The pandemic has made this year very stressful, and on top of that, many controversial political opinions and a year full of bad news. Thanksgiving is very close, on the 26th of November. Losing sight of the good things in life has been something really easy to do, especially this year. Keeping in mind what you are grateful for may make this year a bit more enjoyable, and give you something to look forward to, like next year.

I am very fortunate, and travel a lot with my dad, stepmom, and brother. We’ve traveled all around the world, to Singapore, the U.K., France, Japan, and so on. Even though we started traveling less before the pandemic, I now realize how lucky I am to go to places, and out of the country. Many people can’t afford to travel out of the country, and the fact that I am able to makes me grateful that I can. Traveling has helped me understand what other countries are like, and knowing that the U.S. is a first world country, I’m lucky to be a U.S. citizen and live in the U.S. Many places around the world have trouble supplying people with food and stuff to keep them alive, and sadly there are families in the U.S. that are hungry, and don’t have much food. This makes me think of how lucky I am to have a family that can supply me with food, and a house. Being grateful for stuff you don’t even realize you have can be really helpful, and give you a positive mood, because you are then open-minded about you and other people because you think about what you do have, and what they don’t have.

I like to go biking. When I was younger, I biked more, and at later times then I do now. When I did bike more frequently, I realized that Arizona has amazing sunsets. I remember hearing on a radio in my mother’s car, explaining how someone from another state hasn’t ever seen that good of sunsets or sunrises, but when they moved to Arizona, they were amazed. I also have several pets, and I am very grateful about that. Some kids want pets but are not allowed to, or can’t for some reason. I know lots of people have pets, but they take it for granted because they don’t think that there are people without pets. It’s nice to have pets because they keep you company, and are fun to interact with. My cat Sophie is honestly a good cat, and doesn’t attack unlike other cats.

Taking a look at your life and the things you have can put you in a good mood, and is a good habit. Even though these times are tough, staying grateful for what you have is important, even if it’s not much.