I wrote something about being grateful as well and how a lot of us do a lot of complaining without taking time to stop and realize how lucky we really are. Like you, I grew up in a relatively wealthy country and although my own family was not rich, we were comfortable and I had both parents who put their heart and souls into raising me and my siblings. Just that alone is enough to be extremely grateful for!
Living overseas has shown me how a great deal of the world grows up with almost no chance of having even a bit of what we in the west totally take for granted. In Vietnam the average monthly wage is around $200 and there is no chance to move ahead in life with that being the case.
It isn't just about money but that is a big part of it for sure. One thing I have noticed when observing the poor in this and other surrounding countries, is that the family unit is normally very strong and this benefits all of them, despite their relative poverty, immensely. I think that the western world has largely forgotten how important family is and all of us should take a moment to realize how our families are the most important things in our lives and we should cherish them while we can.
Gratitude feels good and i think is respectful of the things and people we have around us, reminds us of what it took to get them or maintain relationships and I think that helps the future look better and better.