Thanksgiving

As I sit here reflecting on the day before Thanksgiving, it would be easy to focus on the challenges in my life—both personal and professional. The past few months have brought their fair share of struggles, and they are not over. Yet, I find myself choosing instead to focus on gratitude and the many blessings in my life.

These months have taught me a great deal about resilience and growth. Through difficulties, I’ve experienced immense personal and professional development—growth that wouldn’t have been possible without the challenges I faced. Each hardship brought hope, each frustration, satisfaction. For every barrier, new doors have opened—doors I couldn’t have imagined even six months ago.

I’ve been fortunate to meet incredible people, expand my professional connections, and step outside of my comfort zone. Over the past year, I’ve been humbled to receive recognition at the regional, national, and international levels as a leader whose skills are valued by others. I never could have imagined such opportunities—interviews, new collaborations, and more—and they’ve been a surprising and deeply rewarding part of my journey.

Life, as we all know, can be hard. It can bring trauma, tragedy, and moments of deep frustration. Yet, I firmly believe that how we choose to view our circumstances is entirely within our control. We can dwell on the difficulties, or we can focus on our abundance—the people, opportunities, and moments that bring joy and meaning.

This Thanksgiving, I am grateful. I’m thankful for my family and friends, for my colleagues and new connections, and even for the hard lessons I’ve learned over the past year. Those lessons have shaped who I am today—stronger, more confident, and secure in the knowledge of my value and purpose.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I encourage you to reflect on the blessings in your life, no matter how big or small. Wishing you and your loved ones a truly happy, joyful, and blessed Thanksgiving!