Every November of elementary school, I remember creating cutesy art projects that contained all the things I was thankful for. As the years go on, my answer to "What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?" changes. Of course, my eight-year-old self could only comprehend being thankful for my family, and there was no problem with that. This year, my answer to this question focuses less on material objects and more on the simplest things that I often take for granted.

How often do we wake up to say we are grateful for each breath we take? Not many of us, including me. It is really hard to wake up in such a good mood when I know that the second I am out of bed, I have to take on that day and all the stress that accompanies it. And as always, not every day is a good one. There are different hardships and struggles that we all experience that sometimes make it difficult for us to even have the time to think about how grateful we should be for living.

How often do we say we are grateful for our privileges? If you are reading this article, that means you have a privilege that 14% of Americans do not have: the ability to read. Although 14% is a percentage that only includes individuals living in the United States and the study dates back to 2003, it is still a valuable percentage for one of the most wealthy countries of the world. Other privileges we have can include but are not limited to our family situation, finances, or immigration status.

Be mindful that these are some of the privileges we take for granted. How often am I grateful to have a family that I can see often? My past experiences in San Diego have called my attention to the reality that some immigrants do not have the privilege of seeing their family as accessible as I can. For some, they must communicate through the fence at the others. For others, contact with their family may be limited or not exist at all.

It is not such a bad thing to think outside of yourself and consider other people's different realities this Thanksgiving. The attitude of being grateful does not equivocate saying something along the lines of: "I'm thankful that my life isn't that bad". Being grateful is realizing your privileges and offering an open mind and heart to learn more and contribute to change. The point is not to compare your struggles to someone else's. But rather, by focusing on how other people live, we can become more aware of the various injustices that affect human people who are just as valuable and significant as ourselves and the people we know and love.

Comparisons have always been an issue for me when it applies to Thanksgiving time. This season is not about comparing what different people are grateful for. It is about focusing on the positives that we have in our life despite our struggles, sitting down together with the people we love the most, and allowing ourselves to celebrate our presence with each other in the genuine, grateful attitude.