Moral Lessons

Young guy uplift the old guy to reach the ground

September 6 2021

How to Be a Good Citizen in 14 Ways

Someone making an offering at the church, one of the four types of giving according to the bible.

What does it really mean to be a good citizen? If you’ve been asking yourself this question, then you’re not alone. With everything that’s happening in our country (and the world) right now, the definition of being a good citizen tends to vary for every person. Most of the time, it’s based on their political views and their stand on certain issues.

But being a good citizen goes beyond the black and white of politics. It doesn’t matter which side of the political spectrum you’re on. What matters is how you make this country a better place to live in.

If you don’t know where to start, here are some suggestions on how to be a good citizen:

1. Be Patriotic

The dictionary defines patriotism as the love for or devotion to one’s country. This is why being patriotic is one of the most important qualities of a good citizen.

You see, when you love someone, you only want the best for them. The same thing applies when you love your country. You don’t want it to come to harm. Rather, you want it to improve and be the best that it can be. And if necessary, make sacrifices for it to achieve greatness.

2. Give Back to the Community

As citizens and human beings, we are morally obliged to look out for our brothers and sisters in need. It’s what makes us a society. So if you want to be a good citizen, give back to your community. Donate to charities and volunteer in non-profit organizations. Help the poor and the sick. Start a fundraising activity for a worthwhile cause. Whatever it is, as long as you make other people’s lives better, then you have already done your duty as a citizen of this country.

3. Be a Productive Member of Society

To be a productive member of society means actively contributing to its betterment. The operative term here is “productive” which is the same as “useful”. That’s why being one is essentially the basic requirement of being a good citizen. A productive member of society is someone who is of use to the society he/she belongs to. They are the ones who make a positive contribution to the country. In short, a good citizen.

4. Take Part in Social Issues

Admit it or not, most of us tend to take part in social issues only when it concerns us. But being a good citizen also means getting involved in issues plaguing the country – even if it doesn’t directly affect you. This doesn’t necessarily mean going out in the streets and taking part in rallies and demonstrations. Just being aware of those issues and educating others about them is a good start. Though actively doing your part to solve those issues would be much better.

5. Vote

Voting is one of the ways you can show your country that you care. Whether it’s your local school board or the national elections, your vote can make a change. It’s not just a right but a responsibility. Besides, there are so many people in the world right now who are robbed of the right to vote. Don’t waste that opportunity given to you.

6. Mentor Someone

Sharing your knowledge is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your country. If our ancestors didn’t share their knowledge, no civilization would flourish. So go ahead. Mentor someone. Ask your local school board for any after-school teaching opportunities. If you have a particular skill you want to share, you can also offer internship opportunities to the youth in your local community.

Young woman teaching the kid at the classroom

7. Cultivate Your Skills and Talents

Your talents and skills are your best contribution to the country. Whether you’re skilled in the arts, sciences, or sports, your country has benefited from it in one way or another.

If you’re making a living from it, the taxes you pay are used in nation-building. And if you compete in international events, you bring honor to the country. As such, your country will benefit a lot more if you cultivate whatever skills and talents you have.

8. Keep Your Home in Order

The family is the basic unit of society and the home is where someone’s values and beliefs are formed. Thus, keeping your home in order is already making a positive contribution to society.

9. Follow the Law

The law might be harsh or unfair at times but it is the law. And it’s your duty as a citizen to follow them and encourage others to do so.

10. Treat Others With Respect

Being a good citizen means treating everyone with respect no matter who they are or where they come from. Remember that how you treat others reflects the kind of society you were brought up in. If you don’t know how to respect other people’s culture, beliefs, and traditions, then what does that say about your country?

11. Stand up to Injustice

Every day, millions of people are experiencing injustice all over the world. Yet, only very few have the courage to stand up against it. But remember that as long as most of us are turning a blind eye to the injustices happening around us, there can be no real change. Besides, it’s our duty as citizens to defend those who cannot fight for themselves.

12. Conserve Resources

A country’s natural resources are its greatest assets. That’s why doing your part in conserving those resources is already a service to your country.

Besides, resources like water, in particular, are vital to people’s survival. You may not think much about not turning the faucet off or not fixing a leaking pipe but in some areas, all that wasted water can already cost a life.

13. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Just like conserving resources, a good citizen should practice the three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Reducing your waste keeps the landfill from overflowing with trash. It also keeps potentially toxic materials from rivers, streams, oceans, and waterways. While reusing and recycling materials saves money and resources. It helps your country save on waste disposal costs. Plus, it ensures that raw materials are turned into new products reducing the need for virgin materials and conserving the country’s resources.

14. Pay Your Taxes

This goes without saying. Paying taxes is an obligation for every income-earning citizen. And if you want to be a good citizen, you must pay your taxes diligently. Your taxes are used to build roads and bridges, fund schools, and pay the military. If you don’t pay your taxes, how will the government do all those?

Being a good citizen may not be that easy but it’s not that hard either. All you need is a little bit of selflessness and a whole lot of love for your country and its people. But at the end of the day, it still boils down to your choices. So make sure to choose to be a good citizen every single day.

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About The Author

Judy Ponio is a full time blogger and is devoted to topics about charity, kindness, and Christianity. She is part of Correct Digital, Inc which is paid by private donors to provide website digital marketing services to this non-profit organization.

March 25 2021

Moral Compass: What Is It and How to Use It

Content Team Moral Lessons 0

Published March 25, 2021

Despite all the evils in this world, most of us, at the core, just want to be good human beings. We want to make the right choices and avoid making wrong decisions. What we usually don’t count on is that the question of what is right and wrong may yield different answers from different people.

You see, what is “good” for one person may not necessarily be for others. And what other people consider as “bad” might be different from yours. So how then can you know that you’re making the right choice? That’s where your moral compass comes into play.

What Exactly is a Moral Compass?

The dictionary defines moral compass as the person’s ability to judge what is right and wrong and act accordingly. Some people also define it as a set of values that guides our decision-making, affects our actions, and defines us as a person.

In essence, a moral compass is just as its name suggests. It points us in the right direction. Even if all of us have different definitions of right and wrong, our moral compass provides an objective standard. It doesn’t just help us see what is right and wrong. It also helps us see what must be done for the greater good even if it may not be beneficial for us.

Without our moral compass to guide us, it’s so easy to just do whatever is convenient for us – nevermind if it’s right or wrong. It becomes so easy to stretch the truth whenever it benefits us or do things without thinking of the consequences – both for us and for others. We become selfish, greedy monsters who only care about our own needs and wants.

Opposite arrows pointing to right and wrong representing moral compass.

What Influences a Person’s Moral Compass?

According to Dr. Todd Hall, all human beings are born with a moral compass. We all have that innate sense of what is right and wrong. As we grow older, those instincts may grow or fade or become so twisted and corrupted.

You see, a person’s moral compass is influenced by their life experiences, the environment they grew up in as well as many other factors.

As young children, our parents tell us what we should or shouldn’t do. We look up to them and learn from their actions. This gives us a basic concept of what is right and wrong. But what really hones that concept is the desire to please our parents and the people we look up to.

I mean, if you ask a child to lie, chances are they’ll tell you they won’t do it because it’s bad. But from that, you can also see their fear of disappointing their parents. They don’t want to tell lies because they know their parents will get angry at them. They know that their actions will have consequences. That’s how a person’s moral compass is formed.

As we grow old, the lessons we learned from our experiences can either strengthen or weaken our childhood values. We adapt to our environment and with that comes inevitable changes. We cease to become the person that our parents raised us to be. Instead, we forge our own identities with a unique set of moral principles and beliefs. These moral values determine our moral compass.

How to Use Your Moral Compass

If we look at the dictionary’s definition of moral compass, it has two elements:

it’s the ability to determine what is right and wrong
act accordingly

This means that your moral compass will only work if you act on it. You need to allow it to guide you when making decisions no matter how small it is.

According to this article, there are three basic steps to using your moral compass:

1. Gather Information

Don’t just rely on what you know to make a decision. Gather as much relevant information as you can. That way, you can view the situation from different angles and foresee possible consequences.

These pieces of information can be from a previous similar experience and what you’ve learned from it. They can also be from other people’s opinions or even the moral standards set by society. You also need to look at your values and your understanding of what needs to be done.

2. Evaluate Your Information

After you have all that you need to know, you need to evaluate those pieces of information. From there, you can formulate a response that will not only fit your values but also will not cause harm to others.

