Thanksgiving this year is particularly special because this year has been pretty tough, for me, for all of us. 2020 has taken me through so many ups and downs, but I am grateful that I was able to make it through every challenge that came my way. 2020 really opened my eyes and helped me to see that the things that I expect to do and have are actually some of my greatest blessings, like having a job, having a home and being in good health. Watching the news, scrolling through social media, and even hearing some of my friends’ stories about losing a loved one, makes me appreciate the small things even more than I did before, the small things you never really expect or even think about losing.
This Thanksgiving, I am using this time to truly reflect on what I am grateful for and I encourage you to do the same. As you are surrounded by friends and family and stuffing your face with collard greens, yams and mac and cheese, reflect on all the things you are truly grateful for in this season. As I’ve been reflecting this week and today on what I am truly grateful for, 3 things came to mind first, life and health, friends and family, and financial stability.
First, I am grateful for life and health. 2020 has been a scary year, and if it’s one thing I learned this year, it’s that life is short. We’ve seen on the news, social media, and learned through word of mouth about the many people who lost their lives this year from Covid among many other things. It truly is a blessing to wake up each morning and be in good health. I am grateful to have made it this far.
Secondly, I am grateful to still be surrounded by family and friends. I’ve seen and heard countless stories from friends and even strangers who have been devastated by the loss of a loved one this year, and even before 2020. I have close friends who lost moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, and uncles and the stories are heartbreaking to say the least. I am more than grateful for my family, friends and loved ones who are still here. I expect to pick up the phone each day and talk to my mom or my best friend, but this year has shown me that it is a blessing that I get to pick up the phone and talk to the people I love every day.
Thirdly, I’m grateful for financial stability. Throughout this year, I witnessed people lose their jobs, homes, and everything they worked for as a result of the pandemic. It is a major blessing to still be financially stable and able to pay my bills and live comfortably during such a hard and unexpected time. It is such a blessing to wake up every day with a roof over my head and clothes on my back. I’m grateful to have a job, steady income, and to not have to worry about bills and other financial obligations.
It’s so easy to linger on the things we’ve lost. I challenge and encourage you to think about what you still have and what you gained rather than what you lost. Reflect on how far you’ve come despite everything you’ve been through this year.
Have an amazing Thanksgiving!