Let's see. I live in a part of the world where there is very low risk of earthquakes, volcanos, tidal waves, fires or famine. I live in a country that has not had an internal war in over 150 years, and whose government has remained intact for over 200 years; where the police and military largely obey the will of civilian, elected leaders; where there are extensive protections for free speech; and where there is minimal legal discrimination based on gender, race, or religion. I have more than enough food and shelter. I am in excellent health, and I have access to excellent health care. I can read and write, and I can read anything I want without fear of government harassment. I have unfettered access to the internet and all the resources it contains. I can pull a small gadget out of my pocket and in seconds be speaking to someone halfway around the world. I am happily married to an extraordinary person who is beautiful inside and out, and who thinks I am, too, in spite of myself. I believe that my child can have a life as good as mine, or better. Is everything about my life perfect? Of course not. It would be easy to find a counter-example to every one of those sentences. Nevertheless, I'd say my life is blessed. I'd say I won the great lottery.
I live in a country that has not had an internal war in over 150 years, and whose government has remained intact for over 200 years; where the police and military largely obey the will of civilian, elected leaders; where there are extensive protections for free speech; and where there is minimal legal discrimination based on gender, race, or religion.
I have more than enough food and shelter. I am in excellent health, and I have access to excellent health care.
I can read and write, and I can read anything I want without fear of government harassment.
I have unfettered access to the internet and all the resources it contains. I can pull a small gadget out of my pocket and in seconds be speaking to someone halfway around the world.
I am happily married to an extraordinary person who is beautiful inside and out, and who thinks I am, too, in spite of myself.
I believe that my child can have a life as good as mine, or better.
Is everything about my life perfect? Of course not. It would be easy to find a counter-example to every one of those sentences.
Nevertheless, I'd say my life is blessed. I'd say I won the great lottery.