So many of us are used to luxuries. Whether it’s good friends, a great family, or even non essential wants. We’re so wrapped up in the mindset of having all these great things surround us, that we don’t even realize how fortunate we really are. Once you realize how lucky you are, you start not to take things for granted.

For one, I’m so lucky to have the great, supporting family that I do. I realize how fortunate I am. I’m able to go on amazing vacations and trips with them, they allow me to do things and go out, provide for me and most importantly, care for me. However, not all families are like that. And that’s sad. I have friends and there are people I know who have difficult family situations. They talk about it with me but through it all, I realize how lucky I am to not have to experience that. I can come home to a happy family. Again, I have friends whose parents are divorced, separated, or who don’t get along with their families in general. But, I’m very fortunate that my home life is the way it is.

Secondly, having great friends and friends who care about you is also something to greatly appreciate. Through the past two years, I’ve gained so many new friendships and sparked old ones. I know I have friends who care about me, will be there for me and they’re friendships I’ll treasure forever. They’re close friends who make me laugh, who I spend a lot of time with, and who make my life so much better. Often, I realize how lucky I am to have these people. Seriously, I know I have people who would do anything for me. That’s something to be extremely grateful for.

Some people are wrapped up in the mode of “I need this,” or aren’t satisfied with what they have. If you’re lucky enough to be surrounded by people who are there for you, care about you, if you have a roof over your head and food on the table, why should you be complaining about not having the latest luxury or trend.

You should appreciate what you do have, though. Whatever the situation may be in your life, you have to stop and look around. Think about the positives you do have around you. Focus on what you do have in your life, not on what you don’t. If you focus on what you do have, you’ll be a lot happier. Not everyone in this world has the same luxuries as someone else, and that’s Ok. We all have different pieces that make our lives whole, and when we piece it all together, we have to look back and examine what it represents, and what we have.

Appreciate what and who you have, and never take things for granted. Life is what you make of it, so look around and see what you have. Take it all in, and know that your life wouldn’t be the way it is without the people and things, and in reality, you really do have it all.