It's Thanksgiving, and though not everyone celebrates it, this time always makes me reflect deeply on what I'm grateful for.
This year, gratitude has been especially crucial for me. It's been a lifeline during some incredibly tough times. But in those moments, one thing has consistently kept me going: my profound appreciation for the miracle of consciousness.
The fact that we can experience wakeful moments, where we're aware of our own awareness, where we can make choices and exercise free will, is nothing short of miraculous.
Every day, every minute that I'm awake, I see it as a gift.
Even when I'm in the grips of depression, I try to remember that experiencing darkness helps me appreciate the light even more.
There's so much more I'm grateful for: my family, who show me unconditional love; my siblings and friends who stand by me through tough times; work opportunities that deeply energize me; the comfort of a warm bed and a soft pillow. And of course, my faith in God, my North Star, guiding me through life's challenges.
No matter what life throws at me, no hiccup can shake my belief in the miracle of life itself. My gratitude for it is infinite.