVM for the information. Loved this post
Enjoyed this post a lot, as i do with most of your writing. Written from your heart, I can feel that. Keep up the great work
I have learn a lot from your article and i will come back and will check more comments on your blog.
You have done a marvelous job with your articles – love them all!
Thanks for this – having traveled quite a lot myself, I can really relate to this post.
Never take anything for granted any more – never realised how fortunate I was until I travelled
Well done. Loved your point of view. It looks like you have put a lot of effort into your post and this world needs much more of these views these days.
Excellent read,
Thanks for sharing this useful information! Hope that you will continue with the kind of stuff you are doing.
Thanks for sharing this. Love this site and the way uyou write
Great post, Love it. Keep it up. Thanks again.
Enjoying your insights into this topic. Looking forward to reading more
Just wanted to express my appreciation for this website – thank you
My first time to your site – I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me with your thought provoking articles.
Awesome article and right to the point. Loved it.
I wanted to write a note to express gratitude to you for the awesome tips you are giving out at this website. This article and your others are great. Thanks once again for all the details.
This article is pretty worthy – made me appreciate what I have and my ability to change things.
Thank you Daria. It is good to appreciate all the wonderful things we have in our lives.
Thank you <3
You’re welcome Jordan 🙂
Thank you so much for this. I really needed this because I haven’t been appreciating the things that mean the most to me lately.
My pleasure Ryan and thank you for visiting Mind Recipes.
I think it is something we all need reminding of occasionally – appreciating all those little things – for they are the big things 🙂
I really like what you have wrote it touched me and I learn a lot about my current situation by reading just what have written.
thank you a lot
Thank you Lina. I am very happy this post has touched you.
Welcome to Mind Recipes.
Good day! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a
new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us
valuable information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!
Thanks , I’ve recently been searching for info about this topic and really enjoyed your article – thank you
Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Yes yes yes 🙂
Thank You so much
My pleasure