It’s so easy to get caught up in the sadness and uncertainty of the current public health crisis, but so many of us have so much for which we should be thankful and grateful.
It’s important to look on the bright side of things and count our blessings in a time when it’s so easy to feel sad and have a loss of control.
I hope this list inspires you to think about the bright moments in your life too.
- I’m thankful for the dedication of essential workers. That means all of the healthcare workers, first responders, supermarket and other store employees, pharmacists, transportation employees, veterinarians, law enforcement, teachers, sanitation workers, restaurant workers, big box online retailers and fitness instructors and so many others who are truly essential employees and whose dedication right now is awe inspiring.
My family is everything - I’m thankful for my family. My mom died a few years ago of Multiple Myeloma, a blood and plasma cancer, and I wasn’t okay for a long time – dealing with grief is complicated. But then my brother met and married a wonderful woman, and they had a baby (with another one on the way). I’m so thankful for all of the joy my new extended family has brought into my life (including her parents with whom I have become very close). They helped me through the sudden end to my relationship and with their love and support, I was able to pick myself back up. I also have a wonderful dad and uncle who are always there for me. Family has never been more important than it is right now.
- I’m thankful for my health. Because my mom had cancer and many other family members have battled different kinds of cancers, I am always nervous that I too will get cancer. That’s why it’s so important to go for regular checkups. The coronavirus has only heightened my health concerns, leading me to make better decisions on food and exercise. My mom always said she wanted to go to Italy, and we talked about going on a girls’ trip with her best friend, but then she got sick and it was too late. I always think about how I wish we had taken that trip when we first spoke about it. I know this sounds corny, but you never know what can happen so live each day like it’s your last.
- I’m thankful for my dog. He is the bright spot in every single day. He waits for me to get out of the shower on the bath mat. He is so excited when I return home whether I’ve been gone for 8 minutes or 8 hours. He knows when I am sad. He gave me a reason to get out of bed when I wanted to hide from the world after a painful sudden breakup. He’s had a rough year – we had to move three times, which was hard for him and he’s had serious health issues, but he still manages to make me and others smile.
- I’m thankful for my friends. I learned a lot about who my true friends were over the past year. My friends are my rocks. They are family to me. I used to have a big group of friends, and I realized that all I need are a few really great friends who are like sisters. I am so lucky to have such an amazing group of women who support me and love me unconditionally.
- I’m thankful for my tribe. There are a few people in my industry who I know that I can call, email, text (or send a carrier pigeon) and ask them for advice on just about anything. If I am having a crisis, they will drop whatever they are doing to listen to me. These unofficial mentors are individuals who I know will always have my back and who I know will always be in my circle of trust. Everyone needs confidants like them – find yours.
- I’m thankful to Lexblog for giving me a voice. Especially Kevin O’Keefe who pushed me to write this blog and has supported me every step of the way.
- I’m thankful for JD Supra. This powerhouse content syndicator has given marketers who love to write like me a powerful platform to express ourselves and grow our own brands. I’ve been able to post articles about topics that interest me and also read articles from my peers. I can even track readership and engagement through its analytics platform. Here’s a link to my articles if you’d like to take a look. I’d like to give a special shout out to JD Supra’s Content Master Adrian Lurssen for always taking the time to expert wordsmith my pieces.
- I’m thankful for our industry’s camaraderie. I’m awestruck at the amazing community of supporters that we have within the LMA who advocate for each other, share each other’s content and promote each other’s successes. We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders, and we have each other’s backs. I learn so much from all of them. I am excited for the next generation of legal marketers to see the example we are setting forth for them of what it means to be true collaborators.
- I’m thankful for social media. Before social media came onto the scene as a marketing tool to disseminate information in a more effective way than ever before, I was good at what I did, but then LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and the other platforms exploded and something just clicked for me. I was able to use my content background to help me find innovative ways to use social media for brand building and lead generation, especially right now as online networking is the only way we can market ourselves. I’ve been lucky to have many opportunities to speak and write on social media topics, and I’m thankful to have found my niche.
- I’m thankful for Flywheel. I was never into spinning, but in early 2017, my dear friend Julie took me to Flywheel with her. It changed my life. Not only did I lose nearly 20 pounds but I gained a community of amazing friends who push me every day to be physically and mentally stronger. During the breakup I mentioned, they were unconditionally there for me and supportive. Although Flywheel is closed right now due to the pandemic, we are still just as close, texting every day and Zooming as much as we can.
- I’m thankful that I’m a naturally happy person. I’m lucky because happiness has always come easy to me even in times of hardship, but it isn’t as easy for everyone to achieve happiness, as I learned from University of Amherst “Science of Happiness” professor Catherine A. Sanderson, the keynote speaker at LMA18 who spoke about the fact that being happy is really good for you at work and at home. She said that successful people are not necessarily happy, but happy people are more likely to be successful. Sanderson stressed that happiness in your personal life doesn’t only correlate with success at work — it paves the way for it. In short, we become more successful at work when we are happier at home. I left her talk feeling energized, and well, happier, and I’ve tried to incorporate her tips for adding more joy into my daily life, and you can too. Watch my interview with Catherine. I also recapped her keynote talk in an article that I hope makes you happy and gives you strategies for being happier and being more successful.
I am grateful that you stuck around until the end of this article, and I hope that you and your families are safe and well.