We do the same thing every year. On Valentines Day we buy our significant other flowers and tell everyone how much we love them, on New Years we swear we’re going to follow a strict diet and go to the gym more often this year, and on Thanksgiving we reflect on what we appreciate the most in our lives. Sadly what we also do every year is reserve those positive affirmations, our love, our graciousness, and let's face it we end up in the drive through at In n’ Out before the month is even over. We only allow these feelings and positive changes to influence our lives one day out of 365. With Thanksgiving around the corner many of us are reflecting on what we are Thankful for. Here are some small things in life that we all forget to appreciate every day. Hopefully this Thanksgiving we will all carry our appreciation throughout the year if we remember how great we actually have it in life.

Be thankful for….

Your education

As a college student almost all I hear is my friends (and myself included) complaining about tests and homework. It is very rare that any of us stop and remember how special it is to have the opportunity to receive a college education. We may dread the next assignment or grade now but in the long run we are all very lucky to have learned this much in life.

The environment

Climate change is real and happening and with a quickness people. It is time to wake up and realize how amazing it is to share this world with so many diverse species and how beautiful our planet is. Nature is all connected and it is our responsibility to respect and protect the one planet we have. You don’t have to completely change your life style to make a difference; sometimes even the smallest gestures help more than we know.

Your haters

Haters are your motivators, am I right? It is very difficult to show love to someone who has shown you the opposite but do not let anyone else rain on your parade. Let all the negativity in life go and accept everyone with a warm smile and graciousness, it is amazing how much your world will change. If anyone tells you that you cannot achieve your goals the best thing you can do is to prove them wrong and continue to stay positive no matter what.

Your voice

More young people are interested in political issues, environmental issues, and a broader scope of issues than in recent years. Be thankful for your voice. Be thankful we live in a country where you are granted free speech. Give thanks for the fact that you have the power to speak up for those without a voice. And appreciate the impact your words can have on this world.

Cute animal/food videos on Facebook & Instagram

I don’t know about you but there is nothing that can make me smile like watching a bunch or corgis flouncing around, or drooling over a Tasty cooking video. Whenever my friends send me a funny or uplifting video it has a huge impact on my mood even if it’s just momentary. Appreciate the little things in life that make you happy, smile, and laugh, once you cherish those smaller moments the bigger ones seem that much more special.

The people who smile and wave back even though you don’t know them

We’ve all been involved in an awkward encounter or two where we thought we knew someone but actually had never met them before…like ever. Whether you are on the giving or receiving end of this awkwardness we all should appreciate the good sports that smile and wave and are kind in every day life. Smiling and waving at a stranger could easily make their day so why the heck not? Everyone needs more positive energy in their lives so don’t ruin their day by saying I don’t know you and not waving back.

The “bad” influences in your life

We all can’t be perfect all the time and sometimes it is good to let your hair down and say F it. Go on adventures, try new things, go places you’ve never been, and live life while you still can. The future is unpredictable and life is too short to spend it self-conscious, bored, and judgmental. Give thanks for the “bad” influences in your life because sometimes the end up being the positive change you always needed.

Your ability to give, over what you get

Many people count their blessings based on what they have received in life. The true blessings come from what you have given. Find happiness in the happiness of others and make it your life goal to chase that high. Once you start focusing on what you can give rather than what you can get, the world becomes a much more fulfilling and happy place. Keeping up with your neighbors, or competing for the “best” this and the most expensive “that”, will not get you far in life. A big house full of objects means nothing compared to a small house with a full heart.

The people who are in it for the long haul

In life many people will come into your life and walk right out without any disruption. The people, who love you, stick by your side no matter how ugly or terrible things get, the ones who don’t judge you or discourage your dreams. These are the people who leave a lasting impact but unlike so many others they do not simply walk through your life, they stay with you through and through.

Who you are

There is only one you in this world. Too often we sit around and allow social media, jealousy, and society to confuse us into thinking we are less than others. It is important to appreciate all that you are and all that you have to offer to this world. Self-pity and chasing after anything other than your true self is a waste of time. Wake up every morning, look in the mirror, remind yourself how much you rock, and go kill it all day long. Once you learn to love yourself everything else falls into place much more naturally.