Today I Am Thankful For...
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Today I Am Thankful For...

Preparing for Thanksgiving by giving thanks.

44
Today I Am Thankful For...
https://unsplash.com/photos/p2OQW69vXP4

I am going to be completely honest: I am a huge Christmas person. Christmas songs, Christmas decorations, Christmas cookies, you name it, I am a huge fan. In the back of my head, I know Thanksgiving comes before Christmas. However, Thanksgiving often feels like an obligatory holiday to celebrate so people stop judging people like me for turning on Christmas music. (Side note: I already started listening to Christmas music, so judge away). Thanksgiving just feels like a second-rate holiday. I love spending time with my family, but I am really just waiting for Christmas. However, in this season of business, I have been challenged to re-evaluate Thanksgiving for what it is: a chance to give thanks.

I do not think of myself as a particularly ungrateful or unthankful person, but when I stopped to think about it, I realized just how pessimistic I can be. I began to catch myself being upset about little things that would influence my mood for the rest of the day. My schedule was my consuming thought, and I never really stopped to be grateful for where I am. My remedy was to begin a gratefulness/thankfulness challenge. I would write down at least one thing I was thankful for once a day for seventy-five days (the days until Thanksgiving when I began).

I will not claim that my gratefulness/thankfulness challenge has changed my life, but it has improved it in many ways. Taking the time to think what was good about my day, what I had to look forward to, and what I had experienced made me realize how blessed I really am. No, I did not get the parking spot I wanted, but at least I have working transportation. No, I did not get everything done on my to-do list, but I had a really fun time with my siblings watching Pride and Prejudice. No, I did not have a fantastic day, but I got to practice my new favorite piano piece. When I began to notice little things that made me happy--a cup of coffee, a beautiful sunrise, the neighbor who always smiles as I pass, the fun socks that I can wear because they are now clean--I began to feel so overwhelmed by all the beautiful things in my life. It is not that they did not exist before, but now I began to notice them. That has caused me to be more grateful for the amazing life I have. That has caused me to give thanks.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58599
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37782
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959354
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

194335
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments