We often measure our lives by what we lack—more success, more money, more recognition. But in the quiet moments, it’s worth asking: What if the very things we overlook are the greatest privileges of all? While we chase what’s “next,” millions of people around the world are simply longing for what we call normal. Clean water. A safe bed. A single meal. A kind word. What we take for granted could be someone else’s greatest prayer.
Here are 10 facts to help illustrate how lucky a normal life can be:
1. You have clean water to drink
More than 2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water. Simply turning on a tap is a luxury in many parts of the world.
2. You sleep with a roof over your head
Over 150 million people worldwide are homeless, and over 1.6 billion lack adequate housing. A secure home is not a given.
3. You eat at least one full meal a day.
Around 828 million people go to bed hungry each night. If you eat regularly, you’re doing better than millions.
4. You have access to education.
More than 260 million children worldwide have no access to school. If you were able to attend school—even for a few years—you’re among the fortunate.
5. You have access to medical care
Over half the world’s population cannot access essential health services. Having a doctor or clinic nearby is a silent privilege.
6. You are not fleeing from war or persecution.
Over 117 million people are forcibly displaced due to war, violence, or persecution. Living in peace is an extraordinary blessing.
7. You can read this sentence.
Roughly 770 million adults are illiterate. Being able to read and write is a powerful advantage we often take for granted.
8. You have a job or some form of income.
Hundreds of millions live on less than $2.15/day (the extreme poverty line). If you earn more, you’re relatively wealthy on a global scale.
9. You have loved ones who care about you.
Loneliness and abandonment are painful realities for many, including orphans, refugees, and elderly people left behind.
10. You are not living in fear for your life every day.
Many live in areas where crime, domestic abuse, oppression, or conflict are daily threats. Feeling safe is a silent fortune.
Gratitude doesn’t always come from having more—it often comes from realizing what we already have. A normal life, with its simple routines and steady comforts, is not small. It is sacred. And when we begin to see our lives through the lens of quiet blessings, we not only become more thankful—we also become more compassionate. Let our awareness not just make us feel lucky but move us to kindness for those still struggling to survive what we’ve been given freely.
With love and prayers,
Little-pencil
Little-pencil 