Gratitude

Gratitude

I am entering the new year with a heart full of gratitude. I am grateful for our campuses, which are expanding with new spaces, like the Steven and Jann Paul Hall for Science and Engineering—and brimming with opportunities, like our new nursing program, to teach and learn, research and explore. I am grateful that hurricane season is behind us—and Mardi Gras season lies just ahead.

But above all, I am grateful for another year with the Tulane community. Gratitude is about recognizing and appreciating both our relationship?to?the world and our relationships?in?the world. Our students, our faculty, our staff, our alumni, our families, and our partners in New Orleans and around the world remind me of who we are and what we can do when we all come together.

We often picture gratitude like a Norman Rockwell?painting—people gathered around a feast. It is easy to be grateful in those moments, where there is abundance and harmony. But I believe we can find gratitude far from the Rockwellian dinner table, in moments both big and small—and I believe universities offer countless opportunities to encounter and express our appreciation.

For example, we can find reasons for gratitude in our researchers who tirelessly strive to understand?how?and?why. Their work is not a story of unqualified successes; it is a story of trial and error, disappointments and setbacks, dead ends and not-quites. But every step is a reason for gratitude because every step is a lesson. Every step is an example of perseverance. Every step, even a misstep, is a step closer to understanding. With understanding, we grow closer to treating and curing diseases, implementing better policies, and solving intractable problems.

We can be grateful for the lively debates inherent in communal living and learning. Debate gives us the chance to put our thoughts and feelings into words, to scrutinize our beliefs and examine their logic. When we exchange ideas—especially when we disagree—we learn to offer and receive feedback, identify gaps in our knowledge, and improve our ability to assess arguments. Free speech and open dialogue can be thorny, but difficult discussions are often the most important ones. That’s how we start to discover commonality, find compromise, and move forward.

Finally, we can be grateful for one another: the faculty who teach, research, and mentor; the students who make an ongoing commitment to New Orleans through service projects, the staff who empower our mission, and so many more. It’s inspiring to be part of a community that comes from every corner of the globe but shares a purpose and an energy unlike any other.

Our outlooks and experiences are unique, but our love of Tulane is something we all have in common. We listen to each other, challenge each other, and respect each other. We support and encourage our fellow Tulanians to fearlessly follow their passions and explore what’s possible—in 2024 and beyond.

Here’s to a new year full of gratitude—not for oneself, but for one’s own.

Absolutely, gratitude extends beyond moments of abundance to encompass every facet of our lives. Albert Einstein wonderfully said, "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." ?? Universities are indeed prime venues for nurturing this mindset. Speaking of miracles, Treegens is proud to be part of an upcoming event aiming for the Guinness World Record of Tree Planting, a testament to gratitude towards our planet. Learn more about this green miracle here: https://bit.ly/TreeGuinnessWorldRecord ??? #GratitudeInAction #Sustainability Leadership

回复

Absolutely, gratitude runs deeper than the most picturesque moments. As Oprah Winfrey once said, "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." Universities do offer a unique canvas for finding and expressing our gratitude in the daily learning, connections, and opportunities they present. ???? #Gratitude #HigherEdJourney #ManyMangoesSupports

回复
Eric Miller

President and CEO of Millerfoto Photography & Yearbooks and Big Cheese Photos.

1 年

Hi Mike. As a local vendor that services Tulane.. We are GRATEFUL that you chose a local vendor over a national one. We love the whole Tulane community. #keepitlocal

Denise Peery

VICE PRESIDENT | DIRECTOR | RECRUITER | EXECUTIVE SEARCH PARTNER | SALES | MARKETING | B2B | TOP TIER TALENT SOURCING

1 年

What wonderful reflective comments!

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Mike Fitts的更多文章

  • Turning the Tide on Loneliness: Lessons from New Orleans and Tulane

    Turning the Tide on Loneliness: Lessons from New Orleans and Tulane

    I was captivated and appalled by Derek Thompson’s article in this month’s issue of The Atlantic, “The Anti-Social…

    22 条评论
  • Looking to the Light

    Looking to the Light

    On Monday, we commemorate the national and university holiday honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

    4 条评论
  • Why We Gather: The Ritual and Spirit of Thanksgiving

    Why We Gather: The Ritual and Spirit of Thanksgiving

    The first Thanksgiving has been a popular subject of scholarship, art, literature, and criticism given its complex and…

    3 条评论
  • Honoring our Veterans with Support and Opportunity

    Honoring our Veterans with Support and Opportunity

    The observance of Veterans Day on November 11 is a cherished annual tradition that our nation holds dear. At Tulane…

    1 条评论
  • Tulane's Moonshot

    Tulane's Moonshot

    Last month, Tulane received nearly $23 million in funding as part of the Biden Cancer Moonshot initiative, which seeks…

    5 条评论
  • On the Rise: Tulane's Impact in New Orleans and Louisiana

    On the Rise: Tulane's Impact in New Orleans and Louisiana

    It has often been said that the future of Tulane University and the city of New Orleans are inextricably linked. This…

    9 条评论
  • Hurricane Season

    Hurricane Season

    New Orleanians talk about hurricanes a lot, which is no surprise given our history with major storms and how they have…

    3 条评论
  • Finding Commonality

    Finding Commonality

    Just a few weeks ago, I had the privilege of welcoming the class of 2027 to their new Tulane home. As they settle in…

    2 条评论
  • TUday & Tomorrow – Juneteenth

    TUday & Tomorrow – Juneteenth

    Dear Tulane Community: Our national holidays encourage us to connect with our communities, reflect on our history and…

    1 条评论
  • Tulane 2023 Commencement

    Tulane 2023 Commencement

    Dear Tulane Community, Can you believe it’s Commencement Eve? Tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m.

    3 条评论

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了