Gratitude

Friends, one of the biggest problems in the modern world today is the lack of gratitude. We simply don't say “thank you” anymore. We focus on what's wrong. We focus on what's missing. We focus on what's painful. We feel the world “owes” us -- and we suffer because of it. Let me tell you this: We're lucky. You and me? We'reINCREDIBLY lucky. By all rights, we shouldn't even be here. Do you know EXACTLY how lucky you are? Let me ask you two questions. Here's the first one: How many of you woke up this morning? If you did, I'm happy for you! You know why? It's no small matter. Because today, 232,000 people died all over the world. It's true. All over the world, 232,000 people were alive yesterday... but are NOT alive today. Everybody, breathe in. Breathe out. Isn't it great to be alive? Now here's my second question: How many of you are absolutely, completely, 100% CERTAIN... that you'll wake up tomorrow? Are you sure? Are you sure you'll wake up tomorrow morning? Tomorrow morning, when you wake up, when you breathe in, and you put on that goofy smile, and you realize you're alive...THAT is a miracle. And you realize that most of the things around you are evenBIGGER miracles. And you become more thankful just for being alive. But that's not all! It's not just the fact that you woke up this morning! It's also the fact that the people you LOVE woke up this morning. That they weren't part of the 232,000. We're lucky. We're surrounded by miracles. And we should be thankful for that. Thank you very much, my friends, and remember -- positive thinking isn't a technique. It's a lifestyle. So go out there. Look to the future. Take responsibility. Lighten up. Be thankful. And share. Tomorrow, if you see someone without a smile, give him one of yours. That way we'll change the world one smile at a time!