Rid The Pettiness. Mute The Distractions. It’s Thanksgiving.

Calling 2016 the worst year ever is very much exaggeration. Yet people who say so actually mean it.

But how do you know 2016 is the worst year ever? No one has ever lived 2,016 years to make such a claim. Sure, 2016 hasn’t been great, but I can guarantee it isn’t the worst year ever.

Yeah, it’s been a turbulent year for America, traumatized by police shootings, a plethora of injustices, raucous riots and a forgettable, yet unforgettable, presidential election. But then again, 2016 is still not the worst year ever.

It’s perfectly normal to worry, and sometimes bicker, about our contorted and hurting America. Because we, the people, know we’re capable of more. And not because we’re petty nitpickers.

But today is not the day to worry, bicker, nitpick, riot, protest or show ignorance in anyway. And don’t call it Turkey Day. It’s Thanksgiving, a day of giving thanks and spending time with loved ones.

To put it bluntly, it’d be a cryin’ shame if you’d rather gloat or whine about the presidential election than have an intimate conversation with a family member. If you would, then my condolences to you for failing to see the big picture.

If you shun family members just because they have different political beliefs than you, that’s no longer a cryin’ shame. That’s — excuse my language — a damn shame.

In case you haven’t gotten the memo, don’t let the events over the past 11 months spoil today’s precious moment. Be thankful.

If you don’t know where to start, hold your family to the highest value. Not everyone can say they have a family.

Be even more appreciative if you have parents and/or siblings. A good friend of mine who’s only a year younger than me no longer has a mom or dad to share a Thanksgiving meal with.

As for me, I’m thankful for a lot.

I’m thankful for Jesus Christ dying on the cross so we, the ones who accept his gift, can prosper in eternity forever. And it’s OK if you’re not religious. Jesus was never religious either. He was a man, not a religion, who was crucified on the cross so we can make a choice to accept His invitation or not. The choice is ours. I’ve said yes, which is why I’m thankful.

I’m thankful for family and the food on the table. I’m thankful for the First Amendment, or there would be no days like today. I’d also be out of a job, most likely.

I’m thankful for everyone who believes in me as a person as a journalist. Not long ago, I was a C-average student in merit English, and to have the support from cherished mentors means more than words could ever express.

I’m thankful for sports and the ruthless Cowboys-Redskins rivalry (#HTTR) too.

Today is Thanksgiving. A day of giving thanks and counting blessings rather than bickering and whining about worldly issues.

Like Christmas isn’t about the presents, Thanksgiving isn’t about the turkey.

Who cares about inane social media posts and what Donald Trump is doing to prepare for presidency. Today is something bigger. Pen a friend. Strike a conversation. Stuff your plate with turkey and mashed potatoes. Simply, give thanks.