As we arrive at Thanksgiving, the spotlight is so often on food and family and travel (and for law students, upcoming exams).  It’s easy to overlook the true meaning of the holiday: to give thanks.

I spend too much of my time feeling angry.  I’m angry that every year it becomes harder to stay in the middle class, as the rich grow richer and the poor grow poorer.  I’m angry that the price of groceries keeps going higher as the size of the packaging grows smaller.  I’m angry that the future of student loans is changing significantly in only seven months (more on that in a later post).  I’m angry that I never seem to have enough time to do my job during the week and I never have enough time to manage adulting responsibilities on the weekend.  I’m angry that the price of healthcare keeps going up.  I’m angry that I bear the brunt of the responsibility to meet the needs of my mother in a local assisted living facility while my siblings get off easy with an occasional visit every few weeks or so.  I’m angry that I’m driving a 2012 Subaru while surrounded by luxury cars every time I go anywhere.  I’m angry that I don’t seem to have either the time or the money to tend to the many deferred maintenance projects on my house.

There is so much to feel angry about.  But the reality is that my anger is just a perspective issue.  It’s growing harder to stay in the middle class, but I’m still there, and that is not likely to change.  The price of groceries is higher than I’d like, but I can still afford to buy food without financial distress.  The future of student loans is changing, but I am well positioned to help students through that change.  My job is sometimes overwhelming, but I am so fortunate to be able to earn a living doing something that I love.  My home life is sometimes overwhelming, but I have a supportive spouse by my side to see me through it.  Healthcare is more expensive than it should be, but I am lucky enough to have good insurance.  I spend many hours a week caring for my mother, but I’m grateful that she is still alive and able to pay for assisted living.  My 2012 Subaru has 126,000 miles on it, but I’m confident that it will easily go another 50,000 or more—and it’s still fun to drive as well as being an amazingly utilitarian vehicle.  My house needs repairs.  But I have a house in a great neighborhood, and my father taught me so much about how to DIY repairs (which I often supplement with YouTube assistance).

It’s so easy to focus on the challenges in life.  But Thanksgiving is an amazing opportunity to focus on the good things in life.  A change in perspective can turn that anger into wealth.  There are two ways to be rich.  One is to have everything you want.  The other is to want what it is you have.  And by that second measure, I’m clearly in the 1%.

I hope everyone can feel rich as we celebrate Thanksgiving and recognize the things we are thankful for.