With the holiday season basically here, it makes me reflect on the things in my life that I am lucky to have. All too often, it is easy to dwell on the negative things in our lives or the things that we didn't get to have. It is easy to be jealous of others and unhappy with what is going on in our lives. The holidays are not the time to worry. I wish that the kindness and thankfulness that goes on during the holiday season could be year round. It seems that people are happier and more willing to give than other times of the year.

Use this holiday season to get in the mood of just being thankful. Try to bring that through to every day. Just the fact that we get to wake up is a miracle and a blessing. Be thankful that you have family and friends that love and care about you. You may have relatives that you don't speak to or don't have a solid relationship with. Reach out to them. Think about something every day that makes you happy and thankful to be alive.

Personally, I have really struggled lately to stay positive. I am in a new city and I don't know a lot of people. Talking on the phone is never the same as in person, but reaching out to my friends has been really helpful to me. It reminds me that every though we may be far away, I always have someone who cares about what is going on in my life. This holiday season I am really going to work at being more giving. I am going to text and call people who I haven't spoken to in a while. I am going to do my best to mend relationships that are broken and be more understanding of other people's views and decisions. Most of all, I am going to just be thankful that I get another day of life. God does give some beautiful gifts. There is a quote I heard once that went along the lines of "This is the oldest you are and youngest you will ever be again." That really hits me. You never have the same moment as you have now. Don't worry about tomorrow or yesterday. Just be thankful that you have right now.