3. Decide and Act

Once you’ve made a decision, make sure to act on it. Be firm but don’t forget to empathize. Remember that your actions will affect not just you but others too. So consider your decision carefully. There will always be risks to every decision. You can’t always predict what will happen after you do something. But if you follow your moral compass and stand firm for what is right, then that is good enough.

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A father learning how to be a role model.

February 18 2021

How To Be a Role Model in 10 Ways

Content Team Moral Lessons 0

Published February 18, 2021

Everyone has someone who looks up to them. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, brother, sister, boss, or even a friend, chances are there’s someone who considers you as their role model.

Though everyone can be a role model, not everyone can become a good role model. You see, a good role model is someone who others want to follow. They command respect and admiration because of how they conduct themselves and inspire others.

But being a role model also entails a huge responsibility. When someone looks up to you, it means you have a considerable amount of influence over them. They’ll hang on to your every word and tend to imitate your actions. So if you want them to become better human beings, make sure you set a good example.

Here are 10 ways you can be a good role model for others:

1. Be Confident But Not Arrogant

It’s good to be proud of your achievements but not to the point of arrogance. This can be a tricky one since there’s a very fine line between confidence and arrogance.

To help you gauge yourself, remember that confident people inspire others with their achievements. While arrogant people have to put other people down just to prove that they’re better than them. People tend to follow someone who inspires them, not those who make them feel bad about themselves. Besides, if you’re putting others down, how can you be a good role model for them?

2. Practice What You Preach

A real role model walks the talk. They don’t just tell people about what to do, they show them how to do it. They stand for what they believe in, no matter how hard it can be. Standing up to your beliefs lends you greater credibility and establishes you as someone with a strong moral fiber. Now, that is someone worth imitating.

3. Work Hard For Your Goals

Do you think a person who constantly slacks off makes a great role model? I don’t think so, too. You see, people respect hard work, especially if they see you beat all the odds and emerge successful. It inspires them to work hard for their goals too.

4. Be True to Yourself

Some of the most inspirational people in history are those who weren’t afraid to be themselves. They are the kind of people who didn’t care about societal norms. They were trailblazers who, rather than walking a well-trodden path, were brave enough to make a new path of their own.

Treating others with respect is one way of being a role model.

5. Treat Everyone With Respect

Respect begets respect. That’s one of the most basic rules in life. So if you want to inspire respect in others, you need to treat everyone with respect too. And by “everyone”, I mean everyone – no matter where they came from or their situation in life. Remember that the true measure of one’s character is in how one treats those who can do nothing for them.

6. Inspire Positivity

According to this article, people who emit positive energy naturally draw others in and many also tend to seek out their company. That’s what being a good role model is. It’s about inspiring optimism in others. You inspire them to see the brighter side of life and see the silver lining, no matter how dark the skies may seem.

7. Be a Good Listener

If you want to influence others, you must learn how to communicate with them. And a great communicator is someone who knows how to listen. They listen with a view to understand rather than to judge, to empathize rather than to condemn.

8. Always Strive to Learn Something New

If you’re reluctant to go out of your comfort zone, then how can you inspire others? You see, inspirational people are those who aren’t afraid to face a challenge head-on. They’re always hungry for knowledge and they never get tired of reinventing themselves.

9. Show Humility

As mentioned above, there’s nothing wrong with being proud of what you’ve become. Sharing your success story is one way of inspiring others. But you don’t have to brag about it. Truly successful people don’t find the need to broadcast what they have and what they’ve done. Instead, they use their resources to help others attain their goals too.

10. Give Back to the Community

This is inarguably one of the best ways of setting up a good example. When you give back to the community, you inspire others to do the same too. It creates a domino effect that brings the whole community together to help its most vulnerable members. Charity, after all, should be a community affair.

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February 4 2021

What Are Moral Values?

Content Team Moral Lessons 0

Published February 4, 2021

You may not realize it but every moment of our day, we make a moral decision. From the moment you wake up until you go to sleep, your moral values are constantly put to the test. Even simple acts like making your bed or coming to work early involve a moral decision. That’s how moral values affect every facet of our lives.

Yet, the question of what moral values are seems to stop most of us in our tracks. If I am to ask you now what your moral values are, you’d probably think of honesty, respect, courage, and the like. But these traits are your values. And, as you will learn later, not all values can be considered moral values.

So what then are moral values? In this post, we’ll define moral values and how they motivate us.

