As a whole, people tend to focus only on what they don't have. It can be difficult, then, to be grateful for anything that is even marginally good. Gratitude is the key to happiness. Simply giving thanks for even the simplest of things: a roof over our heads, a bed to sleep in- can automatically boost our happiness and satisfaction with our lives.

We live in a world that promotes excessive consumerism and greed. People want what they can't have. Jealousy is widespread.

Being grateful in such an environment can be a challenge. A way to combat this is to simply remind yourself each day of a few things you are grateful for. I do this through prayer each morning, by thanking God for all the wonderful people and opportunities He has given me.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I would share some of those.

Here are 10 things I am grateful for maybe you share some of them too.

1. The people God has put in my life, particularly my family and wonderful teammates, who have become my second family
2. My dogs
3. The opportunity to come to Stony Brook as a Division I athlete
4. The presence of God in my life
5. A bed to sleep in
6. Food in the fridge
7. A healthy body
8. Every experience I have had, positive and negative, as they have all worked together to get me where I am today
9. Sunsets
10. The simple fact that I get to wake up every morning- that I have been blessed with the gift of life.

Happy Thanksgiving!