This Friday, rather than bring you another review, I want to take this time to really reflect on what I’m thankful for. I know Thanksgiving was yesterday, but as I’m sure all of you were, I was spending time with my family and eating delicious food. But I think it’s important that on Thanksgiving, and every other day of the year, we take note of what we are thankful for. Here is a short list of just a few things I am (or try to be) thankful for every day:

(Baby Kim from her freshman year of college.)

1. I am thankful to have the opportunity to attend a beautiful university and pursue my dreams.
I am part of the 7% of the world’s population that is going to earn a college degree. I am part of an even smaller percent that gets to attend their first-choice college. I try to never take for granted the short amount of time I have at such an amazing, beautiful university that has afforded me so many opportunities to further my education and push myself to grow in new ways. I am so fortunate to be able to take this time to develop my interests, expand my mind, and further my growth as an individual.

(My brother. He’s always got my back. [Even if he doesn’t show it.])

2. I am thankful that I have family and friends that support me in everything I do.
I am so incredibly lucky that I have a close group of friends that truly supports me in everything I try to do, whether it be with my school work or my personal endeavors. They check my blog regularly, come to events I’m hosting on campus for other organizations, and are just there for me through good times and bad. I know I’m among one of the lucky ones to have such good friends. I’m also incredibly lucky to have such supportive parents that let me dream higher than the clouds and encourage me to go after whatever makes me happy.

3. I am thankful to be able to try new things, make mistakes, and fail if need be.
If I want to be a vegetarian (which I am trying), I can do it. If I want to move to Nashville and try my hand at a music career (which I would fail miserably at), I can do it. I can try almost anything I want, and I can fail. I can also succeed —hopefully I will succeed. But I am fortunate enough to be able to fail at things because (as stated above) I have family that will support me no matter what. I have friends that will always be there for me. And I have so many other opportunities that other people in this world are not afforded. I can take risks, make mistakes, and grow from them, and I will try my darnedest not to take advantage of this opportunity.

(This is me having an able body. [This is also probably the most amount of pictures you will ever see of me on this blog. Oops.])

4. I am thankful to have an able body and mind.
As I worked out yesterday morning with my mom, I realized how truly lucky I am to have a body I can push to its limits and a mind that is always growing with more knowledge. These are the types of things we take for granted every day because they are just there, but imagine if they weren’t. Imagine if one day you had to think about moving your legs or couldn’t remember what you learned yesterday (and I mean really not remember). So while you can, push your body, do an extra set of push-ups and crunches, and push your mind by doing some crosswords (or reading more books) because one day, you may not be able to do these things.

5. I am thankful to be able to live in a world that I have the power to change.
As tough as life is some times, I know that I have the power to change it. The world is never going to be perfect. I’m never going to be able to ensure that everyone is kind to their neighbor or that pain never exists. But I can help people deal with that hurt, or encourage people to be better. With my words and my actions, I can affect this world. I can make it a better place one smile at a time. I have to believe in that power. One small act of kindness can change someone’s day, and someday, maybe the world.

Bonus thanks: I am thankful to be able to read as many books as I want and to share my passion with others. 

Let me know what you’re thankful for in the comments below.

Happy reading,
Kimberly