Moral Values Definition

To define moral values, we first need to define the two words that made it up: values and morals.

In a philosophical context, values are traits that are considered desirable. As mentioned, this includes honesty, respect, and courage among others. But even though we tend to think of values as something good, it may not always be that way.

Courage, for example, in certain situations can come off as foolish bravado. While some people may view honesty as tactlessness. In short, values are relative. It can be good or bad depending on the situation and the person. But it’s also because of this that values tend to be more personal. Each of us has certain traits that we desire. They motivate our actions and reactions to people and circumstances.

Morals, on the other hand, are defined in the dictionary as a person’s standards of behavior depending on what they think is right or not. It governs our behavior and defines our intentions in everything that we do. It’s more than just what society thinks you should do. It’s that basic instinct of right and wrong common to all humans.

Moral values involve choosing between right and wrong.

With these, we can define moral values as relative values that are fundamental to human existence. They are born out of experiences that we can all relate to, regardless of who we are or where we came from. A value becomes a moral value when it’s intended towards protecting and respecting life and making life better for everyone.

To give you a better perspective, think about the values mentioned above. Honesty, courage, and respect can be considered moral values but only when they are intended to protect life or enhance life for all.

For instance: if you are being honest only when it suits you, then it’s not a moral value. Everyone is capable of honesty, courage, and respect, even the most violent terrorists. But what sets us as a person with moral values apart is that innate desire to protect life and improve other’s quality of life.

Moral Values vs. Ethics

Most of the time, we confuse moral values with ethics. Though they are dependent on each other, they’re quite different.

As mentioned, moral values guide a person to act on what is right and good for everyone. While ethics is the willingness to do the right thing no matter the cost. In short, ethics is moral values put into action.

For instance, moral values like justice tell a person to fight for what is right. But an ethical person will not just stand by and watch when an injustice is happening. They will do something to correct it even if it endangers their life.

This is why moral values without ethics are useless and ethics wouldn’t exist without moral values. Knowing what to do is different from actually doing it. But you cannot do the right thing if you can’t tell the difference between right and wrong.

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A mother reading her daughter short stories with moral.

February 4 2021

10 Lines Short Stories With Moral Lessons for Kids

Content Team Moral Lessons 1

Published February 4, 2021

When trying to impart an important moral lesson to kids, short stories are often the go-to for most parents. It not only tickles their imagination, but it also teaches them about life.

Short stories have a way of teaching lessons that makes them more relatable and interesting. Rather than just telling your kid not to lie, relating a short story about it helps them understand what happens when they lie. It helps them become more aware of their actions and their consequences. The moral lessons from these stories also help shape their character and moral compass as they grow old.

Here are 10 short stories with moral lessons that your kids (and even some adults) will learn a thing or two from:

1. The Hare and the Tortoise

There was once a hare who was friends with a tortoise. One day, he challenged the tortoise to a race. Seeing how slow the tortoise was going, the hare thought he’ll win this easily. So he took a nap while the tortoise kept on going. When the hare woke up, he saw that the tortoise was already at the finish line. Much to his chagrin, the tortoise won the race while he was busy sleeping.

Moral of the story:

There are actually a couple of moral lessons we can learn from this story. The hare teaches that overconfidence can sometimes ruin you. While the tortoise teaches us about the power of perseverance. Even if all the odds are stacked against you, never give up. Sometimes life is not about who’s the fastest or the strongest, it’s about who is the most consistent.

2. The Dog and the Bone

Once there was a dog who wandered the streets night and day in search of food. One day, he found a big juicy bone and he immediately grabbed it between his mouth and took it home. On his way home, he crossed a river and saw another dog who also had a bone in its mouth. He wanted that bone for himself too. But as he opened his mouth, the bone he was biting fell into the river and sank. That night, he went home hungry.

Moral of the story:

If we always envy what others have, we’ll end up losing what we already have, just like the greedy dog.

3. The Thirsty Crow

After flying a long distance, a thirsty crow was wandering the forest in search of water. Finally, he saw a pot half-filled with water. He tried to drink from it but his beak wasn’t long enough to reach the water inside. He then saw pebbles on the ground and one by one, he put them in the pot until the water rose to the brim. The crow then hastily drank from it and quenched his thirst.

Moral of the story:

If there’s a will, there’s a way. Every problem has a solution if we just look hard enough and don’t give up.

