CULTIVATING A SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING

My days are spent working on year-end inventory, processing online sales orders and planning the 2011 season, so there is always much to do. But the breakneck pace of multiple coaches arriving simultaneously is done for another season. So as I file or pick, pack and ship orders, my mind has the time to ponder the more serious questions in life:  Is it really Michael Jackson singing on this latest release?  If an infomercial airs at 3: 00 a.m. and no one watches it, is it still obnoxious? Why is Elvis always at a Seven Eleven buying a Big Gulp whenever he’s spotted? 

But when my mind is not occupied with such lofty thoughts, I try to cultivate within myself a spirit of thanksgiving by remembering all of the great things for which to be thankful. It doesn’t take more than a few minutes of exposure to any newscast to feel blessed. When I see the people of Haiti trying to recover from a devastating earthquake and the ensuing cholera epidemic only to be flooded again by torrential rains, I realize how fortunate I am.

Since November is the month in which we Americans celebrate Thanksgiving (Our Canadian neighbors celebrated their national Thanksgiving last month), I am determined to remind myself more often about all the wonderful things I have in my life, and I’d encourage you to do the same. Oh, most of us are among the world’s wealthiest people. If you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back and food in your tummy, you’re vastly more wealthy than most of the world’s population. But lest you think I’m talking only of the material, I make it a habit to be thankful for the really important things, the things that make life worth living, like family and friends. I encourage each of you to do the same—make that overdo phone call, jot off a quick note, send that email—let the special people in your life know how much you care. And remember to give of yourself and your blessings to others who are in need in a way that does not draw attention to itself. For example, I take my hat off to the senior management here at Rock of ages. Many companies make certain their philanthropic endeavors always make the front page; whereas, Rock of Ages gives richly, but quietly, back to the communities in which its employees live. Giving generously but quietly is the Vermont way. Please pass it on. Let’s all choose to make thanksgiving a heart style rather than just a day in November filled with turkey and football.