Thanksgiving has always been one of those holidays where your family sits around you and asks you about your life, questioning all of your decisions and wondering about your future. As the turkey sits on the table and the family gathers round, we grab hands and say a prayer. After saying our prayers, we go around the table and state the thing we are thankful for this year.

I have been stressing about this moment all year. My 2017 was terrible. Filled with heartache and pain and lack of happiness, this year held little to no things to be grateful for.

I began to think about the basics. I have a family. There's something to be thankful for. I have friends. Another thing to be grateful for. I have a roof over my head and clothes on my back. More things to be grateful for.

However, there is one thing that I overlook that I believe all should be thankful for. Despite not having the finest clothes in the land and a bunch of money in pocket, I woke up this morning. Yes, I know that waking up is not anything special. However, waking up with a sane mind is a blessing in itself. Being able to know the person you were the day before and knowing the people in your life is more than others can get.

When my grandfather died, my eyes opened, and I realized I have more to my life than others may get.

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for being able to breathe and move on my own. Despite all of my hardships that I am going through, I am walking, talking, and breathing. That is all I need to keep myself going. Looking at the glass half full, I have changed my mindset. Instead of looking at the negatives in my life, I evaluate the one constant positive in my life.

As long as I wake up in my right mind, there is no room for pessimism this Thanksgiving.