Recently, Seth Godin- a marketing guru and writer- shared this blog on Meaningful Work. “There's no doubt that we're doing more running around than ever before. More cutting of corners, counting of pennies, reading of reviews. More focus on making a profit, less on making a difference. But why? Once you have enough, isn't better the point? Better doesn't mean more. Better means generous, sustainable, worthy. Better means connection and quality and opportunity, too.”
This idea of "better" is a good reminder for me on Thanksgiving morning and something I should reread as we crash towards Christmas. “Better” to me applies to food and friends, play and work, and giving and receiving. And, better is precisely what I’m thankful for this year.
I’m thankful for the overwhelming generosity I get to witness and be a part of- specifically through my family’s A is for Africa work. I’m thankful for a more sustainable (for me) way of working as an independent consultant. I’m thankful for worthwhile projects that contribute in a big picture way to preserving our national parks, connecting community farms and schools, supporting paralyzed veterans, and collecting taxes in the most efficient, painless way possible (yes, really.)
I’m also thankful for the big and small connections that keep me tethered to Earth- my husband, our family, our bigger family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, clients, and community.
I’m thankful for the chance to define, then choose quality in products, services, and interactions.
And perhaps most of all, I’m thankful for better opportunities. When everything else I chase falls through the sieve, opportunity remains. And better opportunities afford the chance to make my life as I want.
It’s the single thing we all want, I think.
Cheers to a better Thanksgiving.
PS- Here's Seth's Thanksgiving Reader. It's a thought and connection-provoking collection of quotes, stories, and ideas designed to get the people around the table talking and reflecting. It's not preachy or silly. It might save you from an awkward political conversation or play-by-play of someone's adventures in potty training.