It’s been a crazy year – a year of ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies. Too often, it’s too easy to focus on the negative things - the plane delays, the cancelled campaigns, the pinched nerve.
I wanted to take the time to appreciate all the things I’m thankful for.
- I’m thankful that TextureMedia (NaturallyCurly) celebrated its 16th year in business. As a former business reporter, I know that’s a big feat but too often it’s easy to forget what you’ve accomplished and focus on what you haven’t gotten done.
- I appreciate my amazing network of friends. They have been invaluable, providing support, advice and someone to drag me to yoga when I’d rather watch “The Voice.”
- I feel so blessed to have incredible co-workers who each bring something unique and special to the business. It’s important to know what you know and more important to know what you don’t know. And we have an amazing staff that is skilled at so many of the things I don’t know – whether it is marketing, programming or social media.
- I appreciate all the incredible business associates who have become friends – creative, passionate people who make my job so much more fun and rewarding.
- Even though it’s been a trying year with a teenage daughter, I’m so thankful for her. She brings much needed perspective to my life, when other things may seem overwhelming. Even though I get more than my share of eye rolls these days, nothing is better than an afternoon at the barn with her – without phones or other distractions.
- I am so thankful for my parents. It’s been a tough year for all of us. I always wanted to believe that we would live forever, and this year was a heartbreaking reality check that we have a limited time on this earth. Losing my uncle and aunt within six months of each other was devastating, and made me face the reality that my parents are getting older. I love watching my daughter Skype with my father as he tutors her on Algebra. The envelopes full of articles sent by my mother – articles about the dangers of texting and sugar and everything else that I’ve been getting since I was in college – don’t annoy me as much anymore. There will be a day when those envelopes no longer come.
This year, I tried to appreciate everything a little more. Rather than looking as a business trip as another exhausting trip, I saw it as an incredible opportunity to go to places like San Francisco and New York and Chicago. I gave thanks for the fact that I’ve had the opportunity to meet amazing people and experience things that have made my life richer and more meaningful.
The glass is always half full.