4. Lazy John

There was a boy named John who was so lazy, he couldn’t even bother to change his clothes. One day, he saw that the apple tree in their yard was full of fruits. He wanted to eat some apples but he was too lazy to climb the tree and take the fruits. So he lay down underneath the tree and waited for the fruits to fall off. John waited and waited until he was very hungry but the apples never fell.

Moral of the story:

Laziness can get you nowhere. If you want something, you need to work hard for it.

5. The Fox and The Grapes

Once there was a hungry fox who stumbled upon a vineyard. After seeing the round, juicy grapes hanging in a bunch, the fox drooled. But no matter how high he jumped, he couldn’t reach for it. So he told himself that it was probably sour and left. That night, he had to sleep on an empty stomach.

Moral of the Story:

Most of us have the tendency to act like the fox. When we want something but think it’s too hard to attain, we make up excuses. We tell ourselves that it’s probably not that great instead of working hard for it.

The fox and the grapes - one of the 10 lines short stories with morals.

6. The Ant and The Grasshopper

The ant and the grasshopper were good friends. In the summer, the ant works hard to fill his storage with food. While the grasshopper was enjoying the fine weather and playing all day. When winter came, the ant was lying cozily in his home surrounded by the food he stored during the summer. While the grasshopper was in his home, hungry and freezing. He asked the ant for food and the ant gave him some. But it wasn’t enough to last the entire winter. When he tried to ask the ant again, the latter replied: “I’m sorry my friend but my food is just enough for my family to last until the end of winter. If I give you more, we too will starve. We had the entire summer to prepare for the winter but you chose to play instead.”

Moral of the story:

Winter, in this story, represents a time in our life where food and resources are scarce. While summer is that time where everything is abundant. So if you have a lot right now, save some of it for the winter.

7. The Boy Who Cried Wolf

There was once a shepherd boy who liked to play tricks. One day, while he was watching over the herd, the boy decided to play a trick and cried “wolf! wolf!”. The people who heard rushed over to help him. But they were disappointed when they saw that there was no wolf and the boy was laughing at them. The next day, he did it again and people rushed to his aid only to be disappointed once again. On the third day, the boy saw a wolf devouring one of his sheep and cried for help. But the people who heard him thought this is just another of the boy’s pranks so no one came to help him. That day, the boy lost some of his sheep to the wolf.

Moral of the story:

If you always lie and cheat on other people, there will come a time when no one will believe you anymore.

8. The Ugly Duckling

Most of us have probably heard of this story as this is one of the most popular fairy tales in the world. The story revolves around a duckling who from the moment of his birth has always felt different from his siblings. He was always picked on because he didn’t look like the rest of them. One day, he had enough and ran away from the pond he grew up in. He wandered near and far looking for a family who would accept him. Months passed and seasons changed but everywhere he went, nobody wanted him because he was such an ugly duck. Then one day, he came upon a family of swans. Upon looking at them, he realized that during the months he spent looking for a family to call his own, he had grown into a beautiful swan. Now he finally understood why he never looked like the rest of his siblings because he isn’t a duck but a swan.

Moral of the story:

We shouldn’t be too quick to judge others based on their physical appearance. Just because someone doesn’t fit societal definitions of beauty doesn’t mean they’re ugly. Each of us is beautiful in our own unique way and it’s time we accept and celebrate that individuality.

9. The Lion and the Poor Slave

There was once a slave who was treated cruelly by his master. One day, he couldn’t take it anymore and ran away to the forest to escape. There he chanced upon a lion who couldn’t walk because of the thorn in its paw. Although he’s scared, the slave mustered his courage and took out the thorn in the lion’s paw. When the lion was finally free of the thorn, he ran into the forest and didn’t harm the slave. Sometime later, the slave was caught by his master along with some animals in the forest. The master then ordered the slave to be thrown into the lion’s den. When the slave saw the lion, he recognized it as the same lion he helped in the forest. The slave was able to escape the den unharmed and he freed all the other animals.

Moral of the story:

The good you did will always have a way of coming back to you. So do good deeds and be kind to others and the world will be kind to you.

