Whenever I want to feel good about the world, I look at things from the perspective of the entire history of the human race.

Thousands of years ago, most of our ancestors were more likely than not subsistence farming or, if they were doing anything historically interesting at all, laboring on gigantic walls or pyramids or other largely useless monuments for various kings and tyrants. There was no choice as to what one did with one's life, it was dictated by the circumstances of birth.

Even having dreams, much less the ability to follow them, is a rare thing for humans. We're each blessed to have this ability.