Thanksgiving is a time when we stop, reflect on the past year, and give thanks for the things that have happened. It is also a time to gather around family and friends, eat whatever your heart desires, have a massive cheat day, and just relax.

For a lot of people, a tradition that they have is to go around the table and have everyone say what they’re thankful for. When I was younger, my mom used to try to make us do this. I would either run out of the room and hide or think of something really cheesy and stupid to say. I knew I had a lot to be thankful for, but never quite knew how to express it. I still have trouble even verbalizing it today, partly because because I don’t do well under pressure.

This past Thanksgiving holiday, we tried the tradition again. After dinner, we went around in a circle and said what we were thankful for, with most of us listing more than one thing. My heart was racing as my turn approached but the more I heard people talking, the more it got me thinking….

So what am I thankful for? Firstly, I’m thankful that I’ve managed to stay in this country after the election and have yet to be deported. (You may think that’s a joke, but it was a legitimate fear of mine. Even though I’m here legally.) On a more serious note, I am thankful to have a home away from home: at Le Moyne, at my friends’ houses who live in the area, and also in D.C. with my sister. I’m thankful that I made it to my senior year of college and will be graduating in May.

As cheesy as it sounds, I’m thankful for my family and friends. Honestly, I don’t know how I would live my life without them, their constant support, source of entertainment, love, and the spice they bring to my life. I’m also super thankful for my health and my life in general. I could sit here and continue to list off the things I’m thankful for, but I’m not going to. Mainly because the more I go on, the more mushy, sappy, and boring it’s going to get.

I do wonder though, when is the last time you stopped and truly thought about what you’re thankful for? All the things you have and are blessed with? That is, on a day other than Thanksgiving.

Sometimes I forget to just stop, take a second, and give thanks. We shouldn’t designate just one day out of the year to stop and think about what we are thankful for, it should be year-round occurrence. So I challenge you, along with myself, to stop every once in awhile and think about all we have. Whether it’s once a week or once a month, think of the things that have happened in your life, count your blessings, and give thanks.