Bills, bad economy, traffic—life is pretty stressful. Yet, most of us live very well. We have ample food, a place to live, friends and family. In many parts of the world, running water is a luxury; gunfire and turmoil are a way of life. Here in the States, homelessness is an epidemic. And yet, we complain: About our love lives, our career, “do I look fat in this?”

Recently, world events in the Mid-East and the recession at home have knocked us out of our comfort zone. It’s time to gain perspective, and it’s easier than you think. Certified life coach Melissa McFarlane says, "One way to consciously appreciate your life is to see how your life affects other people. There's a balance between one's life being all about oneself, and living in a world with other people.” What better time to get involved than Thanksgiving?