By Peggy Sue McRae,

Journal contributor

Happy Thanksgiving! Whatever the Thanksgiving holiday means to you – feasting with family, gathering with friends, a hike through autumn leaves, watching football, old movies, or of course eating pie – be sure to take a few moments to consider the original meaning of the holiday: giving thanks.

Like those pilgrims of old, we can at the very least be thankful to have survived another year. As islanders, it isn’t very hard to find something to be grateful for. All we have to do is look around at the natural beauty that surrounds us. Looking over the top of my computer right now, I see my neighbor’s majestic heritage apple tree and the few red apples still clinging to its top branches. I’m grateful for this view.

This year I’m especially grateful for the health professionals who help me to maintain a quality life and the Mullis Center with its array of friendly and helpful services. I’m also grateful I will be picking up locally grown apples, pears, and ground beef from the Food Hub later today.

The thing about gratitude is that it’s good for you! According to the American Psychological Association, numerous studies show practicing gratitude correlates to experiencing greater happiness regardless of your circumstances.

Especially for seniors who may be experiencing sadness or loss, practicing gratitude can help to mitigate negative emotions. As Willie Nelson put it, “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”

Practicing gratitude can reduce stress, help you sleep better and improve your relationships. Expressing thanks and appreciation to the people in your life strengthens the bonds of community, love and friendship.

Establishing a practice or habit of gratitude can be beneficial even if practiced only moments a day. My sister Sally told me that she keeps a small 5 x 7 inch notebook filling one page per day with things she is grateful for. The small size of the notebook makes this easy to accomplish. Keeping this simple practice over time a lifelong friend of hers noticed the difference. She has become a more positive person.

Practicing gratitude can take the form of journaling, writing thank you notes, or just making a point to say something kind to the people you encounter throughout your day. Enjoy celebrating Thanksgiving! It’s a good day to count your blessings.