A couple months ago, one of my friends sent me a care package. The box was mostly full of our favorite snacks (naturally), but on the very top sat a little blue notebook. The textured cover read in a swirly script “in everything, give thanks.” It is a nice sentiment, but a really tough challenge in practice.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for that is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

In one of my business classes this semester, our professor encouraged us to start a gratitude journal. It sounds incredibly cheesy, but it has been surprisingly effective. These last few months have been quite difficult for a number of reasons. Some days, all I could manage to do was make a pot of tea, light a candle and climb back into bed. But even on the days I felt most helpless, I intentionally sat down with my gratitude journal. It never took longer than a few minutes to come up with at least three things I was grateful for that day.

It is easy to find things to complain about, but it is much more worthwhile to pinpoint positive moments. This exercise does not take away from the pain of heartbreak and loss, but it does bring a bit of perspective into the most frustrating situations.

Thanksgiving itself is a wonderful holiday; a built in day of the year to remember God’s faithfulness and to give thanks for undeserved gifts. Each year when we sit down to eat, my family goes around the table and shares what we’re thankful for. If I can’t quickly think of a profound statement, I default to the classic “friends and family” response. However, this year has left me thinking more about the significance of what I used to view as a cop-out answer.

My friends have always been a part of the family, and my family is an unparalleled support system. They are the people who remind me who I am and of all that I can be. Their constant presence is a challenge to my pessimistic nature; their existence proves that there is good to be found in the world.

I will choose to be thankful for them everyday.

Thanksgiving has passed, and the Christmas season is upon us. For college students, that means many stressful finals and an attempt to gift shop on a very tight budget. The good news is, in the midst of all the studying and scrambling, there will be many wonderful moments along the way. There is opportunity for endless decorative Starbucks cups full of peppermint chocolate joy, procrastination with housemates, cozy reindeer socks and cheesy Christmas albums.

Even on the darkest days, there are small bits of light to be found. Whether it’s the people who knock on your bedroom door to check in after a day of studying or the extra bit of whipped cream on your mocha, each day offers a little something to be thankful for. Don’t miss it!