With Thanksgiving not too far in our rear-view mirror, I find myself trying to savor not only the delicious food my mom prepared, but also the memories of all the kind words and grateful gestures that were exchanged during the days leading up to the holiday.

I challenge you to ask yourself the following: Why is it that we limit the omniscient spirit of thankfulness to a brief week in November, when in reality the gratefulness we express is the result of countless ways we interact every single day?

From a young age, self-improvement has always been a very important value to me. Whether I am addressing a skill that could use some fine-tuning, or just working on my public speaking, I know full-well that practicing and perfecting particular aspects of our lives can seem like a daunting task.

But in reality, I believe self-improvement can be achieved, or at least start to be achieved, by means of a very simple solution: thankfulness.

It all boils down to reflection and giving thanks because taking things for granted and feeling entitled to all of the joys (both big and small) in your world ultimately lead you down a path that lacks perspective.

Whether you are trying to improve your relationship with yourself or with others, reflecting on your life and expressing gratitude allows you to take a moment to appreciate things that play a greater role in your life than you'd expect.

Whether you write it, say it, or show it through action, practicing gratitude helps you be a better person and, hopefully, inspires others to express gratefulness as well.

So next time you're having a rough day, instead of dwelling on the negatives, try to give thanks for what you are fortunate enough to have that others do not.

The next time you feel down on yourself, thank God for all of your best innate qualities that others admire in you.

And the next time you feel like a friendship or relationship needs mending, consider how blessed you are to have that person in your life and all the ways they have helped you grow.

Think about all of the little things, both good and bad, that have played a role in shaping who you are and thank God for each one of those moments that tested your faith in Him.