Thanksgiving 2020

In past years when I had a blog (RIP NeuerSpace.com), I would write a blog post the day before Thanksgiving about all of the things that I was thankful for.

I will admit that while I have so much to be thankful for, COVID has been a struggle. I thrive on live events. Concerts feed my soul. They recharge my batteries whether they need recharging or not. It gives me an excuse to see friends and spend time not thinking about work (not as easy as it sounds). Some people take vacations and travel. I just need a three-hour rock show or a Yankee game and I am completely reset.

Rather than focus on what's missing, tonight I am focused on gratitude and abundance. First, two questions: If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound and if you post on LinkedIn the night before Thanksgiving, does anyone see it?

Having attended the last pre-COVID concert, I know that it was March 10 at Madison Square Garden. My brother, my cousins, and more than a few friends saw The Allman Brothers 50th Anniversary concert. There was a sense in the air that something was coming, but we had no idea that in November we would still be feeling the impact. I am grateful I was there with those people, in that moment, shoulder to shoulder.

I am amazingly grateful that I have had extra time with my children. Every minute.

We celebrated my daughter's bat mitzvah in September. While it wasn't the celebration we imagined, it was more intimate and frankly, more enjoyable than the big party we had planned. It's a day I will always cherish.

During COVID, I started exercising. I would say exercising more, but that would imply that I exercised previously which I did not. My pre-COVID self would not recognize this version. I own (and use) both a rowing machine and a spin bike. Starting the day with some movement is something that's helped me immensely.

Coaching softball from July until early November was simply an experience that saved me in a lot of ways. Being on the field with both of my daughters, likely the last time I will coach my older one, was an escape to a happy place where all that mattered was the game.

All of that said, what I am REALLY thankful for tonight as I sit at home in Day 10 of a 14 day quarantine (direct exposure to COVID, but I am fine) is all of the memories, both pre-COVID and during COVID, with my friends and my family.

I live a tremendously full life. I don't always have balance. In fact, I would say that I rarely have balance. There's a great John Mellencamp quote, "I know there's a balance. I see it when I swing by." That's me.

That said, I have never regretted one night where I went to see friends, spent time with my family, attended a live event, traveled (even though I have major travel anxiety) or took my kids to do something they were interested in. They're all good memories. You know what I never say? "Wow...that time when I was sitting alone on the coach was spectacular."

I work hard so I can do all of the things that light my soul on fire.

At the end of the day, it's really all about the truly special people in my life who I am lucky enough to call my friends. You all help me more than you could ever know. George Clooney gave his closest friends $1m in cash. If I could, I would do the same for the people closest to me. I really would.

While we may have a cold, dark winter ahead, there are better times ahead...and for that, I am truly grateful.

"So you walk through the dark because that's where the next morning is." - BS