For the past week, Thanksgiving has been the holiday on everyone's minds. Now that the one day of November known for eating mouth-watering food, family reunions, and turkey, is over, it is time to fully invest ourselves into Christmas or Chanukah-mode.

But, before we try and forget about how much food we stuffed our faces with, step back and think of what Thanksgiving really means for yourself. What I mean by this, is to simply ask yourself what you are thankful for.

Being that the question is so open-ended, it is very important to think outside the box. When asking people what they are thankful for, the three most common answers usually include: family, friends and the gift of life. All three of these answers are things I am beyond grateful for and appreciative of, but when I think of what I am truly thankful for, it is the gift of travel.

Thank you to the ones who make flying on an airplane possible. Thank you to the ones who control the boarders. Thank you to the flight attendants, pilots and staff for making travel possible. And finally, a huge "thank you" to my parents and grandparents for gifting me and allowing me to see the world that is just at my fingertips.

Without the gift of travel, I wouldn't be the person I am today. Seeing and exploring the many countries I am so fortunate to have visited has truly made me a strong, caring and philanthropic person. Before doing so, I never understood the extremeness of other areas that are in desperate need of love, support, and care. Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words, but actually going and seeing something first-hand is what motivates someone to make a difference.

As I visited these many countries, I had absolutely no idea what I was in for. I was completely unaware of the circumstances of the areas due to the fact that I only knew the norm of what I grew up in. Now being back in my hometown, I am able to see the extreme differences of both hemispheres of the world.

Seeing the world first hand has made me grow a love and passion to support people locally, nationally and globally, the ones who need it the most. This grown appreciation for travel is truly what has made Thanksgiving so special.

This day isn't just meant for a "Thankful for you!," text message, it is a time to be appreciative of everything you are so fortunate to have in life, big or small. So the next time you are asked what you are thankful for, really think about it; because I promise it will make that one day in November way more special than you could have ever imagined.