“Small” Things to Be Thankful For (11-21-23)

A group of drawings of turkeys

Description automatically generated This is a last-minute bonus blog. I was listening to the Inside Job podcast as I drove in this morning, and it talked about how when we share what we are thankful for this time around that most people share something similar like, “I’m thankful for my family, my health, my friends, etc.” These are all great things to be thankful for. The podcast talked about digging a little deeper to recognize other things you’re thankful for that don’t immediately pop into your mind. Often, these can be the “small” things that make life extra special.

Here is a quick list that pops into mind for me. I am thankful for

Coloring and doing art projects. I recently colored turkeys with my family, and it brought me an unexpected amount of joy.
Perfectly melted cheese on food, whether it’s a burger, sandwich, or omelette. There’s something magical about how cheese gives the food a warm cozy hug and holds it all together.
I don’t get these very often, but moments of quiet and stillness that enable you to feel the presence of something larger than yourself.
Seeing fog sweep over a field. It just looks magical. Bonus points if there is also a sunrise happening.
Trash talk and fantasy football.
That moment when YOUR song starts playing and instantly you are transported to a better place.
That moment when someone you care about achieves something and your heart wants to burst from cheering them on.
A good hug. I’m convinced if we had enough good hugs we could change the world.

The challenge: What are some “small” things you’re thankful for?

Have a jolly good Thanksgiving,

Andrew Embry

Showing Thanks and Appreciation (11-18-20)

Last week was about pumpkin spice and letting people love what (and who) they love. This week is about saying thanks and showing appreciation.

Next week is Thanksgiving, and it’s likely to be very different from past Thanksgivings. This causes me to reflect and be even more thankful than I have in the past and more aware of the blessings and people I’ve taken for granted. I am so fortunate to have amazing people in my life. It’s been a crazy year, and I know I wouldn’t have made it this far without my friends and family who helped care for me and my family through everything.

You might be wondering where this is going. During the holidays we often focus on being thankful for blessings, friends, and family. I think this Thanksgiving we can make an effort to be thankful and show appreciation to our colleagues as well. Recently I read this article about how remote workers want appreciation from their leaders more than ever. With everything going on right now, individuals tend to feel more undervalued than they ever have before both at work and at home. Have you felt that way this year? I’m guessing it’s safe to say we all have, as we’ve adjusted to so many new normal and constantly burned the candle at both ends trying to navigate life and work.

While the article points out this issue of feeling underappreciated, it also points out possible solutions. Doing simple things such as telling people thank you and that you appreciate them could go a long way to helping them feel valued. This small act doesn’t take a lot of time and effort, but it can have a HUGE impact. What are you thankful for? Who are you thankful for? Have you told them lately?

The challenge: Reach out to someone today and let them know how thankful you are for them and how much you appreciate them.

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry

Thankful for Breaking Bread (11-24-15)

This entry will be the last in the thankful series. This week I’m thankful for the opportunity to break bread with friends and family members.

If you work on my floor you know that almost every day somewhere around 12 I go to the break area and eat my lunch at the table. Whether it’s for 5 minutes or for 20 I step away and eat at a table every chance I get. People have asked me why I do this. Is it because I want a break in the day? This is part of it, but a big part of it is I think there is something special about taking the time to eat and connect with friends and family.

As I said in the first entry in this series I believe in the power of moments. I believe in the ability to turn a normal minute into something special. I believe in everyday magic, and I feel that eating with friends and family is a prime example of this. When you’re all together sharing an experience, whether it’s Thanksgiving, nightly meals at home, or just some beverages with friends it becomes more than just the time you spend together. Whenever you get together there’s this invisible groove and connection that blossoms.

I hope that you’ll be spending Thanksgiving with friends and family this year. If you are, I bet you could tell me right now what stories will be told. This is part of the shared experience, part of that invisible groove. The power isn’t in the words of the story, but the fact that we are together telling these stories.

This week I am thankful for the opportunity to break bread with friends and family. I hope you cherish your friends and family and have a wonderful holiday break. By the way, if you ever see me eating at a table, know that I’ve saved a seat for you.

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry

Thankful for Smiles and Laughter (11-18-15)

Last week I started a series about what I’m thankful for. This week I want to share why I’m thankful for the power of smiles and laughter. I’d like to invite you in and tell you a story about my Aunt Rhonda. My Aunt Rhonda couldn’t have kids, so she always treated me and her other nephews and nieces like her own children. I was her first nephew, so I was particularly spoiled. Some of my favorite memories involve her and my uncle. When I was a teenager they moved away to Baltimore and as you can imagine I really missed them.

My aunt and uncle returned about a year ago, moving in with my grandma, and I was excited to see my Aunt Rhonda again and watch as my girls got to know her and form their own special memories. Sounds perfect right? The only thing is that after she had lived here a few months there was something a little off about my aunt. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. She was exhausted all the time and losing a lot of weight, but she was working a lot of hours. Then it hit us. A few months ago my aunt was diagnosed with cancer. I saw her right after she was diagnosed, and I could barely recognize her. Fast forward to treatment and the chemo and the radiation were taking their toll on her. She couldn’t make it up the stairs. She was bed ridden on a sofa in the living room they had turned into a couch. This became her prison. She wasn’t herself. It was heart breaking to watch her go through this.

They say laughter is the best medicine. I would repeat this to myself as I packed my daughters in the minivan. I’d wonder if Rhonda would have the strength to see them. I’d wonder if the girls would add too much stress. The moment the girls entered the house magic would happen. Their laughter and smiles would bring back the aunt I had known. The bed that had once been my aunt’s prison was now their special island with pirate passwords, sails, and treasure. They were snuggling and coloring, talking about cartoons, superheroes, cats and princesses. My grandma, exhausted from taking care of my aunt, would laugh and grin, dancing and jumping around the room with the girls. For that brief moment, everyone in the house was healed and well.

Recently my aunt saw her oncologist and learned that she is in remission. She’s not out of the woods yet, but this is great news I’m thankful for. My aunt called shortly after she found out and left me a voicemail. It’s says, “I just want you to know that those girls were the best therapy I ever had.” I hope you share a smile and a laugh with someone today.

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry