If you are reading this, that means you are blessed to be literate, have access to electricity, access to technology, and a place to sit inside (or the resources to have mobile internet access). If you’re reading this on your own computer, you’re almost certainly in the world’s top 5-10% of wealth.

I’ve spent the last few days enjoying the luxury of a road trip with my partner, visiting with a friend, and enjoying professional sports with tens of thousands of other people. When I hear people around me complain about some small inconvenience, I want to remind them how very lucky we all are to be where we are.

But it’s easy to forget. It’s easy to focus on all the things we don’t have, the things that aren’t going right, the people who haven’t treated us the way we want to be treated. When I find myself forgetting, I pull out my gratitude journal and enter 10 things every day that I’m grateful for. I use the #grateful and #gratitude tags on Twitter. Could be oatmeal. Could be sunshine. Could be having a bed to sleep in and blankets and heat to keep me warm.

I find when I am consistently grateful, life becomes even easier and more blessed – things flow more effortlessly. I see the Universe as constantly showering us with presents. Who is more fun to give presents to: someone who is grateful and cheers each new gift, sharing her blessings with everyone around her? Or someone who shrugs and complains and hoards and constantly asks for more?

If I want a new present, wouldn’t it be a good idea to send a thank you letter for the ones I’ve already received?

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