This Thanksgiving, let us be thankful for giving thanks. Research has shown that practicing gratitude is a good way to deal with stress or anxiety. The simple act of saying a sincere thank you, or simply counting your blessings, can offer a host of physical and mental benefits.
That's why we are fortunate to have a national holiday dedicated to showing appreciation, reminding us to look for the good in our fellow Americans, in our shared experiences, and in ourselves. In that spirit, here are some of the people, events and more we are grateful for:
— Voters in the city and county of Los Angeles adopted important ethics and governance reforms this fall. The city will get independent redistricting and a stronger Ethics Commission, while the county will get a larger Board of Supervisors, an elected executive (a sort of county mayor), and, for the first time, its own ethics commission . These changes should give residents more representation, transparency and accountability.
— The federal government designated the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off California's central coast to protect the area's biodiversity and cultural heritage. The more than 4,500-square-mile reservation will be the first in California managed in cooperation with indigenous peoples.
— Californians approved Proposition 3, which guarantees marriage rights for same-sex couples. State voters had banned such marriages in 2008 by passing Proposition 8, and although that initiative was struck down by the courts, its language remained in the state Constitution. Now voters have amended the Constitution to recognize a fundamental right to marry and a greater degree of dignity for all.
– The Dodgers clinched their eighth World Series title with a thrilling come-from-behind Game 5 victory over the New York Yankees. Freddie Freeman's MVP performance throughout the series was something to behold, from his grand slam in the first game to the two-run single that helped the Dodgers win it all.
— The Los Angeles Unified School District is moving forward with a ban on student cell phone use during the school day. It won't be easy to take phones out of teens' hands, but it's the right thing to do for their academic success and well-being.
— Disneyland will replace the fume-spewing gasoline engines that power its popular Autopia attraction with clean, climate-friendly electric vehicles by 2026, finally returning the park's Tomorrowland to the future.
— Thanks to voter support for a sales tax increase under Measure A, Los Angeles County will receive billions of dollars annually for intervention and prevention services and affordable housing to alleviate the homelessness crisis in the region.
— The country is increasingly embracing the idea that not everyone needs to go to college to have a meaningful, well-paying career and a fulfilling life. New opportunities in training and employment are opening up, and it's about time; Switzerland has been doing this for years.
— California voters approved Proposition 4, a $10 billion state bond measure to fund drinking water, climate and conservation projects. Some of the money will be spent on protecting against wildfires, reducing air pollution and dealing with extreme heat events.
— College admissions could be fairer now that many schools are reinstating the requirement that applicants submit SAT or ACT scores. Standardized tests are imperfect, but they are closer to an objective, general measure than anything else available, especially in light of grade inflation.
— Angelenos overwhelmingly supported Measure HLA on the March ballot, calling for the city to add bike and bus lanes and pedestrian improvements. The strong support sent a clear message that voters want safer streets and climate-friendly transportation options.
— DreamWorks released the fun and beautiful animated film “The Wild Robot,” which reminded us of the meaning of family and the freedom to love even under oppression.
— Wild creatures still manage to share our urban and suburban spaces with us: deer make their way down the hillsides of Los Angeles, coyotes howl at passing sirens, mockingbirds run through their sets like DJs making megamixes, and mountain lions They sneak out of the canyons and into backyards before disappearing back into the darkness.
