BlogNovember 2021

10 Reasons To Be Thankful Right Now

10 Reasons To Be Thankful Right Now

By Jeff Bogle

Nov 17, 2021

There are many reasons to be thankful, from family to fishing and seeing live events again. Here’s a list of things to be thankful for right now!

Things aren’t fully back to normal and frankly, they may never be but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a cornucopia of things to be thankful for right now. This is the perfect time to spend a few quiet moments asking yourself, “What are things to be thankful for?” As you work on your own things I'm thankful for list, consider some of these ideas.

Fishing

One of the original socially distanced activities, fishing has probably been there for you during the difficult days of the pandemic. The ability to get out to a body of water with your rod and reel, find some peace, and let the worries of the day fall away is one of the best reasons to be thankful.

Boating

Hitting the water in any boat, from a one person kayak to a pontoon with friends, is a gift that never gets old. As you compile your list of things to be thankful for, think about the good times you’ve had boating and give thanks to the ves-sel(s) that made those memories possible.

Family

We’re not saying that every day is a picnic, but your family can be your biggest ally, loudest cheerleader, and most ten-der shoulder to cry on during difficult times. If you’ve got a good one, you know that family is one of the things to be thankful for right now and always!

Friendships

Not all friendships are created equal, but if you have someone who will pick up the phone at 3am and help you no ques-tions asked, then that’s someone who should be on your list of things to be thankful for. Bonus points if that person will go fishing or camping with you!

Nature

She’s always out there, waiting to be discovered! When you think about reasons to be thankful, mother nature herself has to be on your own, “Things I'm thankful for” list. From hiking trails through forests, relaxing beaches, magnificent national parks and underrated state parks, stunning rock formations, and snowy mountain peaks, nature never disappoints. Here are 6 ways to spend a weekend in nature!

Live Events

Much of the world saw the doors of stadiums and concert halls shuttered for well over a year. The chance to attend live events again is absolutely one of the things to be thankful for right now!

Zoom

Hopefully you are back to seeing your favorite people in person but lets raise a toast to Zoom this Thanksgiving! The online meeting tool allowed us to see and talk to family and friends at a time when being with each other wasn’t safe or possible.

Your Health

If you’re reading this then you’ve made it through a global pandemic. Be thankful that you have your health and that you helped to keep those you love healthy too by making wise choices over the past couple of years when public safety was paramount.

The Night Sky

No matter what is happening on the ground — good or bad — the stars, moon and Milky Way are up there every night waiting to wow us in varying degrees based on cloud cover and how much artificial light is around us. Plus, stargazing is a fun and free outdoor activity!

Travel

Most international borders have reopened to vaccinated Americans, meaning we can once again visit La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, relax on a tiny island in The Maldives, or even just head up to Canada to see Niagara Falls — all things to be thankful for!

As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, consider these 10 fall outdoor activities. Each offers more reasons to be thank-ful for time spent together with family and friends.

Jeff Bogle
Jeff Bogle
Jeff is a dad of teen daughters, avid traveler, photographer, and freelance writer. He’s penned stories on family travel, outdoor recreation, the environment, parenting, and more for Fodor’s, Reader’s Digest, Parents Magazine, Good Housekeeping, PBS, and Esquire, among other publications. Find him on his blog, OWTK.com and on Instagram @OWTK. Jeff is also the publisher of the quarterly literary zine, Stanchion