when you're feeling down .

So, lately I've seen some tweets and blog posts about people who know people who are going through hard times.

During tough times, it's so hard to think about anything other than yourself, and how you'll get through the situation. It seems like no one else in the world can possibly understand what you're going through. You feel alone, miserable, frustrated, angry, hurt, and as if things can't possibly get better.

And during not so tough times, you wonder "Why can't I have all these things?", or "I wish I looked more like her."

But you know what? It will pass. And, you should try to put things in perspective.

We've all gone through terrible breakups, deaths, accidents... and do you remember how you felt at the time? Now, think about where you are today. Doesn't that incident seem so far away? Yet, you can remember the emotions you felt at the time. Today, you are stronger than you were back then. Because hopefully you learned a lesson. You learned acceptance. Or you learned forgiveness.

And, I really don't mean to put anyone down, but it really helps to put things in perspective to people in worse situations.

Ask yourself these questions:

~Do you have access to clean drinking water?

~Do you have access to food and meals?

~Do you live free from fear that your own government will come to hurt you, rape you, kill you, maim you, take your children?

~Do you have more then $0.85 in your wallet?

~Is there at least one friend or family member who loves you?

~Are you able to work in a safe environment that pays fair wages?

~Are you able to browse the web with no restrictions and make blog posts about anything you want?

If you answered yes to any or all of the above, then you, my friend, are in a wonderful place. Millions of people would give THEIR LIFE to trade places with you. Please don't ever forget this, and don't take this lightly.

(And YES believe it - these are questions that MILLIONS of our fellow human beings CANNOT answer yes to!)

If you don't believe me, read here and here

and here

.

Please please ~ my intention with this post was not to make anyone depressed, or feel guilty. I think it's just good to always be aware, and to keep things in perspective. And to remember just how blessed we are with the things we have and the people in our lives.

p.s. yes, my blog is random.