Couldn't sleep so got up early to do some work. Here I was at 4am, it's freezing and dark outside, and I'm in in a warm, well-lit space with a warm cup of copy (that's what I call decaf coffee), simultaneously connected to the rest of the world through technology... I've been thinking lots lately about just how fortunate we are these days, especially in the West, and how incredibly easy it is to take it all for granted. RANT: The media has long been known to spin stories that will sell, regardless of their effect on the masses. That's what leads to many of our fear-driven societal issues: careless media. These days, it's social media. Just go on Facebook to that one (or many) friend's page that posts about everything that's wrong with the world: eating animals, plastic and overfishing in the oceans, deforestation, political unrest somewhere, mass shootings... pick one. Then let yourself get overcome with dread and worry about our planet, and all yourself, "Where Did It All Go Wrong?" Then once you've done all that, SNAP THE HELL OUT OF IT! We would all do ourselves a favour (and the world, too) to realise that not so very long ago, we didn't even have homes with electricity and running water! - The White House didn't have running water until 1833. - Not until 1925 did half of the homes in the US have electricity. That's less than 100 years ago. And in that 100 years, we've surpassed 99% of our wildest expectations of what *could* be accomplished in the realms of science and socio-economics. BOTTOM LINE: If you're prepared to dismiss the incredible successes and creative power of the #HumanSpirit , due to the current problems we've identified (and are largely working to overcome), then your cup will NEVER be full or even half full...always half empty... mostly empty... completely empty... in fact you probably threw your cup away out of guilt. INSTEAD, practice some #Gratitude for what has already been done, the ' #ShouldersOfGiants ' you get to stand on, and the price that your ancestors paid to get you here. Then, with renewed vigor and belief in yourself and all of humanity, stand beside your fellow man and help us continue to strive forward!