Fortunately, there are abundant opportunities available to all of us. Unfortunately, there is so much opportunity that most take it for granted. In fact, many can't even see it. This has led to a growing population of ungrateful and entitled Americans.
The Declaration of Independence emphasizes "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The most important word in that phrase is pursuit. Pursuit is an active verb. You have to move your feet. You have to hustle. You have to make it happen. Happiness isn't just going to land in your lap or show up in your mailbox (if there are still mailboxes when you read this).
I have some very simple advice that will help you combat this entitlement and ingratitude epidemic. It will help you in your pursuit of a happy life. It's called "Please and Thank you".
You are already a very polite little boy. Please don't let those habits atrophy as you grow up. You can defeat an entitlement mindset with the word “please”. Ask for what you want, but say please. Please assumes that you aren't entitled and that if you are going to get something that it must be shared by someone or something else. That sharer may be me, another family member, a friend, a stranger, nature or whatever Higher Being you choose to believe in.
When you ask for what you want, sometimes you will hear no. That's okay (but sometimes it's actually a "maybe later" in disguise. Please refer back to the word "pursuit". We'll talk about critics, cynics, naysayers, and not taking no for an answer at a later time).
If the answer is yes, be grateful. Say thank you. Say thank you again! Show appreciation. As Jack Canfield has said, “Gratitude is the single most important ingredient to living a successful and fulfilled life."
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