The Blessings of Gratitude

Next week, my family will celebrate Thanksgiving. The calendar tells me it is ‘late’ this year, falling in the last week of November. But 2024 has simply raced by. When did summer happen? Was there spring? Really, it feels like time is slipping away so fast I never have a minute to simply be. But this holiday gives us the time to pause and count our blessings. So indulge me now and let me count those blessings with you.

The Blessing of Family

This year, I am so very grateful for my family. My daughters are a deep source of joy in my life. The elder one has begun her dream job, and the younger one is exploring her passions in college. They continue to delight and challenge me. My husband and two dogs keep our home life interesting as our daughters become more independent. My family faces a challenge many face: caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Knowing that my dad is cared for with dignity reminds me that I am fortunate to enjoy good health. This year I will celebrate the joy of family and wellness.

The Blessing of Friends

In October, I attended LeadingAge’s annual conference. From the interesting sessions to the get-togethers with new and old friends, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Nashville. This year's experience was unlike any other for me. Maybe it was the venue, or maybe it was the right time in my career, but I came away overwhelmed by the blessings of my circle of both personal and professional friends. So before I serve our Thanksgiving feast, I will celebrate the gift of my many friendships.

The Blessing of Clients

This year has been one of great change in my professional life. I guided the transition of Sabal Group into Sabal Strategy. Change is seldom easy, and it’s never simple. But it can be immensely satisfying once the accountants and lawyers and designers and writers have done their work. In September, we launched the new company. These past three months have brought joy and gratitude on a daily basis. So on this holiday, I will be grateful for each and every client who has put their faith in our strategic work.

The Blessing of Gratitude

We’re all busy with important things to do and probably not important things to do. Our days are filled with needing to be somewhere, doing something. And though self-care is more present in our lives, I’m usually too busy to fully embrace the concept. That’s true about promising myself to be more grateful for all the blessings in my life. But this holiday reminds me to take the time, just for myself, to consciously acknowledge all of my blessings.?

I hope you’ll be sharing time with loved ones on November 28. Maybe your family shares what they’re grateful for before they feast on a splendid meal. Maybe you’ll jot something down in your gratitude journal. Or perhaps, as a private person, you’ll simply indulge in a few minutes of quiet, internal celebration of all things and people who bring you gratitude. Thank you for being such an important part of my life.