Gratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. As Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I feel it is necessary to write just one more cliche article on being thankful. As corny as it sounds, being thankful is something we should all try to practice everyday, not just on this one special holiday while sitting around a stuffed turkey. While we sit in our warm homes, others not only just around the world, but even in our own neighborhoods are cold and hungry. If you expect and look forward to a nice meal with your family on Thanksgiving without even having to think twice about where the food or money for the food comes from, consider yourself blessed. Being thankful should be an everyday practice for all of us, not just a once a year event.

Being alive is literally a blessing in itself. Many of us, including myself, often take for granted the fact that there are people out there struggling for their last breath, while we blindly anticipate our next. Life is a beautiful and delicate gift we are all granted with but no one should ever forget that the gift of life can be taken away at any moment. By the time you forget to appreciate your life and live it to its greatest capacity you have already internally died. Appreciating your life not only enriches it but also the lives of the people around you as well.

Truthfully, I hate Black Friday and the fact that it is the day after Thanksgiving. Not even 24 hours after spending an entire day being thankful we rush into the stores and consume ourself with the newest and latest products. Lately Black Friday is not even limited to just Friday, as there are sales that begin as early as Wednesday. Yes it is nice to get new things, but when did we let the need for new things take over Thanksgiving? Mass consumerism has slowly began to take over the lives of many, and honestly I find it very sad. It is not materials that can make you happy in the long run, but the relationships and memories you build with others.

As you sit around the table filled with food with people who care about you this Thanksgiving, I hope you take a moment to appreciate all the things you have been blessed with, and remember those who are not as fortunate. Try to take a moment to really soak it all in and relish in the feeling of being thankful. Even if you were not blessed with as much as others, I hope you find something to be grateful for- even if it is just being alive.