What are you grateful for?
Today, in a question from a staff member at Proctors to all other staff, someone simply queried, “What are you grateful for?”
So often, I let worries and fears overshadow the things that deserve my gratitude. It’s easy to fixate on what’s troubling or frightening in the world, and I spend more time in that headspace than I care to admit.
I am not making excuses, but I am paid to figure out what is going on in the world and how can I aim my organization to survive and contribute in the changes coming. I will add that before COVID, it was much easier to feel competent with that responsibility, and, now, with Trump 2, it feels absolutely impossible.
But, back to the theme here. Reading a number of staff responses to the initial question, I was reminded of the many things for which I am grateful and to which I depend to face this world.
At almost 71, I am grateful to get up every morning, regardless of how I have slept. I am grateful for the family of immigrants in which I was raised and the health and beauty of the family I have created. I am grateful after over 50 years of service to continue to be delighted to work every day on behalf of the culture of place and of our community.
And, I know deep on my being, that the work matters more today than ever before.
Tonight, as the scent of simmering tomatoes fills the kitchen as I make pasta sauce for my family and I sip a quiet scotch, I think of the daily anchors—family, food, familiar routines—that ground me, even as unsettling headlines fill the airwaves.
It is possible, and I sometimes forget maybe necessary, to hold two opposing thoughts and feelings in your mind at the same time: to understand and appreciate being satisfied and grateful, yet still be stunned and frightened.
Probably, it is our new reality.
After battling cancer 3 times, the last being the absolute worst, I find that I am still often too driven. But, then I see our 3 grandchildren's bikes in the drive and see them at the door. The joy of this, despite the risk of "pulling up roots" and moving (to Alabama! from Tennessee-(UT VOLS) and finding the plethora of new doctors as well as having to learn new stores, routes, and so on, makes me realize how blessed we are. The world is crazy, And the world has been crazy many times. BUT, people are inherently good, and I believe that we will survive this storm and future storms. God is with us and Family is paramount. We are BLESSED!