On the face of it, you may think 2016 isn’t a good year at all, considering what’s happening all around the world and on a personal level, it may seem that there’s just nothing special about 2016 from any other years. But then again, it’s your attitude towards life that matters and you may have overlooked certain things if you don’t think you’ve been doing well this year. You may have debts to pay off, but you don’t live malnourished and below the poverty line. You may not have found your soul mate yet, but there are certainly people in your life whose presence you treasure.

So here’s a list of top ten things to be grateful for and a sure sign that your life is on the right track.

1. You’re still alive!

And that, my dear reader, is nothing short of a miracle. You are alive right now in the 21st century at a very exciting time in the history of mankind and there’s nowhere else you’d rather be. You are alive and every day you can feel the sun shine on your face and breathe fresh air and experience the wonders of the natural world around you. You’re alive and aware and that’s all that matters.

2. You have a roof over your head

Wherever you are, whether it’s a tiny rented room of an apartment or a penthouse, you have a place to call home. No matter how bad the day there’s always a special place you can return to relax and rejuvenate yourself.

3. You’re loved

When you call your parents, you know they’ll always be there for you. When you meet up with your friends, you know there are some people with whom you can share your darkest secrets. You have someone in your life who’s always got your back.

4. You have food and water

You don’t have to worry about how or when you’ll be able to afford your next meal. You don’t have to steal or scourge for leftovers to satiate your hunger. You have access to healthy food and clean water and that’s a privilege so many people in the world lack.

5. You tried to improve yourself

You know you’re not perfect, but hey you tried your best and made resolutions and that’s what counts.

6. You failed but kept going

Yes, you’ve had setbacks but each failure is a stepping stone to success and the fact that you’re still trying proves that you haven’t let past defeats take you down,

7. You forgive others

There are people in your life you’d rather avoid, but instead of wasting your time and plotting revenge, you’ve chosen to let go and move on.

8. You forgive yourself

Many of us know how to forgive others but when it comes to forgiving ourselves, we may need a little help from our friends. But at the end of the day, you know who you are, despite your shortcomings and you choose to live a better life and that’s a very good sign.

9. You have clothes

You may not have a celebrity’s wardrobe, but you have clothes that make you look and feel great or those that evoke special memories. You have breezy clothes for summer and woolen scarf to keep you warm in winter.

10. You dream big

And no matter what you’ve not stopped dreaming and you’re still here, doing what you can to make your dreams come true and that is the biggest sign that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

So congratulations! You’ve lived a great year. Keep focusing on the bright side. The world is still beautiful and now’s your time to make it an even better place to live in.