Thanksgiving is in celebration of the fruits of the harvest and rejoicing in another successful growing season. We no longer only celebrate the harvest season, but rather, we acknowledge and cherish the accomplishments of the previous year. We assess what we bring to the table.

            Self-reflection is never an easy task. It allows us to see both the good and the bad in ourselves. It is up to us to focus on the positive and to allow ourselves to recognize the negative without letting it hold us back. I am an optimist, almost to a fault. I refuse to focus on the bad in people and as a result, I often miss the tell-tale signs that someone is going to take advantage. When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandma and as I result I’ve developed many of the same personality traits. I am a highly patient, forgiving person. Those two attributes, coupled with optimism, can often leave me in a position where I am forgiving someone over and over again for the same mistakes. I unfortunately often perpetuate the avoidance of learning from one’s mistakes. I, myself, am also slow to do so; I believe that if only I try hard enough to I can accomplish what I set my heart on. In this way, I am very stubborn person. My stubbornness is both good and bad: it allows me to stay steadfast to my morals and ideals of life but it also causes me to resist change. All of our characteristics have a good and bad application.

            We are often defined by our passions in life. I am an animal and nature lover. These passions have fueled my interest in sustainable development and agriculture. I hope to build my own tiny home right after college and from there continue to garden every year. My goal is to be able to grow and preserve enough produce from year to year that I eventually won’t have to go to the grocery store for produce. These aspirations give me focus and purpose in life. They are part of what guides my life. They force me to be resourceful, efficient, and hard working. Gardening brings me great joy, but it is not without many hours of hard work. Because I garden every year, I get to see how the dedication pays off over time. I love the days where I’ve gone through the garden, weeded, picked everything that’s ripe, and pruned anything that needs a little help, and I’ve been done in about an hour. It leaves me with such a feeling of accomplishment. Gardening has taught me a ton about responsibility and being accountable for your own actions. No one else cares if the garden isn’t weeded or over grown and no one is going to help me catch up if I fall behind. It’s my responsibility and my pride is one of the largest motivational factors. The same goes for my want to own a tiny home. My goal is to own a tiny house because I would love to be independent and responsible for my actions. I believe in being held accountable for your actions, no matter how devastating or insignificant. Accountability teaches you a lot about what you’re actually deciding to do. My life goals focus me.

            My values and goals shape my life. I am a kind, compassionate person who’s driven by aspirations and ideals. I hold a high level of respect for others, particularly those who are accountable for their own actions. All of these traits I am thankful for. This is what I bring to the table.