My Thanksgiving list of things to be thankful for this year is long, with some very basic needs at the top: clean air, good health, my home, the firefighters who fought the Southern California wildfires and the safety of my pets, friends and family. My three-week bout with bronchitis, which I’m almost positive was brought on by smoke inhalation during the wildfires, gave me the unexpected opportunity to reflect upon and appreciate the things I take for granted. I imagine many Americans will feel the same way during this Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is such a special holiday, not only because of it''''''''s historical significance, but also because it captures the essence of what we should be doing every day — giving thanks. If we wake up to a new day, lack any form of pain, have a home, enough food to eat, a bed, a job, some form of transportation, our pets and other loved ones, then we have a lot to be thankful for. If we look around and try to count all of the things we have to be thankful for, something remarkable happens to us. We realize that these things are too numerous to count, and we develop an outlook that can transform our lives.

Several studies have been done by social psychologists on the impact gratitude plays on our happiness and well-being. So this Thanksgiving, let''s start the day by counting our blessings, and make this a habit for each day thereafter.

Our CatChannel family wishes you, your cats and loved ones a safe and happy Thanksgiving!