There are always going to be times when we look at what someone else has and think, "Wow, they have a nice car," or "Wow, their house is huge." We are all guilty of being jealous at some point in our lives, or basically wishing we had something that we don't have. It's human nature. Next time you think that, look at the person who only gets one meal a day. Look at the person who can't afford a car. Look at the person who is homeless and going off what little change they can get from bystanders on the streets. Be thankful for what you have.
You are richer than you know.
If you have a house and a car, you are in good shape. We have to sit back and think of the people who work hard everyday just to put food on the table, while we are over here spending our money on things that we don't even need. You may feel like you are struggling financially because you can't afford that new car or to go on a nice vacation, but I assure you: if you can even think about spending your money on something like that, you are pretty well off. It's sad, and we don't like to think about it this way, but there are people out there wondering if they will get to eat today, or if they will get to shower because they can't afford to pay the water bill even though they work 40 plus hours a week. Be thankful.
Being thankful will humble you.
It's so easy to get caught up in the moments of "I need this," "I want this" and "I can't live without this." You will start to believe that you deserve all these nice things when in reality, you don't. I don't care if you have all the money in the world and you can buy anything you want at any time - nobody cares. The material things you have will only matter for a short while, and that's not what people will remember you for. What will last forever is what kind of person you are, and being thankful for what you have will bring out the best in you because you will begin to put others before yourself. Always be thankful, nothing less.
Always say "Thank you."
A simple "thank you" can go a long way. Even for the small things, like someone holding the door for you, to bigger things like someone paying for your meal or helping you when you break down on the side of the road. It's so important to say "thank you" because its not everyday that someone will go out of their way for you.
It's so simple. Just be thankful for what you have and what you are capable of. Even though jealous thoughts will run through our mind, outweigh them with a list of wonderful things you already have. Remember that our basic necessities are things we should mainly be thankful form such as food, clothing and shelter. It's the things we take for granted that we should be most appreciative of. Be thankful, be humble, and say "thank you."
