After 11 months of huge change in my life and the world around me so far this year, Thanksgiving is a very appropriate time to reflect on what I am grateful for. First of all, I am extremely lucky to be alive, healthy, happy and provided with the basic means of survival like shelter, clothing and food. Not a day goes by that I do not appreciate the roof above me as there are many people out there that cannot say the same. For that, I am extremely grateful. I believe that each and every one of us must not look shy of the fact that we are alive and so lucky to be healthy before we further reflect on what else there is to be grateful for. I am a very privileged person, and am grateful for so much of my life. With this being said, here is a list of 5 other of the many things I have to be grateful for this year.

1. That I'm lucky enough to be attending a University and getting an education.

As a student at Colorado State University, I feel incredibly overwhelmed and grateful to know that I am among a very small percentage of the world's population who is receiving a college education. With this in mind, I try and will continue to try and do my best in school, working hard and learning as much as possible as to fulfill my obligations as a student. Having professors that are Nobel Peace Prize winners really does leave me in awe as to how fortunate I am to be getting a higher education by these immensely influential people and it continues to push me to work hard and gain all I can from this experience that many do not get.

2. That I live in one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

Telluride is an area of Colorado that seems to scrape the heavens, allowing their light to shine down. I am so grateful to be able to live in this place where Mother Nature has left her masterpiece so beautifully and in such a raw form. The towering peaks above me leave me speechless each time I see them, and still to this day I cannot believe that I am lucky enough to call the San Juans my home. Not only is this beautiful world just at the tip of my fingertips and the edge of my backyard, but rare and breath-taking animals make their presence known frequently than I would ever expect which leaves me feeling so fortunate each time I see them. I am so grateful to live in such a beautiful part of the country, and will never take it for granted.

3. That my family has the means to have a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner, and many other meals, with our loved ones.

To sit down at Thanksgiving dinner with 9 other loved ones (and loved one's loved ones) allowed me to see the beauty in community and how we all came together in support and love of each other. I feel so lucky to have the means to enjoy a beautiful dinner, from the candles to the plates down to the table we ate everything on. To have the means to enjoy such a beautiful meal allowed me to truly see how privileged I am yet again.

4. That I live in a place where my rights are not being taken away from me.

With everything in the news this past year. I could not reflect on what I am grateful for without mentioning how grateful I am for my freedom and my given rights. In some areas, people are not that lucky and their rights are being taken out from under them. As everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, I do think we can all agree on how lucky we are to have rights that cannot be taken away, as this seems to be a privilege that I fell so grateful to have.

5. My friends, family and all those that have made this year special.

I am so lucky to have people who truly care about me and my well being, and for that I am so grateful. To my family, and my Fort Collins family: Thank you for everything you have done for me. Your empathy and respect does not go unnoticed, and I am beyond lucky to have each and every one of you in my life. Thank you for showing me how privileged I am and giving me unconditional love.