Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it's the time when we actually step back from our busy lives and take the time to reflect and give thanks.

My perspective of what to be thankful for has changed throughout the course of my life. As I cycle through my life, every year changes me and changed what I'm thankful for. I'm always thankful for my life and how blessed I am for every amazing opportunity that I have, but this year I've learned to be thankful for even more.

This year, I lost my grandfather, and it's one of the toughest things that I have gone through in my entire life. Losing a family member, especially such an important figure in my life, has really given me a new perspective of my life and how I plan to live it.

Going through a time of loss has also taught me that there is so much in life that we take for granted and it's important to be thankful.

I'm thankful for my family and the friends who have become my family. Going through such a rough time has shown me that there are real people in life who truly care about you and love you. Hold onto the real ones because those are the people who really care.

Be thankful for those people and love them the same way that they love you.

I'm thankful for my health. My mom once said to me, "If you have your health, you have it all." It's completely true. If you're young and you're healthy, you should be thankful for that. I don't know how much time I have here, so I have learned that it's important to live your life fully. Be thankful that you can get up and live your life every single day.

Don't take a day for granted; go out and make memories that you look back at fondly.

I'm thankful for the ups and downs in my life. Without the highs and the lows, I wouldn't be able to see my own potential. I wouldn't be able to see how strong I am and to see how far I can go. When life gets hard, it's important to be thankful for it because as hard as it may be, you are going to become a better stronger person because of it.

I'm also thankful for the good times, as well. I am so blessed with so many good things in my life and they have molded me into who I am today.

I'm thankful for the all of the joys from the little things in life. Without all of the little moments that we share with people, we would never feel joy or get to remember all of the memories that we shared with someone.

Every little moment that comes my way, I try to treasure it because it's a way for me to feel happy and remember everything good that I have experienced.

I have learned that the smallest things can bring us the most joy.