By Alisa Hancock

The Law of Relativity teaches us that nothing we experience is inherently good or bad—it only becomes so when we compare it to something else.

Think about it: when we measure our lives against people who seem to have more, we’re almost guaranteed to feel like we’re falling short. But when we compare what we have to those with less, it opens our eyes to just how blessed we really are.

Did you know that nearly half the world—about 3 billion people—live on less than $2 a day? And if you make $20,000 a year in the U.S., you're already in the top 12% of the world's wealthiest. Make $50,000 or more? That puts you in the top 1% globally.

I grew up as the 4th of 9 children in a 2,800-square-foot home. We always had food and clothing, but not the brands or styles I wanted. I shared a room with two or three sisters at a time. It was a large room, and we each had our own bed—but my school friends all had private rooms. Compared to them, I thought we were poor.

Then, at 21, I spent 18 months as a missionary in Ecuador. That’s when everything changed. I witnessed families with six children living in two-room shacks. They cooked over open fire pits in their living rooms and all shared two rough-looking beds. Owning a car wasn’t even on their radar. Most had never dreamed of one.

When I came home, I couldn’t believe how rich we were. We had a car that fit our whole family, comfy beds, carpeted floors, indoor plumbing, hot water—and not just one bathtub, but multiple bathtubs. We had privacy. We had electricity. (1.6 billion people around the world still live without electricity.) I saw everything with new eyes.

You don’t need a raise or a promotion to feel rich. You already are.

So stop comparing yourself to the wealthiest 1% and thinking you’re behind. Instead, recognize that you are one of the wealthy. Gratitude shifts everything.

Yes, there will always be someone smarter, prettier, wealthier, or more talented than you. But there are also people who desperately need your gifts—your experience, compassion, and knowledge. Don’t hold back just because someone else seems to have more. Be thankful for the exact talents and resources you’ve been given—they’re precisely what you need to fulfill your life’s purpose.

Look around. Who could benefit from what you already have to offer?

You don’t need more to live richly.
You just need perspective.
Start living a life of wealth today.

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