Seeing as today is Thanksgiving Day, I decided to discuss some of the more enlightening and noble aspects the national holiday other than binge eating, football, and yearning for crazy sales tomorrow. When you really think about it, everyday should really be "Thanksgiving", but I doubt any of us can be content (or healthy) eating ten pounds of food all day, every day in the year. But I do think that the spirit of the holiday, realizing our blessings and feeling grateful, can and should be done everyday. I certainly feel that my life is blessed beyond recognition, and so, on this joyous, if not extravagant day filled with TV marathons and the oh-so-beloved Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, I want to outline a few of the things I feel thankful for:
1. I'm thankful for being alive (a no-brainer).
2. I'm thankful for being healthy. Many times in life we all seem to forget that, somewhere out there, there is someone alive, but just barely clinging on, unable to truly enjoy "life" itself.
3. I'm thankful for my family, nuclear and extended. Family is a beautiful thing, which can uplift and enrich souls. I mean, c'mon, how many psychos and nuts in history have been orphans or at least had terrible parental figures?
4. I'm thankful for living in the US. Hey, I have to admit, despite all the flaws, inconsistencies, and double standards I witness everyday in a culture foreign from my own, I still appreciate the great opportunities I have in this country. I love Egypt, and I love to visit, but I wouldn't necessarily enjoy an "extended vacation" there.
5. I'm thankful for my friends. They make my school days fun and enjoyable, and give me a sense of belonging and welcome. And do I need to repeat the psycho bit?
6. I'm thankful for my religion. I have always felt comfortable, if not proud, of being a Muslim, despite all the recent incidents committed by a bunch of crazy, wack-job, hypocritical idiots who don't see the repercussions of their actions and the effect it has on peoples' understanding of Islam (hey, did they have no family or friends when they were younger?)
I could continue this list on and on until I reach infinity plus one, but, for the sake of space and not boring you with superfluous comments, I will have to stop here. Obviously there are many things that I have that I, almost criminally, take for granted, and I'm sure many of you out there might also be the same. I believe that it is incredibly important to engage in this sort of reflection every now and then, not only because it can make for good writing and get you points in a certain class, but also because when you realize all that you do have, that which you don't just seems so trivial.
And on that lovely not, I bid you all farewell. Happy Thanksgiving, and make sure not to eat too much or drive under the influence.
the King
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