Heartfelt Thanksgiving: What Are American Falun Gong Practitioners Grateful For This Year?

We asked, they answered!

As Thanksgiving approaches, we reached out to a diverse group of American Falun Gong practitioners from across the country to ask a simple yet reflective question: What are you grateful for this year?

Their backgrounds span different professions, ethnicities, and states—from New York to California, Ohio, Texas, and Maine. From a veteran and educators to a lawyer and a software engineer, they represent a broad spectrum of experiences across the country.

Despite their differences, their answers reflect a common thread of resilience, inner reflection, and hope.

Here’s a look at what these practitioners are thankful for this holiday season.

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LARRISON
Military Retired from Texas

My name is Larrison and I’m from Coalmine Canyon, Arizona on the Navajo Indian Reservation. I am Native American and an Iraq War Veteran. I am thankful for my father for introducing Falun Dafa to me in the winter of the year 2000. There have been many tribulations and trials throughout the years, but I am thankful that I have gained wisdom and virtue. Changing my vocabulary and thoughts, I have made a better world in my environment and relationships. Without cultivation, I would not be where I would be now.

TYISHA
Teacher from Ohio

This year has been filled with many blessings including the birth of my first child. I am grateful that my life is set up in a way that every day I'm able to practice being a good person. Even on the days that I may fail, I'm grateful to be able to continue trying.

JOHN
Lawyer from Maine

This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful that I was born into a good family, and for the abiding love of my parents and my siblings and nieces and nephews. I'm grateful that I found a perfect partner in my wife Christine, as well as my awesome step-daughter and step-son. I'm thankful that we live in a country where we're free to speak and believe and live as we choose. I'm thankful for the inspiring example of every brave soul who dares to persevere in their faith amidst injustice, oppression, and persecution. Most of all, I'm grateful that Falun Dafa delivered me from a life of chaos, stress, and malady, to one of serenity, good health, meaning, and purpose.

LILI
Software Engineer from California

On this Thanksgiving Day, I am filled with gratitude for this great country, the United States. I came to this country seven years ago for my graduate studies, but also because I yearned for freedom from the communist regime. The warmth and inclusiveness I've experienced here have been truly remarkable. I've built a good life here, with a decent job that allows me to support myself and my family. Two years ago, my mother sought asylum from China, and the United States generously welcomed her. This country has reunited me with my family and given us a place to belong. We are deeply grateful for everything this nation has offered us, and we are committed to contributing to its well-being in every way we can. God bless America, and God bless all benevolent people.

Dr. Sanchez
Professor from New York

I am from Mexico but currently live in New York. I am deeply grateful for having Falun Dafa in my life, as it fills me with light and inspiration every day. I am also profoundly thankful for my life journey, having grown up in a family that instilled in me a strong faith, which has given me the inner strength to reach where I am today. As a professor, I feel grateful and honored not only to share my knowledge with my students but also to guide them in becoming compassionate individuals who support and uplift one another.

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Take a moment to reflect on what you're grateful for this week and comment below to share your thoughts.

Happy Thanksgiving!