contrasts

Around 10AM on Thursday I had an email from an old friend who is battling depression. She says she finds it hard to enjoy life.

Around 2PM on Thursday I was sitting in a room listening to a 24 year old soon-to-be ex US Marine talking about his seven years of service, including the one year tour in Iraq he finished this past March.

This guy doesn't find it hard to enjoy life. On the contrary: he said these past few months have been the best months of his life. He loves his country, he loves to be alive, and he is looking forward to the rest of his life.

I am not saying that my depressed friend should just snap out of it. It's not that simple. But I am saying that we would all do better service to the world if we woke up each morning with gratitude, where ever we are, and where ever we have been before.