Thanksgiving is this Thursday, and while the copious, rich food you will be devouring in a somewhat euphoric state will be heavenly, it is not the main event. Giving thanks is the most important part of Thanksgiving, hence it being in the holiday’s title. Maybe you have a hundred things to be grateful for or maybe you feel like you have a glaring dearth of gratitude because times are tough for you right now. If you are the former, celebrate what makes you happy in your life—you are so lucky to have such joy. If you are the latter, take a deep breath and look around you, find the beauty in the things that may seem insignificant or have become commonplace. There is more to be thankful for in the world than you can even imagine. I’ve come up with some of the things that I’m thankful for—hopefully you can relate to a few of them.

1. Your family

Family is everything. Family is love. Family is comfort. Family is home. Cherish your family this Thanksgiving. Cherish the laughter, the kindness, even cherish the harmless squabbling—cherish all of it.

2. Sunsets

Seeing a sunset is an experience that feels fresh every time. The awe and wonder never fades. The sunset and its magical reds and pinks and oranges are humbling. Looking at the vast expanse of the sky and its nightly work of art reminds you of how small you are in comparison with the rest of the world. And if you are small, imagine how tiny your fears and problems are; they are minuscule blips in the grand scheme of things and they will pass.

3. Your friends

Friends are wonderful because they accept you and all of your quirks. They sing out of tune with you. They go on late night adventures with you. They cheer you on and support your passions. They laugh until they are crying with you. They keep you grounded. Friends are the bright stars of your very own constellation.

4. Puppies and kittens

I probably don’t need to explain the appeal of two over-the-top adorable animals; everyone knows it. If you are a dog lover and you see a puppy toddling over the grass, its tongue hanging out of its mouth, its happy tail wagging, I’m guessing you either squeal “puppy!” and rush over to pet it, or you internally feel your heart suddenly emit rays of sunshine and move past it in a cloud of bliss. As for the cat lovers, if you see a teensy fur ball with a little pink nose, how can you resist saying “awww…”?

5. The stars

How mind-blowing are stars? Billions of them illuminating the darkened night sky. You may not be able to see a ton of them, depending on where you live, but you can still appreciate a few, and realize, once again, how marvelous our world is. True magic might be a lovely myth, but the magic of the stars is enough to fill that void.

6. Music

Music is appropriate for basically any occasion; parties, weddings, long drives, writing, homework-doing, etc. Music makes you feel. It’s power is astounding. You can hear an old song and be whooshed back in time to a pleasant memory from your childhood. You can hear a new song and get goosebumps up and down your arms. Music is like a living, breathing thing, changing perceptions and emotions. It can be cathartic and healing. It can be energizing. It can be anything, which is why it’s so amazing.

7. The seasons

You might not reside in a place that has distinct four seasons, but whichever ones you get, try to appreciate them. The shining summer sun casting a dazzling glow upon the ocean’s waves. The crunch of autumn leaves littering the dewy morning grass as you amble over them. The sparkling, pristine snow of the winter; the frosted roofs and icy branches. The blooming flowers of the spring, signaling new life. They are all beautiful, don’t let them pass you by unnoticed.

I’ve only scratched the surface of what I’m thankful for, and none of it costs a penny. As they say, the best things in life are free. Happiness can be found everywhere. So enjoy the pie and the stuffing this Thursday, but also ponder your own blessings—I bet you have more to be thankful for than you realize.