Better Than You Think

I like to think that I'm an optimist but really, deep down, I'm a realist.  I do tend to have a sunny view of things and expect that good things will happen but my gut will tell me when I'm being ridiculous.  Or when I shouldn't trust someone or something.  Ask my friends, my built in BS detector is amazingly accurate.  I don't know how many times I've commented about something not being right about a person while others tell me I'm not giving them a fair shake, or that I don't really know them, only to have them show their true colors & I'm proven right.

This isn't about me being right, but it's about being real about life.

Life isn't always pretty.  It isn't always fair.  There are times it's hard and there are times when things just downright suck.

But do they really?

A friend of mine shared this post on Facebook today.  Jackie is one of those people who makes things happen.  She's someone who dreams big and who lives big.  She mocks my love of Bloody Marys & has deemed them only fit to drink at brunch.  She also tells me when I'm fabulous.  Apparently I'm fabulous a lot in her eyes.  We all need friends like her.

So, if you're thinking that life sucks.  Or is so hard.  Or that it's so unfair, take a minute and read this.  Your perspective will change.

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

1. You are alive.
2. You are able to see the sunrise and the sunset.
3. You are able to hear birds sing and waves crash.
4. You can walk outside and feel the breeze through your hair and the sun’s warmth on your skin.
5. You have tasted the sweetness of chocolate cake.
6. You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night.
7. You awoke this morning with a roof over your head.
8. You had a choice of what clothes to wear.
9. You haven’t feared for your life today.
10. You have overcome some considerable obstacles, and you have learned and survived.
11. 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.
12. You live in a country that protects your basic human rights and civil liberties.
13. You are reasonably strong and healthy – if you got sick today, you could recover.
14. You have a friend or relative who misses you and looks forward to your next visit.
15. You have someone with whom to reminisce about ‘the good old days.’
16. You have access to clean drinking water.
17. You have access to medical care.
18. You have access to the Internet.
19. You can read.

The truth is, you’re doing better than a lot of people in this world.  So remember to be grateful for all the things you do have. 

Yeah, my life rocks too.