So not someone that likes to compromise my health, I figured I'd share some of my thankful thoughts.

As far as the parent lottery goes, I got the winning ticket. My parents are funny, sharp and smart. They're giving of their time and energy to their children and to each other, and they're ridiculously generous to charities and organizations. But at the same time, as New Yorkers, they have a strict no-bullshit policy: they weren't easy on me as a kid (or even now, come to think of it); they were adamant about teaching me right from wrong; they taught me how to be my own person and rely on myself. Mess with them, and they'll tell you right away (just ask me or the cable company or a car salesman).  They're more vocal and secure in themselves than I could ever be. They have qualities I always wished I'd grow into with time.

I admire my father's sharp wit and work ethic and my mother's compassion. As a cancer survivor, my mother taught me lessons about being proactive about your health—and about not giving up, even when dealt an unfair hand. My ever-hard working father taught me the power of hard work, personal responsibility and honesty. He's the kind of the guy who's insanely brilliant at what he does, but insists his success is the result of pure luck.

I know too many folks who aren't close to their families and it hits me sometimes just how lucky I am that I am. I'm one of the seemingly few who gets excited about family holiday time and when out-of-town relatives come to visit.

I'm close to my siblings, and even closer to a very special 86-year-old woman whose humor, gratitude, compassion and faith in God inspires me daily.

Real family aside, I've been lucky enough to surround myself with a great group of people in my life—from my boyfriend and lifelong friends. Though each have different qualities that make them uniquely them, they have one common thread: they have high moral standards and a love for something bigger than themselves.

I'm thankful for my employment, and for the fact that I get paid to do something I love. And I'm thankful for all of you who actually read what I have to say.

This month—one celebrating veterans and politics—makes me think, too. Though it's something that divides us, it's something that unifies us as well—we celebrate the country we make for ourselves. We have a voice. We have opportunity. We're allowed to feel rage against what our government does. We live in the best place in the world, and that's something I think we all take for granted sometimes. I'm perhaps more grateful for the people who protect these values for us.

I'm also grateful we live in a culture where we know about health—what's good for us and what's bad, even when we don't listen to it. I feel the same way about my faith and the basic knowledge of right versus wrong.

When we're struggling with daily life and its stresses, it's often hard to think about what's going right instead of what's not. But gratitude is something we should try—even if it's just this time of year. Plus, it's significantly better for your health than a slice of pie.