There are people who drive really slowly for no reason. There are people who ask if the class needs to turn in an assignment when the professor forgot about it. There are people who FaceTime while walking on the sidewalk. These are people I do not want to associate with. However, these are not the worst types of people. The worst types of people are the ones who aren't grateful.
Have you ever heard a child living in poverty complain about not having the latest iPhone? No – because they are grateful for what they do have. I have had the opportunity to work at various kids camps and afterschool programs over the years, and I have seen grateful children and entitled children at play.
When I worked at a camp, where parents pay $100 a day for one child to attend, the children felt entitled. They would throw away entire lunches because they like ham, not turkey. They would scream if I wouldn't let them throw putt-putt balls in the pond.
When I worked at an afterschool program for a Title One school, the children were thankful to be there. They got snack and dinner – something many of them didn't receive at home. There were kids who didn't have clean clothes for days, but they didn't say anything about it. They just had fun with the other kids in a safe environment and were happy for it.
It gets different when you get older. We see what other people see that we don't have. But ungrateful people don't even see what they have. They have running water, a bed to sleep in and a place to call home. They have the basic human needs, yet they don't appreciate it. The people that are ungrateful aren't the ones who have nothing. They are the ones who have everything. There is someone who wants to be in your shoes – literally. Because they have no shoes.
Let's practice being grateful. Your father left your mother. She is left to take care of your siblings and you on her own. It's not easy and it's not fun. However, you are learning to do things on your own and you have a mother who is the strongest person you know. She leaves you wondering how she does this on her own. You are so fortunate to have a warrior as a mother. Your mother deserves a Father's Day, too.
See! That was fun! Let's try again. Everyone around you has the Apple Watch and latest Michael Kors bag, and your Wanelo is overflowing with things you are craving to buy, but you have no money. Why does everyone have things you can't? There are two possible reasons: someone worked hard enough to afford it, or their parents bought it for them and that person didn't learn how to work for something. You can learn from this! You may not be handed things, but that teaches you how to work hard.
Good things will happen to people who seek positivity in all situations. Look around and see how blessed you are. You were given all your fingers and toes! You have a house and a car and a pet! You are so fortunate. Life will give you bad days and sub-par situations to deal with, but that does not mean the universe is out to get you. Be grateful for what life did give you and go from there. Ungrateful people aren't the ones who have nothing. They are the ones that have something but want more. Don't associate yourself with these people. Don't be one of these people. Only see what you do have and what you will have, you will be a happier person.
