A friend told me a story the other day. They overheard a conversation in class between two girls. One of the girls was talking about how sick she was of her friend's boyfriend being so annoying. What was so annoying about the guy? He said he couldn't drop $200 on Kanye tickets AND couldn't spend a few hundred dollars on the big Spring Break trip the girls planned. The other girl, apparently, replied with, "But doesn't he, like, pay his own bills?"

Okay. So I can't say I don't know where the millennial stereotype comes from. It's just soooo unrepresentative of our generation. That's a story that sticks out to me and would stick out to most of the people I know. But yes, it was a conversation that truly took place.

Girl who said that, I know you're not alone. There are plenty of you running around, and you are all either irritated by people with less money than you or you're mocking them. Pretty disgusting either way. For those of you reading this who also find that whole scenario ridiculous, trust me I wanted to punch my keyboard as well, throwing aside the bewilderment of those who would see me do so.

But let's not forget what we have. There's a good chance that most of you reading this are pretty thankful for what you've got, but it never hurts to reflect. Because there's also a good chance that if you're reading this, there are a crap ton of people who wish they could have a Christmas half as good as the one you're going to have.

I think it is important that we all reflect on how lucky we are. Things can get tough, I know. Christmas might not even seem that great this year for some of you. Just don't forget what ya got. Without throwing in comments about Africans or Southeast Asians, I can still hit the nail here. Most or all of you reading this almost certainly have a better, bigger, warmer home than one in seven Americans, and that includes kids.

Now, I won't get all preachy. I don't want any of you to spend the holiday season sad about others. The reason we get sad about other people's misfortunes is that they don't have the good life things. If we wish for them to have those things, we should be living positive and happy lives with those great things we have. I'm not calling for any guilt or shame. I'm calling for gratitude.

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues, but the parent to all others" - Cicero

Depending on your different situations, figure out a way to make someone else happy. Make that one of your primary goals this holiday season. Maybe you'll decide you really should make sure your mom knows how great she is. Perhaps that person is your dad or grandparent. You might decide to reach out to a sibling, whether it be a sibling you talk to every day or one you hardly ever communicate with. Maybe you'll realize your significant other deserves a whole lot of love and kindness these days. And, if nothing else, hopefully some of you will perform an act of kindness for someone less fortunate. Wouldn't it boost the happiness you'll already experience if you know you made Christmas for someone, who has things a little worse off than you, better? It just feels good, trust me. Do it for them, do if for yourself. Whatever the reason, it never hurts to do some good.

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted" - Aesop

Whether you're a parent stressing about buying your kids presents, a single person anxious about being alone, or a college student who knows nothing right now except for finals, it's always good to take a step back and realize that everything is, as Darius Rucker said, alright.

P.S. - if you're looking for a feel-good story or maybe some motivation to be kind, check out this video!