Why Focusing on What You Have (Not What You Lack) Changes Everything After 50

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

The Gratitude Shift That Changes Everything

I’ve lived long enough to learn one of life’s most important lessons: gratitude isn’t just a nice idea-it’s a survival skill. At 73, I’ve discovered that focusing on what I have instead of what I don’t have has completely changed how I experience each day.

When I was younger, I was always chasing the next thing. I watched young people around me collecting trucks, motorcycles, and countless possessions, jumping from one pursuit to another like they were “jackrabbiting around.” I did the same thing. But age has taught me something different.

The Comparison Trap

The biggest enemy of gratitude is comparison. When we look at what others have, more money, better relationships, nicer homes-we rob ourselves of joy. I learned this the hard way. Every time I compared my life to someone else’s, my attitude shifted from appreciation to resentment.

Here’s what I know now: you have one life. You’re born, you’ll die, and everything in between is your story. We must make the best of what we have while still working toward our goals. But when we can’t get everything, we want (and who can?), we need…