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The year has been difficult for many across the globe health-wise, financially, socially, and more. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we might need to be reminded that we all still have things to be thankful for. Let’s take a look at five fictional characters that teach us to be thankful. Each of them teaches us to be thankful in different ways and through different circumstances. However, they all show healthy ways to be grateful, even when it is hard. Kimmy Schmidt, Frodo Baggins, Olaf, Hazel Grace Lancaster, and Piglet are just a few characters that show us how to be thankful all year round.
Kimmy Schmidt – Thankful In The Everyday
Kimmy Schmidt has plenty of things to complain about. Being trapped in an underground bunker for 15 years, building a new life from scratch all while struggling to survive in New York City, is not the ideal situation. However, Kimmy does not let her overall negative circumstances affect her grateful attitude.
From encouraging her fellow bunker mates through forced labor to dealing with a New York housewife’s demands, Kimmy leverages her ability to see the good in life to drive her own narrative towards success. Her positive attitude allows her to hang on to hope, even when situations don’t turn out the way she wants. Even when she fails out of college, is unlucky in love, or quite literally facing her fears and trauma, Kimmy knows life is still worth living. Kimmy inspires us to look at life as an adventure and setbacks as challenges to be thankful for.
Frodo – Thankful At The End
Frodo keeps a brave spirit through the entire journey to Mordor. However, he knows his journey would never have been completed without his faithful companion Sam. When Frodo began the journey, he had a fellowship of powerful warriors and veritable royalty by his side. As the war for the ring intensifies, the party is pulled in different directions. Only Sam stays with Frodo from the first steps away from the Shire to the fires of Mount Doom.
At the end of the line, when Sauron is defeated, and the power holding Mordor together is falling, Frodo makes it known how much he appreciates Sam’s presence. Frodo reminds us to take stock of what truly matters in our life. Even if it is the end of all things, it means we have survived this long with our friends at our side.
Olaf – Thankful For The Moment
Olaf is literally made of an unstable substance, destined to return to liquid at the first sign of warmth. However, his wonder and gratitude for the moments he has are what bring joy and unity to the kingdom of Arendelle. Olaf does not let the fear of future calamity darken his outlook.
He is thankful for the moments he has with his friends and loved ones and does not let anxiety take away from his joy. Olaf isn’t naive about the pain in the world. He sees Elsa’s pain and the rejection Ana feels when she can’t understand her sister. Even when Olaf starts to fade when Elsa’s powers weaken, he is thankful for permanent things: love and hugs. His joy stems from his realization that one can be thankful for the little moments of joy we experience every day.
Hazel Lancaster – Thankful In Love
I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I’m grateful.
Hazel Lancaster
Hazel Grace Lancaster lives her life to the fullest with a fiery spirit. She is not afraid to speak her mind and feel the emotions that come with life’s unfairness. As she falls in love with Augustus, she discovers true gratitude for the relationship they had. This authentic gratitude lasts even through the pain of love, loss, and pain. Her compassion and desire to fully live life makes the pain even harder. However, she knows the only way to move forward is to revel in the “little infinity” of love and memories that she and Augustus have together. Their love is stronger than the hurt.
Piglet – Thankful In The Good Times
Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.
A. A. Milne
We all enjoy the good times in life, rare they may be. When everything seems to be looking up, we are emotionally secure, and we are satisfied, it can be easy to take some things for granted. Piglet reminds us that life will never be entirely perfect, so we ought to be especially thankful for while we are experiencing bliss. The hundred-acre wood is a world where one can escape to and remember what it means to be carefree. This setting still has its conflicts, but overall, it is a bucolic community. Piglet loves his friends and knows they love him back. This support and stability make the rocky times more bearable and the good times wonderful.
Fandom Appreciation
Being thankful does not, in any way, invalidate the suffering or pain we go through. In fact, our gratitude can be what pulls us through the darkest of situations. Even when the scales are tipped in the negative, we can be thankful for the fandoms we are a part of and the joy they bring to our lives. Our fandoms give us worlds to escape to and characters to inspire us to forge ahead.
Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude
Ralph Waldo Emerson
As we prepare to face a holiday season filled with uncertainty, it is even more important to step back and take stock of how much we can be thankful for. We can be thankful every day for love, the moment, the good times, and even at the end. This Thanksgiving, take a moment to reflect on the different ways you can be thankful, just like the characters in your favorite fandoms.