Among the holiday season we are bombarded with the question, 'what are you most thankful for?' I am thankful for my family, my friends, school and all of the opportunities I have been given and especially those I have had to earn, but what am I most thankful for? That's the tough question.

Ability. Something most of us don't consider it to be a privilege, just something that simply is; however, think about where you would be without an able body.

I am a runner. I love to hike. I love to be outdoors, camp, explore and travel. My biggest passion is to volunteer and give back to my community, but how would I do all of what I love without ability.

I have never broken a bone and I had never been on crutches until middle school, but I will never forget my first, of many times, being on them. I had sprained my ankle in a relay race at summer camp and was in so much pain. I didn't think much of it when I was on my way home or when I was hobbling around my house, but it wasn't until the next day at camp that I would realize how frustrating the next few weeks were going to be. I had to jump up and down the steps each morning to get inside camp and someone had to near carry me onto the bus if we were going anywhere. I couldn't play games outside with the other kids and I couldn't run around with my friends outside. It was incredibly frustrating going from such an active lifestyle to nothing for a few weeks. Since this time, I have been on crutches for sprained ankles several times and even had a stress fracture that put me out of running for months.

Every morning I wake up, walk around, feed myself, go to class on my own and feel incredibly grateful. I have been blessed with a physically able body that listens to me, takes me where I want to go and allows me to do everything I love; such as, running, hiking, camping and volunteering. I am so thankful for my ability to function without limitations and being able to dream big for myself without having to think of any physical aspect holding me back.

I love volunteering and it makes me happier than just about anything on this earth. That is one of the biggest reason I am thankful for my ability. I know that no matter what idea I have for a service project or a volunteering opportunity, I won't be limited by my self. I am grateful that I can dream as big as I want to with service projects and know that my ability can better someone else's day in some way.

We often don't think about our ability being a privilege, but it definitely is. Think about veterans who have been injured, the elderly whose bodies don't work like they used to, people who are sick and haven't been able to leave a hospital bed in months. Overseeing the blessing of ability is far too common. Not everyone has the same blessing, but never forget the small things that enable you to live your life so normally.

Today and every day I am thankful for my body and that it is physically able to privilege me to do everything I love. I am thankful for the chances I have to volunteer and somehow make difference in anyone's life because that is all I want from this life. I am grateful for all my chances, where I have been, and where I am going. I am thankful my body has been gracious to me in allowing me to dream big knowing it hasn't failed me yet. I am thankful for the opportunities that have yet to come and the places I have yet to be because I know wherever I go, I will learn something amazing. I am thankful for the life I live and all of the people who have been a part of it, the good and the bad.

Today and every day, I challenge you to acknowledge what you are most grateful for every day and appreciate it. Whether it be a person, a memory, or an ability- whatever it is, say thank you and never forget to be grateful.