Thanksgiving Day commands Americans to be grateful — as we should be. We are some of the most blessed people in the world with opportunity, freedom and basic necessities provided for the majority of us.

Truly, we should dedicate more than one day to being grateful, but at least we have this holiday of gratitude to count our blessings, rather than to focus on what we lack. I am an extremely optimistic person — I might even say to a fault — and I would like to share with you some things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving that on the surface might not scream "be thankful," but that I optimistically believe offer much value and are worth recognizing.

I am grateful when I am asked for money on the street. Around Marquette's campus, this is something that happens regularly for us.

OK, so when someone asks me for "spare change" or "$2 to ride the bus," I don't respond with, "I'm glad you asked! Thank you!" In fact, at times, I ignore the person in annoyance, frustration or fear. Other times, I apologize and say I don't have money. And sometimes I offer what money I have.

But my gratitude for these inquiries comes from the fact that I am thankful to be reminded that, although my needs might be taken care of, I am capable of and responsible for helping those whose needs are not met. Before I become too settled in a selfish feeling of satisfaction or contentment, these encounters remind me that I am not far from being in need — whether monetarily or otherwise. In fact, nobody is. I am not grateful to be asked for money so I can say to myself, "I'm so glad I'm not that person." But rather, I am thankful for the admonition to look outside my own world and to think about how I can contribute to someone else's. (Idealistically altruistic? Yes, but I told you, I'm an optimist.)

I am grateful for Milwaukee winters. Now, truly this is hard for me to say. I despise the below-zero temperatures. I can't stand walking to class with snow or some unnamed precipitation spraying my face while trying to keep my balance on the icy, slushy streets. The lack of sunlight takes its toll every winter, and yet I can say I am thankful for this tundra-like experience. Actually, no, I'm not. Let's move on…

Just kidding. I can think of a few reasons why I'm thankful for Milwaukee winters. Without them, I would not appreciate the warmer seasons. Having sun all the time would probably get boring, right? I think we are better off for having to endure the winters because we don't take beautiful weather for granted. Plus, the snowfalls create gorgeous scenes that can't be found in states like Arizona.

This one goes out to all you curve-setters. I am thankful for you. I probably won't be handing out "thank you" cards when your superior grades mean my efforts will be given a lesser grade than I would have received if not for the curve. However, when a professor announces that a test will be graded on a curve, knowing my grade will be a result of yours in comparison motivates me to put in extra study time. I am grateful for the challenge you present.

If your family is one of those that goes around the room on Thanksgiving and asks the members to announce what they are grateful for, it might be easy to say the usual — family, friends, boyfriend/girlfriend, good looks, unmatchable talent, intelligence … But where's the fun in that? Why not challenge yourself to be grateful where it is most difficult to recognize?