A Time to Give Thanks

Last week I was on a flight to Dallas and forgot my airplane reading, so I purchased a copy of The Economist 2011 Forecast Issue.

While perusing articles about war, population growth, economic struggle, environmental challenges, and the growing divide between the haves and have nots, I had the sobering realization that the things keeping me up at night are truly minor in comparison.

Reflecting on the past year, I do not even remember the projects, problems, and conflicts that seemed so urgent 12 months ago.  I do not remember the meetings I felt guilty about missing because I triaged other things first.   I do not remember the times I was late and felt too rushed to let in that driver trying to merge.

Our jobs are important and can define much of our self worth.   But jobs are transient.   Bosses come and go, organizational priorities change, and your personal star can rise and fall.   No one has a gravestone the reads "my only regret is that I did not attend more meetings".    I do remember those times I brought stress home, missed a family event, or stared at email while my family waited to start dinner.

So put away your Blackberry, stop the tweeting, change your Facebook status to 'focusing on my family' and embrace your loved ones.   Today is a day for giving thanks to the people around us, the relationships we've made, and the effort we need to put into sustaining them.

We're carving the roasted vegetables, ladling the squash soup and filing the rice bowls.   Everyone is healthy and our trajectory is good.

It's time to give thanks.