And We Pause. To Give Thanks.

We’re all running and sprinting to better something – better our families, our companies, and our communities. And in this running and sprinting, we make many choices. 

A choice between private and public schools, between gourmet meals at home vs. at restaurants, between job offers with x stock options vs. x+y options, between this new shiny device vs. that iPhone 11 Pro, this exotic vacation here vs. that one in Greece or Turkey, and the list usually goes on. And if you’re living here in Silicon Valley, you’re spoilt a lot more! Our baseline keeps shifting every year to include a larger and more vibrant set of choices. 

We don’t get many chances to pause and reflect when things are moving at that speed. The ‘busyness’ of things hardly leaves space to extend thanks to all the forces that make all these ‘shiny choices’ possible. But it is essential nevertheless to spring back to the drawing board and acknowledge all the reasons for that good life this year.

So, thanks to parents who continue to put us in front of them. Hopping on those planes in a snap, traveling across continents with swollen legs with no sleep, and sometimes in wheelchairs to see our smiles. They NEVER forget to check on those stomach bugs, wish us on special days, make us our favorite meal, and get us that gift that we so desperately wanted no matter how expensive it is.

Thanks to all the life mentors and managers who coach us, inspire us, help us to become good at what we do in our careers, and provide the platform to succeed. They always hope we’ll stick with them on the journey but never complain when we don’t for more lush grass.  

Thanks to all the friends at home and work who light up our day. They celebrate happy moments with wine and coffee and help us live through the not-so-happy ones with well, wine and coffee. They reinforce that the journey perhaps is the most critical unit of measurement.

Thanks to our kids, who bring purpose to us. Simon Sinek comes to mind with his start with the why philosophy, and come to think of it; it boils down to making this world a better place for them. To ensure they are safe, responsible, independent, and happy!

The future is unpredictable and will always be. But at this moment, let us give thanks for what we’ve got. Share and make a meal, share a smile, a gift, and a happy moment with the ones you love.

Happy Thanksgiving!