I’ve referred to it as the “top of the year.” It’s the end of one year, and the beginning of the next. It’s a time for friends, family and reflection. The holiday season kicks off with over-eating turkey and ends with a brand-spanking new year in which to make a difference.
The next four weeks are going to be a great time, and while not directly productive, it will pay huge dividends in the upcoming year … and on that, you can depend.
It’s been a year when I’ve stopped referring to our offspring as children. They are truly adults, with their own lives, and their own families. I’m thankful that in spite of their parents’ little foibles and eccentricities, they turned out just fine … happy, productive members of society.
They have learned to be pretty good family, too! Just as I’ve learned to be a better parent.
I’ve had the blessing to be the alpha male for the first dozen years in my 12-year-old granddaughter’s life. That brightly burning torch has been passed to strong, capable and caring hands, and I’m supremely confident and thankful for his abilities.
I’m so thankful for my friends and acquaintances, who are such an important part of the tapestry of my life. I’ve learned awesome things from them, some of which I’ll use, and some of which is interesting “knowledge for the sake of knowledge”.
Eric challenged me to know the difference between cast and forged (it’s not trivial). His method of doing so was a page out of one of his bosses’ book, and that bit of knowledge will stick with me forever. Rick educated me on tribology, and it drove home a point that more is not always better, but sometimes it needs to be “just right”. I was invited by a retired NASCAR crew chief to “get on down here and help me build some engines”, probably the highest compliment he will give. At one friend’s urging, I went to a pen convention (mostly fountain pens), and it was simply amazing and eye-opening.
So many bits of knowledge and observations, lovingly given and gratefully received.
I’m grateful for every day in which I learn something and every moment in which I react as a thinking, caring being. Just a little bit better, every day.
I’ll also remain a change agent – a “Pro Troublemaker” who embraces change and leads from wherever I happen to be, in an effort to add value. While I’m not always successful, there is nothing better than getting home at night with that smile that says you made someone think, shared what you learned from life, and possibly, just possibly, made the outcome a little bit better.
I’m thankful for the friend who invited me to participate in a committee where I’m the outlier. The lone numbers person in a sea of those who “feel”. Selfishly, I learned so much about their point of view, and they now understand what “the metric of success” is, especially when they are spending money taken from taxpayers. It might appear to be a win-win situation, but trust me, I’ve learned much more about their point of view than they have of mine. I’m grateful for all of them. Good people endeavoring to make a difference. There is nothing better.
I’m reminded that I’m no longer in “the target demographic,” and that the current generation in charge is running the show. They have different priorities from my generation, and I know their solutions are going to be different. While different is not always better, better is always different. They “got this,” and I say that with heartfelt enthusiasm and gratitude. They are going to rock it and do great.
I’m grateful for this holiday season, and all that it offers. I hope our paths cross, and that we can both be grateful for the exchange.
