Tomorrow is the national day for each of us to pause and count our blessings. If possible, most will include family, friends, and health in that count. This year I am including my work – and I encourage you too as well.
Each of us works for an educational, healthcare, or other non-profit which has as its mission to serve, to enhance, and to strengthen communities big and small and individuals young and old. What a blessing to be called into such service!
We are privileged to be called to positions which provide support for life-saving technologies, mind-opening curricula, and the human extension of empathy and compassion. We are privileged to work with donors who are exceptionally generous and warm. We are privileged to support the front-line efforts of professors, doctors, counselors, pastors, teachers, and other caring professionals as they transform lives. We are, indeed, blessed!
And this blessing confers to each of us a primary benefit of feeling good about making a difference. That, in all of the vastness of the world, we are making better the lives of those who come into contact with our organizations. Simply put, that we matter.
I should reflect more regularly on this blessing. Too often I allow myself to view my work as just that – work. When the truth is that I’m privileged to serve alongside many of you and the returns and benefits I derive from this privilege have always outdistanced my investment. I know many of you are of the same opinion.
So, tomorrow, when you pause to recognize all that you have for which to be thankful, don’t forget to recall the awesome calling you’ve answered. The world is better because of your service – and so are you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
*note* I typically make blog entries three times each week (M-W-F). Because of the Thanksgiving holiday I will not be writing on Friday. See you all on Monday!
