My Thanksgiving Tradition

For the past several years, at the suggestion of one of my brothers in Christ, I've woken up early on Thanksgiving day, grabbed a cup of coffee, and written down all that I'm truly thankful for.

The list is normally quite long as I have much to be grateful for. Then, as my family gathers around the table for Thanksgiving dinner, I read my list to them.

After I'm finished, we go around the table and each person offers their own contribution to the list. It’s a wonderful time to pause and remind ourselves of how blessed we truly are.

This year, I woke up the day before Thanksgiving and felt a tug to make a list of what I’m most thankful for in my professional life. I wanted to share that list with my clients, professional contacts and friends, so here goes...

First and foremost, I'm thankful that I have Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. It's He who guides every business decision I make and animates my thoughts and how I relate to those around me. It's through the lens of faith that I'm reminded of the dignity of work that we've been given and the important role I play in the lives of the people I'm in contact with on a daily basis.

I’m thankful for my wife, Jennifer, and my five children, Grace, Claire, Lillian, Benjamin and Joseph. My family is THE primary motivation for the work I do. I’m so thankful God has given me the gift of family to support, guide and direct me. It’s both humbling and challenging, but extremely rewarding.

I’m so very thankful for the clients I've been privileged to serve over the past 9+ years. Each of you have placed your trust in me and my firm to get results and I take that responsibility very seriously. I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your trusted advisor.

I’m thankful to my staff and all those who provide support to my firm, especially Lisa Bruemmer, my wife Jennifer and my Cornerstone International Group colleagues. Without your service, I wouldn't be able to do what I do.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your ongoing, undivided and unconditional support.

Finally, I’m so very thankful for the professional contacts I'm blessed to make each and every day. I find great satisfaction in knowing so many wonderful people who have touched my life in a positive way... and even some in not so positive ways. Either way, I learn from each and every connection.

That about sums it up. I’ll finish by saying I'm thankful for Thanksgiving... that one time of year when we take a short break from all of the craziness of business and reflect on what's most important in our lives.

In the end, it's people we should be most thankful for. It’s in our connections that we find meaning, especially when we treat each other with dignity and respect.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me!

Blessings to you all. I hope you had a wonderful, “people filled” Thanksgiving holiday!