Why am I so blessed? My conversation with a young prison inmate left me reminiscing over my childhood. My parents modeled right and wrong and loved my sister and me and each other—blessings I took for granted growing up. Spending time with those who’d never tasted those basics adjusted my thinking.

Gratitude comes more naturally for some than for others. But we can all learn to cultivate it. We don’t have to spend time with those who have less to recognize the gifts we’ve overlooked, but opening our eyes to other’s trials can make us aware of our blessings.

Larry’s parents owned and managed a small grocery store. They worked long hours and never had a lot to show for it. One day Larry, a typical teen, whined over not having the most popular brand of sports shoes. His dad invited him to join him on a ride. He walked with Larry down a street where the homeless of Phoenix lived. Larry saw a man navigating the sidewalk on a homemade skateboard. Stumps had replaced his legs. Larry felt the strength in his own legs, and name brand tennis shoes lost their luster.Continue Reading