18 Things I’m Grateful For Today

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Sometimes I find myself taking things for granted, or comparing myself to those who seem to have it all. Sometimes I need to remind myself that I also have it all, and I am infinitely lucky that this is the life that was given to me.

1. Being alive.

116,549 people have died today.

2. Having access to clean water.

775,455,231 people have no access to clean water.

3. The food in my fridge.

22,893 people have died of hunger today.

4. Being literate.

Approximately 1 billion people are illiterate.

5. Having a home.

An estimated 100 million people are homeless.

6. My safety.

5,000 people die in Syria each month.

7. Having electricity and running water.

Over 1.4 billion people still have no electricity.

8. The clothing in my closet.

1.5 billion people live in extreme poverty.

9. Being mentally and physically healthy.

4,516,760 deaths caused by cancer this year.

10. Having access to medical care.

7,138,834 people died of communicable diseases this year.

11. Being free from oppression.

24.5 million people live under an authoritarian regime in North Korea.

12. Having loving parents.

Approximately 40 million children below the age of 15 are subjected to child abuse each year and 132 million children are orphans.

13. Having caring friends.

Between 1985 and 2004, the number of people in the US who said there was no one with whom they discussed important matters tripled, to 25 percent.

14. That High School Diploma in my drawer.

Children out of education worldwide: 121 million.

15. The university education I will get at a great university.

Only 6.7% of the world has a university degree.

16. That my parents are paying for said university.

There are approximately 37 million student loan borrowers in the US with outstanding student loans today.

17. Having unlimited access to information with my internet connection.

About 4.5 billion people don’t have regular access to internet.

18. My leisure time.

An estimated 218 – 250 million children are involved in child labor.

Sources: worldometers.info, UNESCO, slumdogs.org, The Daily Beast, UN, World Bank, WHO, and American Student Assistance.

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