Happy Thanksgiving

Every year on Thanksgiving, I like to take some time to stop for a moment to think about all of the things for which I am thankful...and lately - it seems like a pretty long list!

I have found that this is especially important as we start the holiday season - a season of giving, of loving, but unfortunately, it is also a season of stress: Money, shopping, crowds, traffic, traveling to visit family or the pressure of hosting. In our offices, we work double duty to cover days off, winter colds or Flu, and vacation time. We work hard to complete year end projects, and attend many meetings to plan all of the ways we can close out the year strong to position ourselves for next year.

Whew. Quite a bit to think about - and the extra stress and pressure can push some to adopt a "Bah, Humbug" mentality! I have been there, and have had to make a conscious effort to enjoy what my family and I consider to be the most wonderful time of the year.

How? I simply try to think about the things for which I am thankful - and the things I look forward to the most during the upcoming Holiday Season. While my list of favorite things may not include "raindrops on roses" or "whiskers on kittens", here are the 6 things at the top of my list that bring a smile every time I think about them:

1. My Wife. My wife and I have been married for 21 years, and while she makes EVERY season special, she really shines during the holidays. She decorates, plays the music of the season on our piano, and bakes to a point that our home SMELLS like the holidays until spring! She is more than I could ever have hoped or wished for - and I still love her as much today as I did when we shared our "I do's" all of those years ago.
2. My Kids. I have a 17 year old girl and a 16 year old boy who are simply amazing, and the excitement that shows on their faces during the holiday season is infectious. They both have followed our family footsteps with music - and they are both very talented. Even though they are now teenagers, they still get excited at the little things in life...an example for me to follow.
3. My family and friends. I have a big family and a small group of close friends with whom I can share successes and failures, good times and bad, and who give me the support to take chances in an attempt to soar. I know that this is a luxury not everyone enjoys - and I am reminded every day just how blessed I am!
4. Health. It might sound a bit cliche, but health became a gift I began to really appreciate 12 years ago when my intestine ruptured and I almost almost died. Following 6 months off of work, 4 surgeries, and with the support of a wife who handled daily IV's and at-home nursing while managing our house and kids, I was able to fully recover. Reflecting on how close it truly came has made me look at things differently, and appreciate what "health" means even more.
5. My Job. A few weeks ago, I returned to the company I started my career in staffing with over 19 years ago. While the name has changed from Ajilon, Accounting Principals, and Parker + Lynch to simply LHH, my welcome home has been nothing short of amazing. I am so blessed to continue to be able to partner with my clients to find good people, and to help good people find a (better) job to support their own respective families.
6. My Career. For my entire working career, I have been lucky enough to work with people who become more like family than simply co-workers, and have been able to earn a living helping others. I have been able to embrace the "servant" mentality, and have been able to wake up every day feeling that I have purpose and get to truly make a difference! Looking back - who can ask for more?

This might sound like pretty obvious stuff, but whenever I start feeling the stress and pressure mounting, especially during the holidays, I try to think about being thankful, being grateful, reflecting on how truly blessed I am...and I smile.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Linked-In family and friends - and my best wishes for a wonderful, and happy, Holiday Season!!!