2016 has been an eventful year, and Thanksgiving is a good time to reflect on that.

There has been a lot of loss, surprises, stressors, drama, and long, hard nights.

However, there have also been new opportunities, new memories, many laughs, many successes, and peace found.

Amidst the craziness of our lives, we sometimes forget to appreciate the good around us. Maybe that comes from our intense focus on the bad. What can we be doing better? What sucks right now? We all look at those flaws and those issues and give them more attention, even if the bigger chunks of our days are filled with good. This isn't always bad; it's natural. As people, I believe that our reach and our journey to wholeness is never done. We can always improve and strive to be better, do better. That natural drive to live and experience change is important, but it's easy to let that blind and shift your perspective. You get overwhelmed with your never-ending to-do list and forget to look at all you have achieved.

Take this holiday season to really think about what you've done since last season. For me, I wrote a play, won trophies, started a club, graduated high school, started college, and made many new friends and memories. I've had difficult weeks and breakdowns with disappointing news and hardships in between, but I've done a lot to be proud of. When my family asks me how I'm doing, I can genuinely say that I am happy. I am proud. I am grateful for all of the good thrown my way and for all of the friends around me to help me make some good of my own.

Happy holidays, friends and family. Let's enjoy food and good company, and let's be proud for how far we've come.