This past Sunday I was having a conversation with my good friend, Kristyn, from The Ohio State University. We are always arguing and clowning with each other about various things.

But this night, something was going to be said that would make me take a look at my life.

Between my hyperboles of saying, “Really Kristyn, I am the best thing since sliced bread,” and saying, “I can really only see myself being able to date 10 percent of the women in the world,” Kristyn would always respond by calling me a “lame loser” or ask, “Why are you so damn picky when it comes to women?”

Then Kristyn came out of the blue and said something that made me think. Kristyn said to me, “Darryl, you know what? You are a very blessed person. You have a lot of positive things going on in your life.”

At first I was thinking, “Yeah, yeah, I know I’m thankful for what I have.”

The next day I found myself sitting around the house whining about a 15-page history paper I have due this week, the time to chill that doesn’t exist in my life, how broke I am and graduate school stuff. But, while I sat there in the middle of my tirade, I thought about what Kristyn had said to me. I began to think about all the things that I had to be thankful for in my life. I sat there and began to write down all of the things I should really be thankful for.

I started to come up with me things on my list: I am a graduating college student, I am healthy and have a healthy family, I can afford a means of living, a great column every week, etc.

We all need to be thankful and grateful for what we have and not take any of it for granted. Everyday we walk around yapping about all the things messed up in our lives without even thinking about all the good things that are an intrinsic part of our lives.

To be honest, most people in this world take for granted much of things around them (even yours truly).

We need to not harp on the bad things occurring in our lives. If you do you will not be able to live a productive life.

I truly am a believer in the philosophy that everything happens for a reason. I try to optimistic in most of the situations in my life.

I am not saying every day is going to be peachy.

One day you might come outside to see your car is on fire. I don’t expect someone to say, “Golly geez, it is OK about my car being on fire, because this was supposed to happen for a reason.”

I am just saying you can’t wallow in your own problems too long. You are not the first person to have this happen to them.

I believe the more energy you put into something the more positive effect it will have in your life. So, if you are too into giving negative energy, then you will only receive a negative reaction.

What Kristyn said is pertinent to all our lives. We are all blessed and have something going for us. We just need to pull the good out of all the BS and be grateful for that good things and people in our lives.

If we don’t recognize all of the good things for what they are worth they will soon wither away like the wind.

Personally, I don’t agree with the whole historical context of Thanksgiving, with the Native Americans and Pilgrims having such a joyous occasion. But I do believe in the ideals and principles of Thanksgiving.

We need to be just not thankful for life and family during the holidays, but for every day.

So, while on Thanksgiving break, in between eating massive amounts of turkey, dressing and getting totally drunk with old friends from high school, just be thankful for all of the good things you have present in your life.Darryl Frierson

is a senior in journalism

and mass communication from St. Loius, Mo.