A Spirit of Thanksgiving

Because of you, my cup runneth over. Thank you!

November is a month of gratitude. A time when we look back with thanks in our hearts for all the many gifts we have been given. The most important gifts that I have been given in my life are not creature comforts (though I do appreciate those as well). No. The most important gifts have been gifts of spirit. Today I want to publicly thank all the family and friends who have blessed me with the strength, knowledge, and fortitude that propels me forward every day. Without you there have been times that it would have been all too easy to give up and quit trying.

Throughout the years I have undertaken many adventures. Not all of which have been a success. The first business I started would never have been if it hadn’t been for the friend who said “I’m here for you. But only if you quit talking about it and DO IT! You are never going to feel prepared enough. You are never going to feel smart enough or good enough until you do it.” Because of that one statement I was able to spend the next several years making a living on my own terms. He was right. I never would think I was up to the task. But I was. I would never have known that if I hadn’t been challenged to just do it. That one push, and many like it, has stayed with me and motivated me through many more adventures since that time.

Another key person in my life likes to tell me to “never turn down a leadership role”. The thinking behind this is that even if you don’t know all the details of what might be involved, someone believes that you are capable of the job. Knowing that someone else believes you can, and having others who depend on you to come through, provides excellent motivation to learn and grow in whatever that role might be.

Then there are the people who are there to teach you. The ones who share the secrets of their success. The ones who point you in the right direction to learn all the things that will help you realize your goals and potential. The mentors. The ones who are generous with advice and opinions. The people who point out the things you may not have thought of that may be helpful. Chances are good that if you are traveling down a road, someone has traveled that road before. Many are happy to help you avoid the pitfalls they encountered. Keeping an open mind to their new or different ideas can sometimes be just what you need to take yourself to the next level. Then take what you learn and tailor it to your own style. Make it your own.

We all have people in our lives who seem all too eager to tear us down. Some may even think they are protecting us by doing so. I don’t really believe the person who told me “Just remember it could fail” really meant I wouldn’t succeed. Though it did (and sometimes still does) sting, I think she legitimately wanted me to do well. She was looking at it through the eyes of someone who was, herself, afraid of failure and who wanted to spare me that pain. This too can be a gift. Make it your mission to prove them wrong. The trick is to realize the point of view they are coming from and not take it in as your own. Then surround yourself with the people who tell you you CAN do whatever you believe you can. I have several of those. Friends who have offered me resources that at any given time may have been out of my reach. The ones who had faith in me when I have not had it in myself. The friends who built me up. The ones who, metaphorically speaking, stood in the background chanting the theme song from Rocky while I ran the proverbial stairs. I hope you all know how valuable you have been to me.

My biggest hope in life is that I can pay your generosity forward. That I can be an example of good to someone. To help them move down their path a bit more easily. To let them know they can and will be a success if they put in the work.

May your life be as full and blessed,

Jenny