Life is a decision making process. Rocks cannot make decision therefore they are not alive. If you sit and do nothing all do you are not really alive either!
I agree that we should be thankful always for whatever life brings to us. Life is what we make it. All we have to do is to ask guidance from God to guide us in our life journey so that we can overcome trials and problems that come along the way.
It's a game.. I've always looked at it that way but still have to figure out what's beyond the final level.
life is a game that you collect bonuses if you collect enough bonuses you clear the level the upper level would be more difficult but more enjoyable if the game is over, you die if you finish the game, you die again so it is better to collect bonuses slowly and get the utmost enjoyment of each level