I'm lucky

I'm lucky

I'm American and Caucasian - there's a lot of luck right there.

I'm educated (bachelor of Science, little post-grad)

I was just reading an article about someone in a particular regime who survived torture. I've never been tortured.

I have a job and insurance. Not quite as much as I'd like, but probably far more than most.

I have a mortgage underwater, but we're paying our bills. I'm not homeless. Many are.

I'm still married, but that's a miracle to me. Long story.

I have a house and multiple vehicles. Where we live, it's not a major deal to have some acreage and multiple vehicles, but I know it's a luxury most don't have.

I have multiple dogs. I'll happily give one away, but the rest we'd like to keep. I know many people can't have pets where they live.

I have major medical conditions, but I deal with them. Many don't have insurance. My medical condition is chronic and fatal, but I have help. Many don't.

As the saying goes, I don't know where I'll be 100 years from now, but I know where I'll be tomorrow. As it happens, that's more than most people can say. I do have a bed tonight and a dog or two to join me and my wife. We'll be okay.

Whenever I think something sucks, I always realize that someone, somewhere, has it worse. It's important to keep your life in perspective. I'm not dying from 110+ degree heat in India, I wasn't buried in an avalanche, I have various luxuries that I'm tempted to take for granted.

I remember being at an AA meeting and hearing from someone who was partially paralyzed, abused, thrown against walls, had teeth knocked out, and so much more. I'm lucky. I haven't had anything close to make my life miserable.

Perspective is important, but sometimes hard to come by.