November is typically a time to be thankful for the things in your life, but we should be thankful all the time. Whenever I question if I’m being selfish or overdramatic about something, I look and think of others who may not be as fortunate as me to have the things I own or have the opportunities to do what I do on a daily basis. Sometimes it can be difficult to do that because in that moment we feel as if our worlds or lives are a mess and are falling apart. Everyone is entitled to feel like that, but in the end things will work out and be fine. Easier said than done though.

Sometimes I have really bad days where I want to cry all day because things are just getting tough or stressful. Everyone deals with that and everyone has their good and bad days. Just try to take a step back and look at the bigger picture at times. These are some things I think about when I’m having a bad day or think that the world is crashing.

• I have a roof over my head. Not many people have that or are fortune enough to have a place to call home. So be thankful for that, especially once the weather gets colder.
• I have a family that loves me. Not everyone has family in their life, whether they passed or they just don’t speak to them. Whatever or whoever you consider your family to be, be thankful for them.
• I have the opportunity to go to school.
• I have food on the table. Unfortunately, world hunger exists both here in the states and in other countries.

The simple things, like having a cell phone, having a bed and having food on the table, add up. Not everyone in this world is fortunate enough to have them. Working toward bettering yourself and wanting nicer things is great. It's not something to be ashamed of, but it's important to also remember where you came from. What it took for your parents, or whomever, to get you to be in the position you're in right now with the things you have.

I know it’s easy to get caught up in everything and think you may want, or need, more. Sometimes it’s a matter of taking a step back and realizing that your simple world is a magical world for others.