This is a week of giving thanks, in case meaning of the juxtaposition of those words in regards to Thursday’s holiday have missed you.

That means, find the silver linings in life, and hold on to them.

Someone is very sick in your family? Cherish moments with them and be glad you get to.

Your love life has evaporated due to the end of a relationship? Find “the you” that you may have been missing, and rejoice in that.

Holiday plans stressing you out? Be aware that many people have absolutely no one to spend these times with, and be grateful that while they may be loud, obnoxious, and maybe even rude, they’re still yours.

Maybe you are one of those I mentioned above, and have nobody to spend time with this holiday season. Volunteer your time at a local soup kitchen and help those who are in need of more than companionship. Salvation Army in Brownwood has 2 meals this year, on Wednesday and Saturday, and could use a helping hand.

You are alive (obviously, if you’re reading this!) and that is a good thing. It means that you get to go forward from this point and make something of yourself. You get to create, to dream, to repair, to learn. To do whatever it is that you’ve been holding back on.

Be thankful that you have that opportunity, however small, and your outlook just might begin to change.

So hug that someone a bit tighter, smile a little free-er, laugh a little louder, and be just that much more thankful this week, and the rest of the year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ben Cox is the morning show host of “Ben Cox in the Morning” on KQBZ The Breeze, 96.9 FM in Brownwood Texas. He is the new in-stadium voice of the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets football team, & is also an event DJ for weddings, parties and the like. Ben can be contacted through the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce.

The thoughts and comments reflected in this column are those of the writer alone, and do not necessarily reflect those of Wendlee Broadcasting, or its affiliates.