Ah, Thanksgiving. As warm stuffing is passed around and toast upon toast is made, I cannot help but notice how truly blessed I am to be living the life that I am a part of. DISCLAIMER: I don’t live some lavish high-class life; I have never flown first class and up until recently, I thought caviar was pronounced “cave-i-er” (how recently will remain a secret, bust just know how painfully embarrassing it was when I found out I was wrong). I do not live in the music video to Fergie’s “Glamorous,” but nonetheless, I am left speechless in gratitude. I am healthy, my family is healthy, I attend the best school in the nation (go ‘Noles), my belly is always full and my heart is always happy. I have more than what a majority of the world could ever fathom, more than I ever recognize. It is with this sense of gratitude and appreciation for what most college students see as “normal” that I have realized just how incredibly important it is for us to give back and to be involved in some type of charitable organization.
We have heard it our entire life, from Sunday school and kindergarten curriculum, to high school graduation requirements—community service is something everyone should participate in. But once we get to college, it is essentially for the first time, our personal choice whether or not we will spend our free time doing this. For many, it can be easy to let this moral obligation slip away in the hustle and bustle of college life (I go weeks without talking to my mom because I honestly forget that there is another part of my life outside of Tallahassee) and living on your own. But I urge us to all look within ourselves during this holiday and recognize everything we have been so lucky to receive, and work to make sure others have the same opportunities as us in some way or another.
It is in my opinion, that a majority of our generation has become almost immune to our graces and perhaps this is why we do not praise them as much as others might. I can say I am a 19-year-old female enrolled in college and not think twice about it because this is our “normal.” Frighteningly, this is not most people's “normal.” I can throw away a piece of toast because I burnt it without thinking that I am losing a meal because that is our “normal.” A huge population of the world would have gladly eaten my crispy bread. I can wake up every day and not worry about doctors appointments or test results or if I'll go to the hospital spontaneously today or not because that is my “normal." Meanwhile, there are families that spend more time in the Intensive Care Unit than their own home. It all comes down to not recognizing the seemingly small things that, in essence, dictate all the bigger things. When we join an organization aimed at providing for the less fortunate, we are forced to look within ourselves and see how blessed we are.
In my house, we play a game on thanksgiving where we go around and all say the best thing that has happened to us that year. Typically answers follow along the lines of promotions, engagements, down payments on houses and joining a gym. But this year, as the metaphorical talking stick is passed to me, I will express my gratitude for joining Dance Marathon, because it has helped me become more appreciative. I challenge you to do the same--as you cut into the pumpkin pie, think about something you are doing in your life to help others, or what you could be doing.
With that, I know you will have a very happy thanksgiving, with full bellies and warm hearts.
