I recently heard a story of a young man; so young he can barely drink alcohol legally, which got locked away in prison. This man made a terrible mistake and he will pay the price, whether he regrets it or is truly a great person inside who made a mistake… he committed the crime.
This man will be serving 80 years in prison.
Realize that most people do not live to 100 years old in this day and age, even when they are extremely healthy unfortunately.
Do you think someone in prison is going to be healthy enough to live to 100? Not a chance. Well in his case, his life will be spent in prison. His entire life.
I really want you to comprehend the thought of this before reading further into this article.
It hit me hard and the thought ran through my mind for days after hearing of this person and to be completely honest… I am thankful. I have been more positive ever since.
Many people I talk to tell me all the time how young I am and how I am yet to experience what life truly has to offer. Well… in this young mans case, he is yet to have those experiences as well and prison isn’t promising very many experiences for him…
Appreciation- The recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something.
When I look at this word, I realize two things about it.
First being that every single person on this earth embraces the enjoyment of the good qualities of something or someone…
The second being that probably 50% of those people who enjoy these things in life, do not give the recognition to the person or thing they’re enjoying… that is the sad part.
So today I want you to practice something simple, but definitely not easy.
First step is to write out every single thing and person you love, cherish, feel as though you cannot live without and overall truly appreciate in life.
[Do not go on writing things like “My BMW… My BMW’s rims… My BMW’s sound system, etc.]
Once you have a decent list of the things and people, I want you to get ready to close your eyes and imagine.
Imagine you are this young man and you will be locked away in a prison for the rest of your life. Pretty scary thought, I know.
Now what would you have done differently? Who would you have thanked? What thing and person will you think about every single day?
Now realize this, you are not this young man… thank god!
You have every single day on this earth to truly appreciate who and what you have. This is the most powerful tool to being happy and living a happier lifestyle.
Most people are stuck in the things they want or do not have… it’s a pity party, one that will get them nowhere!
Constantly thinking of what we don’t have and feeling sorry for ourselves is a fast track to nowhere. Start embracing what you DO have and how important it is to you that you have these things in your life.
The moral of the story is simple… we all have amazing things in our lives that we enjoy, all the time. But we don’t actually appreciate them. Read that definition again if you really think you do, it says recognize and enjoy. Not just enjoy.
So today, go tell someone you love them.
Embrace the feeling of having a life you can control.
Recognize those people and things around you that others may not have, but you have the pleasure of enjoying on a regular basis.
Hope this hit home for you all as it did for me…
