Another Thanksgiving has come and gone, but that doesn't mean we have to stop being thankful for all the wonderful people and things in our lives. Thanksgiving is a great day to reflect on all those things, but why is it the only day we all collectively stop and publicly speak, Instagram, or make a lengthy Facebook post about all the things we're grateful for? There are so many things that make life worth living, and we should all appreciate those things more each and every day, instead of just on Thanksgiving. I'm so thankful for so many things in my own life, and I should reflect on how blessed I am more than I do.

I'm thankful for legs that are strong enough to carry me 26.2 miles.

I'm thankful for family and friends that love me unconditionally on my good days, and love me even more on my not-so-good days.

I'm thankful for 27 third-graders that think I'm a superhero because when I was out sick last week, I was "sick for only one day!"

I'm thankful for people who are different than me, that they can share with me their views and ideas.

I'm thankful for a three-legged dog who never fails to make me feel like the most special person in the world.

I'm thankful for those who are smarter than I am, who share their knowledge with me and help me grow.

I'm thankful for beaches with soft sand and the vast oceans that always remind me how great this planet is.

I'm thankful for the friends I've had for years and years, and the new friends I've had for just a few months.

I'm thankful for the amazing university I was lucky enough to spend four years at.

I'm thankful for people far more creative and talented than I am, who share their talent with the world in the form of art, music, and movies (particularly the Disney variety).

I'm thankful for delicious foods and the opportunity to try new foods at different restaurants.

I'm thankful for amazing organizations like animal rescues, crisis hotlines, and homeless shelters that provide those in need with critical support, and I'm thankful I can volunteer at those organizations.

I'm thankful for different methods of travel that allow me to see this awesome Earth that God created.

I'm thankful for a warm bed, for food in my stomach, and clothes in my closet.

Most of all, I'm thankful for a perfect God who died for imperfect sinners.

I'll never be able to put into words every single thing in my life I'm thankful for, but to appreciate these things each day instead of just on November 24th is important. I'm blessed to have had the opportunities I've had, and to know the people I know. There's no reason why Thanksgiving can't be everyday.