This Thanksgiving season I want to do something a little different. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it is a reminder to express gratitude and gratitude is my favorite emotion to express. I believe that gratitude is not expressed often enough and I think it feels nice both to give and receive.

As important as it is to express gratitude towards others, I believe that it is just as important to express gratitude for ourselves. Expressing gratitude for oneself can often times be construed as being egotistical or narcissistic which can be true. In some cases however, I believe that honoring ourselves can be a healthy sign of confidence.

So in the spirit of displaying healthy confidence, I want to take the time to thank myself. I am a good person. I work hard. I care hard. I love hard. I have contributed a lot and have much more still to offer. I treat people with respect and try my best to be of service to others when I can. I have intentionally chosen a career dedicated to working with and for others and I am committed to creating and making change in this world.

Life is not easy. I know hardship. I know pain. I know loss and grief as well as judgement and ridicule. I have experienced days in which getting out of bed feels impossible as well as months where living has been a difficult task in and of itself. I have channeled David, while standing in the face of Goliath, summoning courage and strength where there was none. I have stumbled and fallen, made mistakes time and time again and have let those I care about down from time to time.

Although I am not perfect, I am great. Honoring and thanking myself for all that I am and have to give has taken years to understand and make practice of; but, I have learned that I am worth it. I work hard for others and I have learned to work hard for myself as well.

I am thankful for the person that I am.