It has been a long semester, and for many Thanksgiving is a great way to alter your perspectives on your circumstances. Although the holidays can be hard for some people because of family issues or other hardships, there is still a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. Here is my list of things to be grateful for: 

My Crazy Family. Everyone has at least a little crazy in their family. I choose to love mine anyway, and I am thankful for them everyday. I wouldn’t trade them for the world. 

Books and Podcasts. I am constantly learning, and one way I do this is through books and podcasts. They make me a better, smarter and stronger person. I cannot recommend books and podcasts enough.

Chick-Fil-A. Enough said. 

Hope. I am thankful for hope in God, because it keeps me going throughout the year. Life is hard, and we all need hope to get through it.

Macaroni and cheese. Macaroni and cheese is my favorite holiday food. While everyone else argues over turkey versus ham, I’ll stick to the real holiday food winner. 

Starbucks. I am thankful to Starbucks for memories made and loud laughter with friends this year. There is not a cozier restaurant out there. They get bonus points for Christmas music and festive cups.

Friendship. People need each other. Friendship matters, and so do listening ears. Everyone needs a friend. Be a friend to someone who needs it over the holiday. You will at some point need one too. 

Maybe you can relate to my list, and maybe you can’t. Either way, everyone has things they can be thankful for this year. Although Thanksgiving is about giving thanks, many overlook that and skip straight to Black Friday and shopping. Black Friday shopping now starts on Thanksgiving Day. Americans often cannot be thankful for the things we already have for an entire day before beating each other up for things that we probably don’t even need. We are better than that. You are better than that. Remember to be thankful for what you do have and to count your blessings before focusing on the things that you don’t have.