Thank you. These two simple words are defined as: “An expression used when acknowledging a gift, service or compliment.” Such a short, simple phrase can produce immense feelings in both the giver and the receiver of this phrase.

Have you ever had those times when "Thank you" just didn't seem to be enough, yet it seemed to be the only words to say? Or have you been on the receiving end of "Thank you" when the person saying those words had tears in their eyes and love in their hearts?

Saying "Thank you" goes much deeper than just saying those two little words.

There have been a gazillion studies done proving that people who keep gratitude journals, or just keep track of what they are thankful for, are happier people. They tend to be more optimistic, have more energy, are healthier, and are more understanding of others as a whole.

According to Lab Director and doctor Robert Emmons, people who participate in expressing gratitude tend to exercise more frequently, make better progress towards personal goals, have higher energy, relate better to other people and overall report fewer health ailments compared to those who only focus on the hassles of life or who were nonchalant about life in general.

WebMD states that gratitude helps us better manage stress. Stress can and does make us sick. Being thankful boosts our immune system, as an attitude of gratitude tends to make us more optimistic.

The Thanksgiving holiday is a time to stop and reflect on the blessings we have in our lives. With a bounty of food on the table and most often being surrounded by loved ones, we have plenty to be thankful for. However, let’s not dedicate just one day a year to being thankful.

Let’s look for ways to give thanks all year round:

• Instead of complaining about dirty dishes in the sink, be thankful you have food to cook and dishes to serve on.
• Instead of complaining about the traffic you drive in daily, give thanks that you have a car to drive and the physical capability to drive that car.
• Instead of complaining that your house is messy, be grateful you have a house to live in, and people in your life to share it with.
• Instead of complaining about office politics, be thankful you have a job that provides an income.

Giving thanks to God is the secret to true gratefulness. When we look outside of ourselves and intentionally look for our blessings, we grow more thankful for what we do have and less at the inconveniences we may experience.

Thanksgiving, whether it is to a person or to God, automatically moves our mindset from the negative, to a positive. A sincere attitude of thanksgiving causes us to look for the good in others while bringing peace to our spirit.

So have a Happy Thanksgiving :)

Shazzy Fitness Guest Blogger Mindy Kaye is a Christian Holistic Health Coach, wife, mother and nana. She has 3 blogs: one dedicated to life in general; one for her journey during and after breast cancer; and one called It All Begins with Dirt, which is dedicated to getting back to the basics of growing and eating healthy, organic foods.