With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I've begun to reflect on the things that make me happy and fill me with gratitude. This Thanksgiving season I have many things to be grateful for. These past 11 months have been filled with struggles, but the blessings most definitely outnumber the struggles.
1. Family
During the bad times my family has always been there for me, and always will be. My mom always knows the right thing to say in order to cheer me up, my dad constantly makes me laugh with his jokes, and my brother (a free spirit) challenges me to get out of my comfort zone. I am extremely grateful to have them and their unconditional love and support in my life.
2. Friends
When I consider someone a friend I cherish their friendship. The people that I am lucky enough to call friends are those who accompany me on unplanned adventures, those who I laugh with at stupid puns, those who ranted with me about how difficult classes were, and those who know that no matter how far we might be from each other, our friendship will remain the same.
3. Coffee
I can't start my day without having that deliciously warm cup of joe. I love how coffee tastes, the way it smells, and how well it pairs with pastries. A big thank you to coffee for making me cope with adulting, for getting me out of bed, and for tasting like it was made in heaven.
4. Mental Health Awareness
"Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all" - Bill Clinton. I am extremely passionate about mental health awareness. I know many people that struggle with anxiety disorders and depression. Mental illnesses are sometimes viewed as being less 'real' than physical illnesses, which is completely absurd. That is why I am grateful for Active Minds, a non profit organization that is attempting to change the conversation about mental health and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
5. The Woods
I love spending time in the woods and taking in all of its beauty. I am grateful to be able to visit such beautiful and serene places. The smell of wet wood, the sound of the singing birds, the crunch of the leaves, and the peaking sun rays make the woods the ideal place for me to unwind.
6. Road Trip Adventures
San Francisco, Portland, Sacramento, Arizona, Yosemite National Park, Mendocino National Forest, and Sierra National Forest are some of my recent road trip adventures that are one for the books. Some trips were made with family and others with friends, but all trips equally meaningful to me which I am absolutely grateful for.
7. Stranger Things
This glorious show gave us the relatable "mornings are for coffee and contemplation." I am grateful for Stranger Things because this show has everything: horror, humor, a hell of a soundtrack, a strong friendship bond, and yes, dungeons and dragons. I can't leave out Eleven, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas or the rest of the characters because they all make me love this show even more.
8. The Odyssey
The Odyssey has served as a platform to reach many people through my writing. I've always wanted to write and share my work online, but was reluctant for the fear that it was not good enough. I am very grateful to be a writer for The Odyssey because it has allowed me to not only grow as a writer but to be confident of the articles that I produce.
9. Diversity
Diversity--racial, ethnic, gender, etc.-- is a beautiful thing. We are all different which makes us all unique in our own personal way. I am grateful for diversity because it shows the power of unity when individuals from diverse backgrounds work together for a common goal.
10. Activists
With everything that has occurred these past 11 months from the presidential election, the Dakota Access Pipeline Protest, to the Burkini Ban in France, I am extremely grateful for activists. These people stand up for justice, peace and the earth. They speak up for those who are unable or are afraid to. To activists everywhere, thank you for campaigning fearlessly for social change.
