Are You Richer Than 75 Percent of People in the World?

As Thanksgiving approaches, this is a perfect time of year to be grateful for the abundance of happiness, health, love and prosperity in your life. To some people, these gifts may seem lacking at times. This information will give you some idea of just how blessed you really are. Sometimes, in the midst of plenty we forget to give thanks for all that we have. This is a great reminder.

1. If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than seventy five percent of the people in the world.

2. If you can attend a church or synagogue meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

3. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are more blessed than five hundred million people in the world.

4. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in a dish, you are among the top eight percent of the world's wealthy.

5. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

Waking up every day with more health than illness is a special blessing because health makes it possible to enjoy the other good things in life. Since optimal health is our most valuable possession we need to remind ourselves frequently that the choices we make help to determine not only the quality of our daily lives but also the length of our lives.

What is the true meaning of Thanksgiving to you? Is it simply just another day to eat until you can no longer get up off the couch and then eat some more?

Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays because it is a time of giving thanks for all I have in this world. Thanksgiving is a golden opportunity to give thanks for the miracles in my life, family and friends, my health, the happiness and love that each and every one of us has in our lives.

I am extraordinarily thankful for the opportunity to volunteer and serve my country in the United States Navy. This is my choice and I thank all those who have served before me to defend this great country. If there are grievances against my commander in Chief at any point in time you ALL must voice your opinions. My advice to you is this, don't let the freedom of convenience surrender your freedom of choice which many have perished to protect. Thank you for giving me your trust in defending America, "the land of the free".