Remember the saying about the man who complained of having no shoes until he saw a man who had no feet?

I’m not going to lie, it is hard to think beyond struggle, hunger, or a traumatic situation. To tell someone who was just in an accident and their car was totaled to be thankful they’re still alive may get an agreement or it may get you cussed out, depending on how attached the person was to the car or that they just got it or that it was the car of their dreams. But that they survived is really the blessing. That someone they loved wasn’t in the car and got injured or worse is the blessing.

But I can’t fault them for their temporary anger. I have been in situations that have made me wonder what if’s and why’s about situations and circumstances. But I know that my choices played a big role in the outcomes.

I have never been wealthy and don’t know if it would have made me a happier person, but I know that I am rich. It took me a long time to realize this: I am very healthy for a person my age; I have beautiful children and grandchildren and family; my circumstances are no longer dire; I have resources and access to more if needed; and I am loved. And I know that my choices played a big role in those outcomes.

Are you really missing something?