10. The Elephant and the Ants

There was once a proud elephant who always bullied smaller animals. He would go to the anthill near his home and spray water at the ants. The ants, with their size, could do nothing but cry. The elephant just laughed and threatened the ants that he would crush them to death. One day, the ants had enough and decided to teach the elephant a lesson. They went straight into the elephant’s trunk and started biting him. The elephant could only howl in pain. He realized his mistake and apologized to the ants and all the animals he bullied.

Moral of the story:

Be humble and treat everyone with kindness. If you think you’re stronger than others, then use your strength to protect them instead of harming them.

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A picture depicting one of the things we take for granted - time with family.

February 4 2021

10 Things We Take For Granted That Others Can Only Wish For

Content Team Moral Lessons 0

Published February 4, 2021

For most of us, this pandemic has changed a lot of things. Being stuck at home for months and prohibited from doing the things we usually do can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. But on the flip side, it has also made us see things in a different light. For the most part, we more fully appreciate the things we used to take for granted.

As the months wear on, we realize that we really did take a lot of things – and people – for granted. It’s just a pity that it took a pandemic to make us realize how blessed we are. Most of the time, we don’t really know what we have until it’s gone.

In our quest for wealth, fame, and success, we become blinded by our goals and ambitions. We chase after the things we want that we forget to appreciate the things we already have. What most of us fail to realize is that those things we took for granted might only just be a dream for others.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t have dreams or ambitions. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But sometimes, we need to slow down and smell the fresh morning dew or savor our coffee’s aroma. Simple things like this allow us to appreciate our blessings and teach us what really matters in life.

So if you’re having a hard time seeing the silver lining right now, just think of the things you probably don’t notice that you have and be grateful for it. To help you out, here are some things we take for granted that others can only dream of:

1. Waking Up Today

When you woke up this morning, the first thought that comes to your mind is probably your to-do list for the day. But have you stopped and thought about how lucky you are to be able to wake up today? Every day is a blessing. Being alive itself is a miracle. So don’t ever take it for granted again.

2. Freedom of Choice

The freedom to choose your food, clothing, and even who to marry is a luxury for others. Most of us are born with that freedom. So it’s no wonder why we usually take it for granted. But imagine a life without being able to make those choices – a life where other people get to decide for you and you don’t have a say in the matter. That will definitely put things in perspective.

3. The Ability to Travel

If there’s one thing that this pandemic has made us appreciate, it’s the ability to travel. Some can only dream of exploring new places, meeting new people, and experiencing a different culture. Now that we’re not able to travel as freely as we used to, we finally get a glimpse of how they must feel. So the next time you go off to some exotic place, appreciate every moment.

4. Being Able to Move

Walking, running, dancing, or even just moving in general is something that most of us take for granted. But being able to move is one of the greatest things about being alive. Without it, you won’t be able to do certain things. It’s one of the greatest blessings that you should never ever take for granted.

The ability to move is one of the thing we take for granted.

5. Breathing

Breathing is an involuntary action. Meaning, we do it whether we are aware of it or not. It’s easy to see why we tend to take it for granted. But remember that breathing is an essential part of living. Without it, well, you know what would happen. So appreciate every day that you’re still able to breathe. You never know when you won’t be able to.

6. Having Food to Eat

If you’re not hungry right now and have food on your fridge or your table, then consider yourself lucky. According to the World Health Organization, there are around 820 million people globally who don’t have enough to eat.

7. A Place to Call Home

You may not like your home right now. Maybe it’s too small or too tacky for you. But remember that there are 1.6 billion homeless people around the world. They sleep in the cold pavements, under the bridge, or in public parks. They’re vulnerable to the elements and often fall victim to crimes. So if you have a roof over your head and a place to call home, don’t ever take it for granted.

8. Access to Clean Water

Most of us have access to clean drinking water all our life that we often fail to appreciate it. But if you’ve ever been stranded outdoors or in a place with no potable water readily available, you’ll appreciate having clean water to drink.

9. Being Able to Read

The fact that you’re reading this right now shows you are far better off than 773 million people around the world. Being able to read opens a door of opportunities. It gives you access to the world and all the knowledge it has to offer. Unfortunately, we often take this ability for granted because everyone we know can read. But if you think being able to read is no big deal, imagine what life is like if you can’t.

10. Your Family

Our family may not be our most favorite people on the planet but we know that they have our back when the going gets rough. It’s perhaps because of this that we tend to take them for granted. But having a family and people we can rely on in times of need is something that many people can only wish for.