Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a day we spend time with friends and family over a delicious, homemade feast. It is most importantly a time to give thanks and to acknowledge all that we are fortunate enough to have. Enjoy your turkey, play a game of football, and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but just be sure to take a moment to share with everyone what you are thankful for. We here at Eco18 decided to share with you what we are thankful for in the hopes that we will inspire you to do the same.

“I’m thankful that I get to do what I love every day, surrounded by talented people. I’m thankful that I live at a time of discovery and advancement, in a country where you can still pursue your dreams. I’m very thankful for my good health and the love and encouragement of family and friends. And, I’m thankful for my sense of humor and positive outlook on life, it comes in handy every day!”– Sue Taggart

“Traveling through the journey of life, I am thankful this Thanksgiving that I have, so far, not had any serious health issues. Having had family members and close friends succumb to serious illnesses makes me stop and think how lucky I am that I have been able to avoid any major illness that can devastate one physically, mentally and financially.” – Dennis Machicao

“This year I am thankful for the big things like the amazing love and support from my fiancé, family, friends, my health and my family and friends’ health. I’m also thankful for the little things each day like my dog, my morning coffee, and to be able to live in a city that I love and am proud to call home.” – Lauren Verini

“November has been a big month for me, and a lot has happened for which I am incredibly thankful. At the beginning of the month, I had the opportunity to run the New York City Marathon, which was one of the most invigorating and inspirational things I have ever done. When I crossed the start line at the beginning of the race, I was overcome with gratitude–from the people volunteering, to the runners running beside me, to the endless amount of people cheering me on from the sidelines, I was almost brought to tears. As I crossed the finish line, I felt so thankful that my body had completed such a awesome physical challenge and so incredibly thankful for my family and friends who showered me with love and congratulations. A mere five days later, my sister and brother-in-law welcomed their first child and I became an aunt for the first time. Words can not even begin to express how thankful I am that my sister and my nephew are healthy and well and that I now have the sweetest little baby in my life to love and I could not be more grateful.” – Julie Yeagley

“There are so many things that I can think of that I am thankful for because over the 26 years that I have been on this planet I have met a lot of great people and many great things have happened! I have been able to live in two amazing places, Miami Beach and now New York City, and have met a few really great friends along the way that will always be there for me. The jobs that I have had have taught me so much and given me many life experiences that most people will never get. Most of all though I am thankful for my amazing Mom who has been there the entire 26 year journey of my life, I may only get to see her now a few times a year but I’m thankful for her the most everyday!” – April Donelson

“I am thankful for all the friends I have made this year. Recently I had the opportunity to participate in an Afterwork Theater Project Production of Hairspray. From it, I have learned so much about the world and everything in it because it forced me to change my daily routine. At first I saw this as an inconvenience, but the ability to make new discoveries in everyday life is something that many of us take for granted. When you get stuck in a “rut” or “daily routine” you become close-minded to everything around you and don’t experience the world for how truly amazing it is. It is important to take time every now and again to do something completely different, whether that be trying out for a musical or simply discovering another way to get to work, because you will always take something positive with you from it. It can be something you seen, someone you met or just the overall energy of that moment in time. From this experience I met some amazing people, learned some new things about myself and left feeling like a happier person. So I ask all of you this. How will you ‘inconvenience’ you daily routine tomorrow?” – Jon Porcasi

“This holiday season I am most thankful for my friends and family. As my college years start adding up and I begin to enter the ‘real world,’ I can always count on my family to help guide me in the right direction and to give me advice when I need it the most. This can be a very stressful time of year and I can’t be more thankful for my friends who keep me smiling through it all. Spending time with the people closest to me is my favorite part of the holiday.” – Julia Schwartz

“It is difficult to pinpoint all the things I am thankful for because I am always reminded of how blessed I am for something different. However, at this moment in time I can specifically say that I am thankful to be able to study at Fordham University. Attending a college in such a culturally rich city surrounded by people that foster my knowledge and creativity is a blessing that I try not to take for granted. I am most importantly thankful for my family and friends who continue to achieve great things, offer support in all of my endeavors, and provide me with love and happiness every day. I am also thankful that I am able to return these beautiful gifts and to spread the happiness they give me. I, of course, am thankful for their health and mine as well. The list goes on for what I am thankful for, from my beagle to art to the fact that the holiday season is here, but for now all I can do is show my appreciation and gratitude and encourage my peers to do the same.” – Kayla Pantano

Give thanks and have a very happy Thanksgiving!

Feel free to share with us what you are grateful for, we would love to know!