It’s a fascinating time to be alive.

If you don’t believe that, then you probably aren’t paying attention.

Without a doubt, the times in which we live have their challenges.

We seem to be living in a leadership vacuum.

Politics are ugly, personal, and rarely effective. (See: Who Wants to Be a Leader)

Many good things which used to be common have become rare.

Yet the challenges of this day aren’t that different than the challenges of any time. Today’s problems might have a unique nuance, but problems have always existed. The nature of humanity is no better or worse than it’s ever been. (See: Why I Can’t Say America’s Going to Hell in a Handbasket)

But the times in which we live are fascinating.

There has never been a time in which educational opportunities have been as available to the average person as today. While education is not accessible to all people, it is accessible to a good number of people. And it is definitely available to every person reading this article. No topic is off limits. Want an Ivy League education? You may not be able to get the diploma, but many classes are online for free or at a very reduced rate. Want to have a meaningful relationship with God? Not only is the Bible available for individuals, but an unbelievable number of study resources are also accessible. For many people, ignorance is no longer a result from circumstance but is simply a personal choice. Nearly anything you want to know, you can know.

There has never been a time in which the average person can make as meaningful of a difference in the lives of others. Boundaries are disappearing every day. Yesterday in the mail I received a very kind handwritten note from someone I had never met, in a town which is a few thousand miles away from where I live, and from someone who has a physical challenge which in years past would have limited communication. But because of technology, he and I can communicate as if we lived near one another and as though no limitation existed. While power, fame, and money still greatly influence our world, the common person has more influence today than ever before. Through social media and technology, we have an opportunity to identify needs and meet needs in a way that has never been known.

The merger of these two factors—opportunity and ability—make this a fascinating time to be alive.

However, when we fail to recognize the gift which we have been given by living at this time in history, we squander the very opportunity we have been given.

When we spend more time cursing our days than trying to find ways to contribute to society, we are wasting our days.

When we obsess over the faults of others instead of their needs, we are wasting our days. (See: Like, What if Facebook is Right?)

When we long for what once was (although it probably was never that good) instead of appreciating what now is, we are wasting our days.

Consider: There has never been a better time to be alive yet a good number of us are wasting this time wishing for something different.

There may not be a greater tragedy than this. The need is great, the opportunity is overwhelming, and we can do something about it.

The greatest threat to us making a difference today is a failure to recognize the time in which we live.

One thing is certain—a leader loves the day in which they live. They do not love everything about their times, but they do deeply appreciate the times and the opportunity to do something about it.

Look around. It’s Monday and it’s a great day to be alive.

For more, see:

I Love People Who Have This

The Devil Doesn’t Need an Advocate