One of the things I have always had trouble with is realizing the things I had.

I grew up in a reasonably stable home for the first part of my life. Sure, it went a bit awry as I approached my 14th year, but before that, things from my perspective anyway were pretty good. I have never had a time when I worried about having food, or shelter, or basic necessities. I have never really wondered how I would get by.

Unfortunately, I don’t seem to have ever realized that. Some part of me keeps focusing on what is missing, or what I wish I had. That Buddha guy had it right: The problem with life is wants. You can have everything you need, but still have unfulfilled wants that make you miserable. It is even worse in my case because I have no idea what it is exactly that I want, I just know I haven’t found it.

I need to spend more time looking around at what I have and the good things in my life, rather than wondering what else might be.

The Fourth Commandment: Be Thankful