Thanks
On the heels of change come thanks.
Thanksgiving has become one of my favorite holidays because it sets aside a day for just being grateful for everything and anything. You could argue that many holidays - Mother's Day and Father's Day, Veterans Day, birthdays, etc. - are holidays and occasions for giving thanks to specific groups of people. But on Thanksgiving, well, I like to count up all those blessings and realize once again how fortunate I am.
First and foremost, I'm surrounded by people - my wife, my daughter, my family, relatives, colleagues, friends, peers, mentors, mentees, neighbors, acquaintances - all of whom are absolutely unique and gifted in some way, and for whom I'm very grateful to have as part of my experience of this world. My life is so rich due to your presence in my life. When I think about the remarkable web of people to whom I'm connected - oh my gosh, I'm almost overwhelmed by it. It is for you all that I am most grateful. Thank you.
For my own gifts (though it is still difficult to own them): my humor, my appreciation of music, my skills and abilities, my ability to listen to others and the times when I've been able to help others. My ability to still wonder at the world.
For all the material things and the physical world itself - the clothes on my back, the joys of food, the ability to support my family materially and financially, the wonders of the world itself: snow, trees, rocks, wind, sound, love, animals, plants, water, air, the amazing intricacy of life itself, and the astounding opportunity to be immersed in that life.
There's just so much to list. For all that I have now, for all that's come before, and for everything that's still to come - thank you. I've got my work cut out for me tomorrow.
