We've all done it. You know, uttered dramatic words such as "I'm having the worst day." "This week is endless." "My life sucks." ... etc. Especially at a college campus, it's all you seem to hear. To be fair, there isn't much leisure time in the week when your routine consists of waking up, going to class, studying between classes, working after class, then doing homework until you can finally go to bed, only to wake up and do the same thing. But really ... is it that bad?

Sure, it's not as much fun as binge watching your favorite Netflix series, hanging out with friends and family, playing sports, or going on adventures. But if things such as work, school, or chores are really what is causing you to dread the day ahead, maybe it's time to step back and engage in a little self-reflection. There is so much to be thankful for.

Almost a year ago I suffered a freak accident and fractured my skull. I was very grateful that it was not too severe of a fracture and my doctors knew I would be completely recovered in a few months. However, the first month was really hard for me. I have always been a very independent, motivated, and academically-driven person. For the first few days, I struggled to walk short distances and when I did, I needed the assistance of another person. I couldn't eat anything of substance and I couldn't look at light or moving pictures much at all.

Throughout the next week, I became used to only hearing out of one ear (the one not clogged with blood), while the other one perpetually rang. Because of my medication, when I wasn't awake to eat small meals, I was sleeping around the clock. Now that I could stomach food, I then realized I could barely taste what I was eating. Why couldn't I taste the food? A week later I realized I hadn't smelt anything in two weeks, and wouldn't for another few weeks. To this day I have a hard time smelling some (debatably) obvious odors.

As the month went by, I became used to having to call Public Safety for a ride every time I had to go back and forth from class, unable to walk the distance on my own. I learned it would take time before I could be the student I was used to being. I had to understand that I would not comprehend ideas as quickly as I did before, homework would take longer, and I could not engage in my usual marathon studying (the kind most college classes demand). I also strangely realized I could barely speak Spanish, a language I am still learning but have been practicing for many years. Finally, I had to accept the fact that I would not be able to work out or engage in any high intensity situations for three months, under doctors' orders.

So now, almost a year later, I may be running off of little sleep, mental exhaustion, and frequent stress, but I am thankful.

I am thankful to be able to walk all the way across campus just to see a friend.

I am thankful to be able to taste bitter, burnt coffee.

I am thankful to be able to hear people yelling outside at 3 in the morning.

I am thankful to be able to smell the funky trees behind our dorm.

I am thankful to be able to exercise to the point where my legs feel like they are on fire.

I am thankful to be able to learn new, complex concepts in class every day.

I am thankful.

Because life may not always be glamorous, but there are so many things to be thankful for in this life ... whether you know it or not at the time. Had this never happened to me, I don't think I would have ever thought twice about some of the most "basic" things I take for granted. Yet now I try to find something each day to be thankful for, even when it feels as though my day just couldn't get any worse.

So when the going gets tough, take a step back and think of all the wonderful things you have to be thankful for in your life. Whether it's the people in it, the gifts we have, or the opportunities we have been given. It's easy to forget how much you have to be thankful for when you stop looking for it. But when you do, you realize it's all around you.