I remember a time in America when people had optimism. No matter what was going on, people found the silver lining, counted their blessings, celebrated events. Though there were differences, people came together to celebrate a better life – a better America.

Does that America still exist? Today, half of the population sides against the other half. We no longer have statesmen in government that promote the good in our country. We have a divided nation spending its time destroying our heritage and each other. Our moral compass is gone as those in the minority of mainstream America scream louder than the majority to somehow express that they have more rights than others, regardless of values, beliefs, or will. We continue to see erosion of our larger “rights” as Americans to placate to the wants of the few. As a result, our time is spent arguing and fighting with people who don’t agree with our own opinions.

I grew up in church with a hymn that said, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one.” The fact that we are in America, land of the free and home of the brave, is a blessing in and of itself. Focusing on what we have and who we have in our lives will pull us out of despair and all of the bickering that brings us down. Let’s take a moment to reflect on our “good times.”

Americans still have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We have life, we are free, and we, through our creativity and initiative, can pursue happiness. We can dream and through our abilities often attain the dream. That celebrates individualism and the uniqueness that we share by being in America. We don’t live our lives out through a caste system. We are not forever condemned to remain in our current lot in life. Individually and as a country, we can control and change much of our destiny.

Americans have the Constitution, providing protections from an abusive government and rights to participate in and be part of our government. We have a president, who regardless of one’s political leanings, demonstrates his love for our country everyday and who is working to make a better tomorrow for our citizens and those around the globe. We have within our control the ability to have family and friends and to celebrate life with them. We have the freedom to meet in public and in private with whomever we want without fear of intrusion. We shop in stores that allow us freedom of choice and more shelf space of food varieties than any other country on the planet. We have the freedom to make choices on how we spend our time, money, and talent that are not dictated by government.

Think about your blessings, your good times. Celebrate what you have and celebrate with others in their success. It will change you and suddenly, life not only looks better, it is better.