Happy Thanksgiving! As I’ve often said, it wasn’t the year we planned, but there are reasons to be grateful.

I bet somebody just rolled their eyes after reading that, but my statement is true. We focus too often on things that go wrong or something we don’t have instead of shouting ‘Yay!’ for all that’s good in our lives.

Item One on my thanks list: I’m grateful to be here. How about you? By “here” I don’t only mean being alive, which is a good thing. I mean survived the previous 10 months.

You made rapid adjustments during an unknown and unexpected situation. The decisions you made were the right ones. Please remember that to give yourself a boost.

Another reason to be thankful is for family, friends and friends who have become family.

I hope you have special people in your life that will be glad, sad, mad and crazy with you. All of us need at least one person to share good moments together and be there for each other all the other times.

I’ll give a shout-out to my cat, Stevens, for graciously giving cuddles every night; although he doesn’t help with the housework.

I’m thankful for the things sometimes taken for granted. The necessities of life: water, food, shelter, and clean clothes. I have a working car, computer and phone so I can earn a living. Glad I can read and also appreciate music, both of which were a boost for me over the past year.

I’m also thankful to people I’ve never met: our veterans and their families for their service and dedication. I’ll extend that to our police, fire and other first responders.

Also, my thanks go to all the great people in our community who generously helped others. Take a moment to thank all the people in your life that made a difference to you.

I’m not a rosy-cheeked Pollyanna; others will attest to this. I do try to look for the happy as much as possible.

Aristotle said, “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” Think of all the light in your life this Thanksgiving no matter how you plan to celebrate. Let that be your inspiration going into the future

From my Chamber of Commerce family and my family at home, I wish you and your family a joyous Thanksgiving.

Editor’s note: John Safin is president and CEO of the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce.