In the spirit of Thanksgiving I’ve felt inspired to make a new list in my notes app: the things I’m grateful for. With all the bad things happening in the world, it can be difficult to appreciate what is good, but with Thanksgiving approaching I’ve been reminded of what I’m thankful for and what makes me so privileged.

Above all, I’m grateful for my family. The more people I meet and get to know, the luckier I feel to have the family I do. I’m grateful for things like having home cooked dinner as a family nearly every day. I believe that very few people have a family as close and supportive as mine.

Other than family, I’m grateful for the coaches and teachers in my life. At times I find myself dismissing the efforts of my coaches or teachers by arguing that “it’s their job” or that “they get paid to be here”. But really, it’s much more than that. They go above and beyond to help me learn and set me up for success. All the extra things go unnoticed too often, and I don’t show my gratitude enough.

Then there’s little things that I’m grateful to have – the things I take for granted on the day to day. My own bedroom, that I can decorate how I want and have as my own. Spotify Premium, for listening to any music I want without ads. A driver’s license, which gives me freedom to go places and do things I want. Small luxuries like these are things that I’m grateful for.

Hopefully keeping this list will act as a reminder of all that I have to be thankful for. Thanksgiving comes as an excuse to reflect on the big and small things that there are to be grateful for.