Let us be grateful that sunrise and sunsets are free, or else we can't afford them. Be thankful that behind every storm the rainbow of hope and sunshine is dawning. Be thankful for our mistakes, life would be boring if we were all perfect. Be thankful for stress so that we can be reminded to relax and balance our life. Be thankful to God, He created tomorrows, so take chances, change and do better.

No matter what we maybe going through, there is always someone going through worse. So, let us be grateful for our lives and look at the positives. Here's a narrative of a man who would be turning thirty in two days and was insecure about entering a new decade and feared that his best years would be behind him soon.

 His daily routine included going to the gym for a workout before going to work. Every morning he would see his friend Nicholas at the gym. He was seventy-nine years old and in terrific shape. On one particular day, Nicholas noticed that he was not full of his usual vitality and asked if there was anything wrong. He told Nicholas that he was feeling anxious about turning thirty. He wondered how he would look back on his life once he would reach Nicholas's age, so he asked him, "What was the best time of your life?"

Without hesitation, Nicholas replied, "Well, Joe, this is my philosophical answer to your philosophical question:

"When I was a child in Austria and everything was taken care of for me and I was nurtured by my parents, that was the best time of my life.

"When I was going to school and learning the things I know today, that was the best time of my life.

"When I got my first job and had responsibilities and got paid for my efforts, that was the best time of my life.

"When I met my wife and fell in love, that was the best time of my life.

"The Second World War came, and my wife and I had to flee Austria to save our lives. When we were together and safe on a ship bound for North America, that was the best time of my life.

"When we came to Canada and started a family, that was the best time of my life.

"When I was a young father, watching my children grow up, that was the best time of my life.

"And now, Joe, I am seventy-nine years old. I have my health, I feel good and I am in love with my wife just as I was when we first met. This is the best time of my life."

The best things in life are free. And it is important never to lose sight of that. So look around you. Wherever you see friendship, loyalty ,laughter, and love, there is your treasure.

By Tim Pedrosa