I remember hearing this once, and it stuck me a being incredibly profound and at the time incredibly humbling and kind. It was in relation to a work colleague, talking about another work colleague, who had lost their son via suicide. His comment was 'it could of happened to any one of us, any one of our children could have taken the same steps.... but for the Grace of God".

I have remembered this, and have used it on many occasion, quietly to myself. Although it stirs up a slight sense of guilt ("Thank God it is not me"), it also rouses an incredible sense of gratitude. How fortunate am I, to not be going through what this person is experiencing? How fortunate that I have shelter, a warm bed, a loving family? How fortunate am I that I have not experienced what this person is going through.

Having an attitude of gratitude has been shown in research to have significant positive health effects on mental health and wellbeing.  It's termed in different ways; finding the good, counting your blessings, seeing the silver lining.