Taking stock and being thankful

It's that time of year... where we start to nest because of the cooler temperatures, where we eat more soups and stews of root vegetables for the comfort of it all, and that we take the time to reflect on just what we've accomplished in the past year and what we are truly thankful for.

Any who have followed this blog for the past year know it's been a pretty rough year in my world in the professional arena.  But what any challenge will do - if we pay attention - is teach us lessons.  The biggest lessons I've learned?  That what I think I want may not really be best for me AND how incredibly blessed I am by the friendships that I have developed throughout my professional career.

As I found out this weekend that I will not be reimbursed for the four nights at the Chicago Hilton that I had requested, I reminded myself that my friends took up the plate and passed it such that they raised enough to cover that expense.  Who has friends like that?  Me.  I am humbled.  The decision of the governing body will have profound effect on my participation in the national association.  No final decisions have been made, but this year has taught me to really delve within myself to see what's best for me and make decisions accordingly.  The highest and best effort for the nurturing of the soul. 

I am reminded of a decision I made about 10 years ago to stop taking voice lessons professionally.  When the joy is no longer there and your lesson becomes something you dread instead of something you look forward to, something has to change.  When your professional association fails to meet your expectations, how do you respond? 

It's a challenge and sometimes painful to look that closely at oneself.  However, at this season of the year especially, we are called to do just that. 

I am thankful for the opportunities that have been afforded me in this, my chosen and beloved career path.  I am thankful for friends and family whose love and support has never been in doubt.  I am thankful for the ability to make choices instead of having them made for me.  I am thankful for a job to go to every day.  Oh, I am so thankful.

No matter what, it's very important to never lose sight of our blessings.  A very wonderful Thanksgiving to you all.