1. My Mom

My mom has been one of my main support systems this year. I am unusually close to her for someone my age and I’m very glad. She unconditionally supports everything that I do, within reason. She is an unbiased outlet I can turn to in times of trouble. She’s one of the only people in the world who believed I could still be someone despite the trials I faced. My mom is one of the only people who will never give up on me.

2. My Sister

My sister, although she can be one of the most annoying people in the world, I am thankful for her. I’m thankful to have a friend for life and I’m thankful for all that she has accomplished. I’m thankful that she has and continues to accomplish so much for her age

3. The People Who Care About Me

I’m very lucky that a majority of the people in my life do genuinely care about me and my well being. I’m so thankful to have such a large support system who I can rely on no matter what. I know they will always look out for me and support me no matter what.

4. My Friends

I must admit I have some high quality friends and I’m thankful for all of them. They’re the most unique and beautiful people around. They are my support system and my family. I’m so lucky to have all of them. Thank you all for loving me despite my flaws and general weirdness.

5. My Education

Although a lot of pain came out of the schools I attended growing up, I do acknowledge that if I did not receive the quality of education that I did my life would be very different. I probably would not have received half the opportunities I did and I would be struggling a lot more in college than I am currently. I’m very lucky to have had the opportunity to have a quality education and continue to have one at my university.

6. My College

I’m eternally thankful to my university, without which I don’t know where I would be. It has brought into my life so many amazing people and given me so many opportunities. I’ve learned a lot about responsibility and being an adult. Thank you for giving me the chance to make something of myself.

7. All My Blessings

Overall, I acknowledge that despite the hardships I live a very blessed life. I attend a great university in the greatest city in the world. I have amazing friends, an amazing internship, a well paying job. It’s important to always remember all the blessings life has brought you, despite all the curses it may have cast down on you.

8. Opportunities

This year has definitely been a year of opportunities, a lot of which I did not see coming. In the few months since graduation, I really have found success in most aspects of my life. The opportunities have brought so much good and taught me a lot about responsibility. I’m thankful that I was able to get these opportunities, because I know I could very well not have gotten any of them.

9. My Ambition

I’m a very ambitious person and I’m grateful for the fact that I am. It helps me to go above and beyond in my assignments, at my job, at my internship, and in all aspects of my life. If it was not for my ambition I would not have accepted the opportunities presented, and I would not be pushing myself to reach new goals constantly. My ambition makes me determined, it is my drive.

10. Love

Although this year has left me far from wanting anything to do with the romantic aspect of this word, I am thankful for love. I am thankful to have loved. I’m thankful to have been loved and to have people who love me in my life. At the end of the day I am thankful that I have the ability to love.

11. Change

This year truly has been the year of change. I started this year a high school senior not yet accepted into any college. I wanted a completely different career for myself. In all everything was very different then. Now, at almost the end of the year, I’m at a great university with a new career I want to pursue. I have a job and an internship. I’m thankful for the changes that have occurred this year both the good and the bad, because the bad has put me on a path to the good. I am thankful that my life has changed for the better and hopefully will continue to do so.

12. The Lessons

2016 was far from the most influential year of my life. It was not very dramatic, and a majority of what took place was good. That being said when 2016 smacked me around, it really did smack me around. It hurt as lessons always do but I learned from them. The smack downs and their aftermath helped me to realize what kind of people I want to surround myself with. I figured out what kind of person I want to be and the kind of person I never want to be again.