"All the woulda-coulda-shouldas
Layin' in the sun,
Talkin' about the things
They woulda-coulda-shoulda done...
But all those woulda-coulda-shouldas
All ran away and hid
From one little did"
-Shel Silverstein

It is time to stop being greedy. It is time to stop complaining about what you don’t have and start appreciating what you do have. You will never be happy if you live thinking in the mindset of what “could’ve been.” Way too many things are being taken for granted. Way too many people are not living with a grateful heart.

The simplest things in life are being expected instead of valued. People are forgetting that waking up in the morning under a blanket, in a bed, in a home, is not something that every person in the world gets to do. So many people are complaining about the fact that the model of their sports car is only a 2014, while there are people who have to ride a bicycle, or even walk to get where they need to go. So many people are upset over the fact that their filet mignon came out well done when they asked for it medium rare while there are children who haven’t eaten a single thing for days.

I won’t pretend like I am not guilty of taking every day little things for granted. We’re only human, after all. However, I think it’s time we all start being grateful for these privileges because that’s exactly what they are, privileges. We don’t all have the luxury of waking up in a home with people that love us. We don’t all have the luxury of driving a vehicle, whether it’s a 2016 model or a 1957. We don’t all have the luxury of having a meal at least three times a day. We are becoming selfish. We are becoming unkind. We are becoming lackadaisical.

You cannot choose the cards you are dealt, only how you play the hand. You are either a problem or a problem solver. When misfortune strikes, you have two options. You can either:

1. Wail about what could’ve, would’ve, or should’ve been and watch the days go past and waste your time completely.

Or you can:

2.Accept the situation for what it is, be optimistic, and find a way to repair damages done that way you can get on with your life, with your best foot forward. Find solace in the littlest of things.

Once you start loving, respecting, and admiring the little things in life, the big things will feel so much more important and rewarding. Once you realize that your “simple things” in life can be everything to someone else, you will begin to grow a kind and grateful heart. Your kindness will flood the world. You will be happy. You will love deeper. You will live life with no fear of what could’ve, would’ve, or should’ve been.

You will live because you did.