Thanksgiving: When Gratitude and Guilt Coexist

Thanksgiving is a celebration of gratitude — a moment to pause, breathe, and appreciate the blessings we hold in our hands and hearts. Yet sometimes, beneath the surface of celebration, a deeper struggle lives within us.

There are moments in life when we feel trapped in our own world — when the light seems too distant to reach. Pressured by circumstances, fear, or survival, we sometimes make choices that conflict with our values and the beliefs instilled in us by family, culture, and society. Even as we move forward, guilt can follow like a heavy shadow, reminding us of the paths we wish we had never taken.

This silent weight becomes a barrier — blocking us from peace, healing, and even the simple act of giving thanks. How do we express gratitude when pain and regret remain unfinished chapters in our story? How do we honor Thanksgiving when we still struggle to forgive ourselves?

And then there are the people — the ones who hurt us, misled us, or pushed us down roads we never wanted to walk. We hesitate to give thanks for hardships that nearly broke us. But sometimes… those same hardships taught us strength, awareness, and resilience we never knew we had.

Because in every moment, even the darkest ones — there is always a way, and there is always a choice.

Thanksgiving is not only about being thankful for the good. It is about recognizing the lessons and growth hidden inside the complicated.

This year, let us reflect with honesty:

• We acknowledge our mistakes — not to punish ourselves, but to grow from them.

• We express gratitude for the strength that carried us to today — even when we doubted ourselves.

• We extend forgiveness — to others, and most importantly, to our own hearts.

May we learn that the power of gratitude is not reserved for perfect lives —but for imperfect journeys full of courage.

Here’s to choosing light, choosing healing, and choosing to honor every step that brought us here.

Happy Thanksgiving — to the fighter, the survivor, the believer inside you.

By Elira Bregu