Thanksgiving is the most overlooked holiday. With Christmas jingles already on the radio and wreathes already being hung, it seems like people are forgetting that there is an equally important holiday less than a week away. The only reason Thanksgiving is still on people’s radars at all is that it is the one day of the year where it is not only acceptable but encouraged to consume copious amounts of food. While the deliciousness of the food cannot be denied, the real reason for the holiday is fading away.
Thanksgiving was created as a national holiday in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln to give, “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” For one day a year, we are supposed to just sit back and give thanks for all the things that make our lives so special. Often though, our thankfulness only extends to our family, friends, and health. While those are all important to be thankful for, there are many other things that are not often discussed that we also need to be grateful for.
Recommended for you
Here are five unconventional things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving:
1. Clean Water
In our society today, water is so valuable yet so taken for granted. We use water to cook with, to shower in, and to clean our clothes with just to name a few of the innumerable things it is vital to. Without clean water, none of these activities would be safe. Millions of people die yearly from diseases stemming from the consumption of unsafe water. It is estimated that over six percent of deaths each year can be prevented with sanitized water. Be thankful that the water we use has been treated and will not make us sick.
2. The government
Not everyone likes the government of the United States. The divide in the beliefs between the two parties is real and significant. What we can be appreciative of is the political stability over the course of time. There may be shifts in power and changes in policy, but in the history of the United States, there has never been a successful coup against the government. We should not take for granted the fact that we have a safe political climate and a government that looks out for the best interests of its constituents, as many other nations are not afforded this luxury.
3. Google
Never in the history of the world has so much information been readily available to everyone at their fingertips. Whether it be through the computer or a smartphone, Google gives us the capacity to discover a wealth of information both instantly and freely. Google is so valuable in our society that the word itself has become synonymous with seeking knowledge, as the phrase “just Google it” is uttered daily. We need to be appreciative for this invaluable search engine as it gives us the most powerful tool of all: knowledge.
4. Differences in Geography
In America, but especially here in the northeast, there is a plethora of different geographic zones that give us the opportunity to explore a microcosm of the world. For example, in the northeast you are no more than a few hours away from the hustle-and-bustle of New York City, the beaches of New Jersey, or the renowned mountains of New England. This ability to travel short distances and find yourself in a whole new world is unheard of in other countries. We need to be grateful for this capability and cherish it as the valuable asset it is.
5. Leftovers
After all, modern Thanksgiving would not be the same without its signature foods. The only thing better than the food on Thanksgiving is the magnitude of meals that can be made with its leftovers. With just the leftover turkey alone, you can make a multitude of different meals such as turkey soup, turkey salad, or, my personal favorite, turkey sandwiches. Thanksgiving dinner is the gift that keeps on giving as the leftovers are often just as delicious as the initial meal. While leftovers may seem like a trivial thing to be thankful for in comparison to the others, just wait till you come home hungry from Black Friday shopping and there is a wealth of leftover food from the prior day. Then you will be thankful.
