You have an amazing life. Truly. You have access to more knowledge, wisdom, and information than any generation in the history of mankind. You can learn anything, explore anything, and connect with anyone right in front of you, in seconds. And you’re already using it. That’s remarkable.
But did you think about that when you opened your computer today? Did you think about how lucky you are to be alive right now? Our life expectancy today is nearly double what it was just 150 years ago. That alone is incredible. Yet we don’t throw parades for longer lives. We don’t celebrate the miracle of being here at this exact moment in time. No one is marching down the street holding a sign that says, “I get to live on average for 78.7 years!” — but maybe we should.
The truth is, we have more to be grateful for than any generation before us. And what’s even more encouraging is that in ten years, we’ll likely have even more to be grateful for than we have today.
There’s a Chinese proverb that says: We count our miseries carefully and accept our blessings without much thought. It’s true. And most of the time, we don’t even notice we’re doing it.
So here’s something simple to try. When you’re about to close your eyes at night, pause for just a moment. Think of something you are grateful for from the day you just lived. It could be small. It could be something ordinary. Just acknowledge it. You’ll sleep better because your mind won’t be racing ahead to tomorrow, and over time, you’ll begin to carry gratitude with you throughout your day. You’ll see more of the good that’s already here.
Because there really is no time like now.