In the season of thanksgiving, I am always blessed and grateful for all that I have. As I get older, I become increasingly aware of how lucky we are to live in this society where we have the rights that many other people in the world don't have. The world is not as happy and joyful as we get to be around this holiday season. Even on our own land there are people who aren't so lucky. My heart fills with joy at knowing that I am safe and surrounded by love in all aspects of my life, even regardless of the hurt that we see in the world. We have amazing things to be thankful for, and they don't get to have what we have. These people don't have these things, but I do. And for that, I'm thankful.

1. Family

Some people aren't blessed enough to have an amazing family. People who may be living in exile or in adoption centers may not get to experience the love and support that many of us get to share with our families this holiday. People have been exiled or rejected by their families for so many reasons. People have been pushed away from their families because of terrible losses, or unfortunate misunderstandings. Having my family to go home to after being away from home for months at a time is always so humbling, and for that, I am thankful.

2. Love

I am lucky to be surrounded by loving and compassionate people. I am lucky that I get the chance to be myself, and make choices for myself, and now that people will support me no matter what. Even if I make mistakes, I know I have so many people who love and care about me, and who spread love and caring in the world as well. I am glad I'm surrounded by people who are more understanding and accepting than hateful, and I feel strong in this idea that people have my back. In other parts of the world, and even in our own country, people are punished or denied because of their beliefs or preferences or decisions. People are hated on because they are different, and because they go agains the norms of what is expected. Luckily, I can't even count the amount of love I feel from the people I have surrounded myself with, and this is a reason why I am thankful.

3. Freedom & Safety

As I have previously mentioned in some articles, our country may not be perfect. We may not have it all in place, and we may not be on the same ideologies much of the time. However, we are still free. We have freedom to speak out, protect ourselves, and be who we want while practicing the morals and values we choose. Even when things aren't easy or agreed upon, we have the right to fight it and fight for equality. We are also protected by our troops and by our peers and family members, who work to make sure safety and security is always priority. Other people are oppressed and forced to live in certain ways without any autonomy to make their own choices. These people are afraid for their lives, because they don't get to say they have people willing to fight for them and protect them. Fortunately, we are lucky enough to define our own freedom and work towards it, and for this, I am thankful.

4. Shelter

I always have a warm place to call home, and for most of my life, I have even had more than one place I could call home. I have always had a place to go to watch the newest tv shows, or play the newest internet games, or just be surrounded by wonderful people. I have a bed to sleep in, and a room to call my own. I have belongings that are my own, and that I don't have to share in a public space. Members of the society we live in do not always get this opportunity. It is estimated that 100 million people were homeless worldwide in 2005, and that number is believed to have increased since then. There are so many people who live in the cold streets, with no belongings except the clothes on their backs. They don't have a place to go that is consistent. But I do. I have a place that keeps me protected from the cold outside, and I am thankful.

5. Food

I never have to worry if my next meal will come late or at all. I never have to ration my food or plan each time I eat. I always have enough, and I can afford to get my own. Some people don't have this luxury, and it's something that seems so simple. Eating regularly (and often times too much) is just natural and expected for most of us. We have the ability to eat whatever we want, whenever we want, without a second thought. However, so many other people are not so lucky, and because I have enough and a surplus of food and the capabilities to get this food, I am thankful.

6. Education

I go to an amazing school where I get to make an education and a career path that will make me happy. I have the power to expand my mind, and develop new knowledge for all kinds of things every day. I have had this privilege to learn all my life, and it has made a huge impact on me. It may cost money to get to where I want to be, but i feel grateful to be able to afford such expenses over time. Some countries in the world don't even have literacy rates, meaning they have full populations of people who can't read or write. This treasure we are given to communicate and learn is severely taken advantage of, even though more people in the world can't read. This limits their growth and overall success, but we are lucky enough to have these ways of increasing our knowledge and using it for good. Because of this, I am thankful.

7. Health

Healthcare can be extremely scare in many parts of the world, but we have access to healthcare no matter what your situation is. There may be flaws with our system, but people are able to get the help and treatment they need. I personally am happy to be alive, and happy to be well. I have no serious disease or injuries, and nothing that can get me down every day. I have been blessed to have been in good health for most of my life, and I thank the healthcare system we have that has kept me alive and healthy. Some places are so disease ridden that there is no way a person can survive for extended periods of time. This comes partially from education as well, and they both go hand in hand. Having a clean bill of health, and the ability to live through my days on Earth with health and security that I have access to treatment I may need, I am thankful.

I think a lot of the time it is hard to put in perspective the things you're thankful for. It is hard to see all the good you may have surrounding you, while you're trapped under all the stress of holidays and school ending and everything coming together all at once. However, when you look at it in this way, looking at how much we have that others don't we have to count our blessing twice. We have to be able to say "I'm thankful for all I have". I hope you take a moment this season to reflect on what you have, and how little some others may have. I hope you find it in your heart to be extra thankful.