This has been one rough year.

The economy is in the pits, millions are out of work, and the horizon isn't looking too bright. It could be years before we're out of this hole, even though people have been forecasting the end of the recession since last spring. Either way, some experts are predicting that life will never be like it was again -- the "new normal" they're calling it.

So what's there to give thanks for this Thanksgiving? That depends on how much you've been affected by the downturn, of course, but also on your perspective. Some people are indefatigable optimists, others incurable pessimists. There are those who will always be grateful for what they have, and those who will always want more, or what someone else has.

This holiday, I am grateful for my health -- a cliche, perhaps, but true -- my family and friends, and the simple fact that I will be celebrating Thanksgiving over a bountiful spread of food. Close to 50 million Americans aren't so lucky.

If you're fortunate enough to have a holiday meal to look forward to on Thursday, consider donating some of your leftovers to a local shelter or food drive. But don't stop there: you can also make this the greenest Thanksgiving you've ever had. Sarah Newman of Takepart.com offers these 10 tips for a truly sustainable holiday meal.

And if it's a little too late -- you've already put the turkey in the oven, haven't you? -- keep them in mind for next year, or for Christmas dinner. Either way, you can help make sure that there's something to be thankful for in the years to come. Sounds like a pretty good "new normal" to me.

[Image: Ms. Jones from Wikimedia Commons]