Things to appreciate today might include the way your family comes together for a hearty meal, whether it’s a classic feast with gravy, a thoughtful vegan spread, or even a fun fast food gathering with close friends. No matter how you celebrate, it’s the shared moments and meaningful connections that truly matter.

As we often do this time of year, you will probably take stock of your blessings, regardless of who is with you today or what meal you all eat together.

You can tweet about them, write about them, or just acknowledge them in your mind during a silent moment of thankfulness. You can even declare them as you all take turns at the table.

There are countless ways to express gratitude, and there are equally as many amazing things in life for which to be thankful.

I encourage you to take a moment today to be grateful for something that is frequently overlooked, while you take stock of all the good things in your life, such as your health, the food you eat, the freedoms you enjoy, the job that supports you, and the people you love.

Take some time today to appreciate yourself.

I am not referring to acknowledging that life is a miracle, even if it is undoubtedly amazing. I mean genuinely being grateful for everything you have accomplished for the world and yourself.

This may sound a little self-serving, but consider the value of what you do for other people as well as for yourself.

Our relationship with oneself is the foundation of all our relationships. It is impossible to love someone else if you do not love yourself. You probably will not make honorable decisions if you do not respect yourself. You are unlikely to use your time in a way that you could consider beneficial if you do not appreciate it.

Your treatment of yourself determines how you will treat others. Therefore, I believe that we should all acknowledge the good that we do every day. As we rattle off the physical attributes and circumstances that we consider favorable, we should pause to honor the individual who also endures the negative.

Here are some qualities you should be grateful for today.

The Good Things You Do for You

1. You allow yourself to grow and make a contribution to the world by learning new things.

2. You take good care of your body by eating a nutritious diet and exercising, though not always.

3. You prioritize your health in order to value your life.

4. You feel balanced when you take time off from work to just be.

5. You recover quickly from setbacks and bad days.

6. Even if it can be difficult to say no to others (and even if you occasionally people-please), you always act in your own best interests.

7. You choose to spend time with people who boost your self-esteem.

8. You strive for objectives that give you a sense of purpose and passion.

9. You grin, which makes you and everyone around you happy.

10. Even if you occasionally do not get enough sleep, you make sure you give yourself the rest you require to feel balanced and invigorated every day.

The Good Things You Do for Other People

1. You mean well.

2. You strive to maintain an open mind and accept individuals for who they are.

3. Regardless of your dry humor, sharp wit, or class-clown demeanor, you make people laugh.

4. You lend a sympathetic ear to those in need.

5. You have empathy for other people.

6. Even though it is not always the case, you make altruistic choices to protect the people you care about.

7. Even though it can be difficult at times, you are willing to forgive others when they make mistakes.

8. When you see something in someone else that you value, admire, or enjoy, you express it vocally.

9. You assist others in realizing their potential.

10. Despite the fact that vulnerability might occasionally be frightening, you are honest with people.

The Good Things You Do for the World

1. You are passionate about what you do, whether it be your job or something else entirely.

2. You wish to change things.

3. By voting, you can effect constructive change.

4. You protect our natural resources by recycling.

5. You decide against littering.

6. You are influencing the future generation if you are a parent.

7. You give back by volunteering, giving away used clothing, or just lending a hand to a complete stranger in need.

8. When you observe something that might be dangerous, you call for assistance.

9. Whether you are aware of it or not, you teach someone something worthwhile every day.

10. You improve yourself, and the best way to influence the world is to be the change you wish to see.

And finally, you are liked by everyone and you are fantastic. (All right, Rodney Dangerfield was that one, but it seemed appropriate!)

Although you may not agree with every one of these concepts, I am confident that most of them are accurate. As you list all the things you value today, keep in mind that you are at the top of many other people’s lists.

One last thing: I would like to get to know you because you are that important person who makes the world a better place. Managing a blog is an amusing experience. Even though I am aware that thousands of people read, a significant portion of the population has never left a remark.

I am doing this to get to know you. It is all worth it knowing you.

If you have a moment, say hello and briefly introduce yourself in the comments section. I would be happy to get to know you!

To all of you, a happy Thanksgiving!