Giving Thanks for Health

What makes Thanksgiving such a special day is that it is the one day each year that we take the time to really recognize and cherish all that we are thankful for. While we all have different things for which we are most thankful, I would like to propose that health or progress toward better health should be at the top of the list. Not to minimize the significance of friends and family, as it is these people that make life worth living, but without health, we may not have a life or at least a quality life in the first place. It is our body’s ability to sustain life, fight off infection and disease, and optimize brain function that allow us to enjoy our friends, family, hobbies, vocations, etc. Without our health, life may not be lived to its full potential, and when you only have one shot, it’s important that we cherish the health that we do have.

This is why I feel that for Thanksgiving this year it is worthwhile to really reflect on the impact that “health” has on our lives. If you are currently healthy, you can reflect on all the things that have been possible in your life because of your health. If you are currently working to improve your health, you can reflect on what is now possible that was not before. If you are feeling like you are at the bottom and there is nowhere but up from here, you can reflect on the opportunity that you have to make things better. This is one of the most remarkable attributes of humans: the ability to change. We can create the lives that we desire, and the fact that you are still alive means that you have an opportunity to improve your situation.

No matter what state your health is in, you can undoubtedly find something to be grateful for and find hope in the fact that even if things are not perfect right now, it could probably be worse, and you have the power to make things better. When you combine this with all the other things we have to be thankful for, we should come out of this year’s Turkey Day feeling pretty darn good. So have fun, enjoy each other’s company, and remember to give thanks for life, love, and happiness.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!