What Are You Thankful For?

We're entering holiday season, which means tons of parties, dinners, and other social gatherings - with tons of couples. When you're single, this can be an emotional time of year. You may wonder, why does everyone else seem to find the right person, but not me? Instead of throwing yourself a pity party because you don't have a date for holiday festivities, try another approach.

Because we just had Thanksgiving and Christmas is right around the corner, we should all take time to be thankful for what we do have in our lives, rather than being wistful about what we don't. No matter what you think is missing from your life, chances are, you have more blessings than a lot of people around you. It's good to take some time and remember all of the things that bring love and happiness to our lives. Plus, it helps put us in the right frame of mind for dating. I have a list to get you started:

Family. Does Mom call you on a regular basis, just to check in? Is your sister the first person you call when you need advice? Family is so important to our general sense of belonging, so enjoy them this holiday season. Even if Aunt Susie gets a little nosy or difficult when she has too much egg nog. They are your family, and that is cause for thanks.

Friends. Your friends are the ones who are there for you, through thick and thin and many bad dates as well as good ones. They cheer you on and comfort you when you're down. Friends provide a sense of community, support and companionship. They also are fun to go out with when you need a break from all the holiday stress. Isn't that worth celebrating?

Your previous relationships. Even if they didn't work out, every relationship has something valuable to teach us. Every one of your exes left you a changed person, and helped you grow - even if the relationship itself seemed like a mistake. So, be grateful even to those partners who hurt you: they only helped make you stronger.

Your livelihood. Maybe you followed your passion and now make a good living from it, or maybe you managed to keep your boring desk job amidst a recent round of layoffs. Regardless of where you might want to be in a year or five years, be thankful for where you are right now. You are gaining valuable experience, and you're better off than many people who are looking for work.

Your neighborhood. Do you live in a city where you can walk to restaurants, or to work? Is there a special café where you grab your coffee every morning? Or do you live in a small town where you see the leaves change each season? Perhaps you love tennis, hiking, or just being outdoors? Regardless of where you live, be grateful for what is immediately around you, and find the beauty in it.