Of course, I'm thankful for my family, my friends, the roof over my head, the clothes on my back and other amazing blessings in my life, but I don't take as much time as I should to be grateful for the incredible things that make my life special.
1. The nonstop laughter in my household
Sometimes we're laughing at each other or at a social media post. Regardless, there is never a dull moment in this house. Sometimes it's just one person cackling at something dumb that they did, but the laughter echoing through the house is so priceless--it definitely makes a stressful study session all worthwhile.
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2. Gathering in the band room before school every morning
Every morning before school, all of the band kids congregate in the hallways and engage in the most hilarious conversations that you will ever hear (especially considering that it's 8 a.m.). After a long night of homework or an early morning meeting, jokes and stories are just what I need to energize me for the rest of the day. It's stronger than the two (sometimes three) shots of espresso that I drink every morning, and it puts me in a much better mood.
3. Laughter in general
There is absolutely nothing more rejuvenating than pure, genuine laughter. Not a little laugh that you do when you say a pun, but the rib-aching, choking laughter. The one that makes you cry so hard that there's makeup rolling down your cheeks, and makes your stomach hurt so hard that you can almost taste your last meal. Even with some of its negative physical side effects laughing is still the best feeling in the world, and making someone laugh is even better than laughing yourself.
4. Music
Whether playing it or appreciating it, my life would be meaningless without music. Not only because I've been in the band for almost six years, but because there are so many memories that I have attached to certain artists or certain songs. I associate the Pentatonix cover of "Hallelujah" with Saturday nights of belting it out with my best friend in his truck. Whenever I hear the song "Boogie Shoes," I remember Sunday mornings with my mom, dancing with her around the kitchen and laughing my butt off. One song can set the tone for an entire day, and there aren't many other things in the world with that kind of power.
5. Coffee
As a junior in high school, does this really need explaining?
6. "Veg" time
After working nonstop, nothing is better than putting on sweatpants, grabbing food, wrapping up in a blanket, and scrolling through the internet. It's such a rare occasion that I am more than thankful every time I can catch an hour to myself to just "veg."
7. School
Now, hear me out. School is incredibly stressful, especially when you're a junior, but to have that stress is, in certain aspects, a privilege. There are people my age around the world that don't have access to free public education, let alone challenging subjects, incredible teachers and a wide array of extracurricular activities. Even with all of the anxiety that I feel towards school, I'm beyond thankful for the access I have to such a crucial resource.
Taking time to be thankful for life is so important on all days of the year. The only time people think about it is when something unfortunate happens or around Thanksgiving which, itself, is unfortunate. Whether it's a big thing, like family, or small things, like my dad's jokes, take time to appreciate them every single day.
