I've been thinking about how to create more awareness of my website, and one way I thought of is to put some of my tips and tricks on YouTube. Along the lines of practical tips, my mind also went to more existential questions. I think I could probably write some quick, humorous tips on some big life questions and generate some interest that way. That is how this essay was born.
I don't know you or your situation. I am, however, familiar with human dynamics, so I can make some general assumptions about that. People are much more prone to emphasize the negative and overlook the positive in our lives. I have learned that the universe gives you what you focus on, which is not good news if you are emphasizing the negative. It's really just a matter of being more conscious of what you are thinking. Be intentional about being positive.
One of the core beliefs I have learned is that no matter how bad you think things are right now, they can always get worse. Back during the years I was actively deteriorating, I would complain about something and then, weeks later, after I had gotten worse, I would wish I were where I was when I had first complained. Eventually, I decided to stop complaining altogether and just be happy with whatever capabilities I had.
The last core truth about life that I will bring up right now is that circumstances are constantly changing. Your perspective can also shift. A good night’s sleep, or heck, just waiting till the next day, can change how you see things. This is because your brain works as you sleep, so you can wake up with new connections and thoughts on how to do things. If you understand your tendencies, you can examine your thoughts and weed out the unhelpful opinions from the facts.
Being grateful means being able to value what you have. Do you like where you live? Do you like the family and friends you have around you? The vast majority of people, I think, do not appreciate how good they have it. A lot of Americans are not doing well right now, and they are still far above the level of other countries. (OK, but that doesn't help when you have to pay the electric bill or rent.)
Yes, it's all relative, but I'm trying to change your perspective about your life. You can be grateful for the littlest thing. I can see. I can hear. I can walk. (Well, I can‘t, but you probably can.) I can smell. I can swallow. I can poop. (Trust me, be very glad you can do this on your own.) I have a car. I have a place to live. I have a pet. (Whoa, now you're talking luxuries!)
At a basic level, it doesn't take much to be rich. Not wealthy in the way most people think about it, but abundant in the ways it really matters. If you didn't have those things, you would be hurting. And if you don‘t, I sympathize with you and apologize; I cannot give you more concrete advice. This essay is for the majority of Americans who have these things and still hurt because they want more. The operative word being ‘want’.
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