80% of the world lives on less than $10.00 a day(1). 50% of the world lives on less than $2.50 a day. The fact that you are able to sit and read this article is a semi-miracle. Our ability to read, interpret and process information is a gift, not a right. We are lucky in so many ways - yet people continue to complain about their “lot in life”, regardless of how bad that lot really is. 

The chances that you were born in North America is extremely low. If you were born into a “modern” society, one that values freedom, education, health, innovation & diplomacy, you have already won. You have won The Ovarian Lottery, the greatest leg up you can have in life.

The world is filled with people who love to complain. They complain about how terrible their marriage is, how badly behaved their children are, how soul-sucking their job is, and frankly - how life sucks. And you know what? They are right. 

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.” 
― Henry Ford

Most people sit around and wait for their “lucky day”, the day where all of their dreams come true. They sit and pray, hoping they win the lottery, so all of their problems will be solved. What they don’t understand is - they’ve already won. Just by being born here, by being alive past the age of five, by having the chance to be educated in a public school system - you have won. You are in the top 20%. 

Life is hard - we know this. Next time you start to complain about how hard your career or life is, think of this.

• There are 7 billion people on the planet Earth
• 80% of them make less than $10 dollars a day
• 1.2 billion people have a disability
• 7.6 million children a year die before the age of 5
• 23 million Americans are addicted to drugs or alcohol
• etc….

—

What are you complaining about again? Remember - you have already won. Billions of people would trade anything to be in your position. You are the envy of the majority of the planet. You have already won the lottery. Now don’t waste that winning ticket. 

Sources:

1. http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats