Not the life your parents planned.
Not the life you imagined as a kid.
Not the life planned for retirement.
Not the life depicted in social media.
Not the life expected by high school friends.
Not the life anticipated at college graduation.

But this life, the one you are living right now.

The one with real bills.
The one with real failures.
The one with real victories.
The one with real dirty diapers.
The one with real relationships.
The one with real uncertainties.
The one with real physical pains.
The one with real sleepless nights.
The one with real stresses and deadlines.

There is a beauty here, even now.

A hand to comfort another.
The smile in a lovers eyes.
The laughter of a friend.
A cold drink of water.
The pet in your lap.
A prayer to heaven.
Your child's smile.
Local landscapes.
The sun to warm.
A morsel of food.
Muscles to exert.
A beating heart.
A mind to think.
Eyes to behold.
A quiet space.
Ears to listen.
Your breath.

If you have one from the list, you win.

The world screams to remind you of all you lack.

Remember what you have.

You have permission to be thankful.