I’ve wanted to write an article about this for a while, but now with Thanksgiving around the corner, I couldn't think of a more profound opportunity.

In this day and age, it seems like everyone has something to complain about or life is always insufficient. Don’t get me wrong, I do it too, I think we all do it. However, when things get really bad, I like to take a step back to realize how lucky I truly am to be blessed with all the amazing things and opportunities I’ve been given. I think most of us don’t do this enough.

I feel like people today complain about things that aren’t important. “My boyfriend doesn’t buy me enough gifts,” “My parents are the worst,” “My town is so small and boring.”... I seem to hear these types of things every day. I love to complain and I won’t deny that I do it, but I’ve learned that these things are insignificant in the long run. Instead of thinking that way, you should be thankful that you have a loving boyfriend who cares about you, that you have parents that look out for you, and that you live in a nice neighborhood with a roof over your head and a warm bed to come home to every night.

When things get difficult, it’s crucial to think about the people that have it so much harder than us. There are so many people in our world who don’t have what many of us take for granted. Many people don’t live in a country with freedom of speech or religion. Many people live in a country of war and peril. Many people live on the streets because they can’t afford basic commodities of living like food and shelter. We are lucky enough to live in the country of the free and the brave.

I am thankful for my loving sister and parents, my amazing boyfriend, all my college and high school friends, my town, Floral Park, that is just close enough to the city, the beach, the best state in the country, New York, my extended family, my house, my freedoms, my country, and all the people who care about me and fight to protect me. I think if everyone took the time to write down the things they are thankful for it would be much harder to look at life through a negative lens.

My family just recently started going around the table on Thanksgiving because my grandma thought it was an important thing for us to do and I agree. I think everyone should do it. When you look around the room and see all the people there who care about you and the plethora of food you have, it’s easy to be grateful.

Everyone has the right to complain and feel sorry for themselves sometimes, and you shouldn’t feel guilty that you were granted with many amazing things, but you should always remember how lucky you are.

When you feel alone, sad, or when times get tough, just try to remember all the things in your life that you have to be thankful for.