Thanksgiving, otherwise known as "El Dia de las Gracias" or "Feliz Dia de Accion de Gracias" in Spanish, is not only a time to show off your culinary skills and be surrounded by with the ones you love, but for many Latinos in the U.S., it's a time to be thankful for many of life's blessings.

While it's not a holiday celebrated in Latin America, Thanksgiving resonates with many Latinos, and it incorporates family and food, which Latinos embrace.

As someone who is Irish, Scottish, French Canadian and Colombian, I am thankful for having diversity in my life and being able to celebrate it in the United States. I am grateful that our country is acknowledging that Latinos play a major role in our society and media, and also bring incredible cultural components to our country. Most importantly, I am thankful for the love of my family and friends who are my best supporters and have taught me some of the most important lessons in life.

From a culinary standpoint, I am grateful for my Meme's meat stuffing, which tastes amazing and has been passed down for generations; I am thankful for my Abuelita's yummy mashed potatoes and delicious tamales that take hours of hard work to make; and I am thankful for my mother's mouth-watering peanut butter fudge.

So, what are other Latinos thankful for?

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor who received Harvard University's highest honor in the field of African and African-American studies this fall, is "humbled" and thankful for those who have led the way before her. She is first Latina to serve on the high court and for speaking frequently of her upbringing, helping to influence and inspire children trying to succeed in the face of adversity.

"I am always reminded and continue to remember that I never stand alone because I do stand on the shoulders ... of so many people in this room and everyone who preceded me to open the door of opportunity," Sotomayor said. "I try to remember that paying forward is an obligation that I must not only undertake but that gives meaning to all our lives."

Many Mexicans and Salvadorans are grateful to be here in the United States, according to a recent Pew Report, that says both Mexicans and Salvadorans share the most positive image of the U.S.

"Many believe that people who move to the U.S. lead a better life, and most of those who have family or friends who migrated say they have accomplished their goals while there," the report states. "Salvadorans, 67 percent of whom have family or friends in the U.S., express particularly favorable opinions of the U.S.; nearly six-in-ten would move to there if they could. Many fewer Mexicans (35 percent) they say the same."

The outpouring of optimism also comes with a sense of security in the U.S. because both countries see the public safety situation at home as "dire."

On a different end of the spectrum, Latino celebrities also are grateful on the home front and pay it forward as political activists as well.

Honduran-American actress America Ferrera and co-chair of Voto Latino is thankful and proud to be an American.

While at the Voto Latino Power Summit in Washington, DC, earlier this year, the 29-year-old actress shared her story about being born to immigrant parents and growing up in the U.S. and the opportunities she has had because of them.

"My name is America and I'm a proud American," Ferrera stated, "for the sole reason that my parents came to this country, for the same reason that millions of other families have come to this country for hundreds of years, for opportunity, she said. "For the chance for them, and for the chance for me, to thrive and to be able to fulfill our potential and to contribute."

Singer Gloria Estefan is thankful for the support of the LGBT community throughout her career, and she expressed her appreciation for the outpouring of love and support.

"I want to thank you so much, because the gay community has been behind me 100 percent," she said during an event held at the Miami Beach gay club Score at the beginning of the year. "'Conga' broke through in all the gay clubs before anybody else noticed it was a hot song. You guys have been close to my heart and always will be."

"Through her organization, Voto Latino, Rosario Dawson supports to multiple initiatives that encourage Latino mobilization and helps fight violence against women and climate change," according to The Huffington Post. "The Afro-latina has become a true heroine on social rights movements, opportunities for which she is very grateful."

"There are horror movies that are made, but those are fake horrors - there are plenty of real things to be scared about, and to want to do something about. I'm just grateful to be able to use my powers for good, not evil," Dawson told The Guardian.

Singer Selena Gomez is thankful for her family who has brought her strength during some tough times.

"My family's always there," she answered, when asked by Entertainment Tonight what she is most grateful for during the Glamour's Women 2012 event where the Mexican-American actress and singer was honored with the Independent Spirit Award for being the youngest U.S. Ambassador for UNICEF.

Whether you are a Supreme Court Justice, a celebrity, or an average person, we all have things to be thankful for - and while every Latin culture is distinct, we all share a common thread of love for our families, our cuisine, language and the hope for all to live with dignity and justice in the U.S. - all the amazing components that make up a modern-day, Latin Thanksgiving.