Now that Beaufort County’s residents are stuffed full of turkey and pie, perhaps feeling as though they’re carrying some extra holiday pounds, and returning home from visiting family, life is quickly shifting back to normal.

For just one day, Americans seemed to take a breath and take a short moment to recognize the blessings in their lives, while also embracing the importance of family.

Thanksgiving is arguably one of the best days of the year, and there’s nothing quite like pausing for a minute to just be thankful.

But as with every year, employees are returning to work, weekend shoppers have come out in droves and the rushed hustle and bustle of life is back.

Thanksgiving may be an important day, but really it’s the time afterward that is of utmost importance.

Being grateful, extending generosity and making family time a priority should not just be a holiday affair. The spirit of Thanksgiving should be the spirit of every single day.

It can be hard to carve out time in the midst of long workdays and endless school basketball practices, but ultimately, the spirit of thankful giving is what makes the world a better place to live. It shouldn’t be honored for just one day. Thanksgiving should merely serve as a reminder to continue what one is already doing.

One should hug a spouse a little tighter each day, recognize the kindness in others and pass it on, and most importantly, take the time to be thankful for the life one has.

Just imagine how much better the world could be if everyone did this. For that matter, imagine what kind of community Beaufort County could be if all of its residents took this to heart.

Thanksgiving shouldn’t just be a holiday — it should be every day.