Every year I make a quick trip to Seattle to spend Thanksgiving day with my family. My siblings and I are all so spread out around the country so it is rare to get a big group of us in the same place at the same time, so I make the trip to Seattle.

Every year after our Thanksgiving feast we go around the table and everyone takes 10 seconds to say what they are thankful for. It's a wonderful thing, we all smile from ear to ear and it really is a feel-good moment.

I am not talking about the part about where we eat like we are getting ready for hibernation, I'm talking about how we all vocalize how grateful we are for things that we sometimes take for granted. Maybe it's the pie that keeps us smiling, or maybe it's the openness of being grateful. It is something I look forward to every year.

Did you know that being grateful makes you a happier person? According to Harvard Health Publishing's research, we all work better alongside people who thank us and acknowledge our work ethic.

Don't you love a boss that constantly acknowledges your work ethic and your dedication? Thank you's go a long way. The same can be said for relationships. "Individuals who took time to express gratitude for their partner not only felt more positive toward the other person but also felt more comfortable expressing concerns about their relationship." According to Harvard Medical School's research gratitude is important because it makes us happy people, and happy people are enjoyable to be around!