More Perspective...

While in the grocery store check-out line last night, I saw the cover of Oprah magazine which headlines, “100 Things That Are (Actually) Getting Better.”

You have got to be kidding me.

Now, I did not read the article, but it is a sad day in the United States when we have to buy a $5 magazine in order to recognize 100 good things in our lives. Let’s get some perspective here, people.

Yes, as a country, we are going through a tough time. My family has taken economic hits and made many adjustments in response to the times, as have Americans across the country. And while I realize that the foreclosure rate is at an all-time high, quite frankly, losing a house is a problem of people who are quite blessed. Only 12% of the world’s population even owns a home.

And yes, there is controversy about healthcare reform. But as Americans, most of us still have access to care. Phenomenal care. At The Children’s Hospitals and St. Judes, children are not denied care for inability to pay. This is the case at many hospitals. We have pretty good healthcare in the US, no matter how you look at it. Could it be better in some ways? Probably. But it is still better than what the majority of the earth’s population has available to them. Let’s not forget that. Had Peyton been born in a different country, or at a different time, she might not be with us today.

In the US, we also have: Clean water, food, clothes, shoes, vaccinations, public education, solid infrastructure, freedom of speech and religion, books, email, sunshine, friends, family, music, laughter, Superbowl parties and more. My list could go on and on and on. To way more than 100 things. I could type all day and never hit the end of the list. Sorry, Oprah.

Yes, we all have our down days. And I am not saying life is not stressful—some of the stuff is really hard; I get it. But when we start to feel like everything sucks and we have to look to Oprah for her “100 List” then there is a bigger hole inside that needs to be filled... Let’s all THANK GOD for what we do have and keep a healthy perspective on life. Recession or not. Political unrest, whatever…we all have great lives in the United States.

If you feel stuck, write a list of your blessings. And block out a chunk of time to do it. It will take a while…