gratitude

Be Thankful

Published November 19, 2009

I found this in my files.  Seems appropriate for Thanksgiving.  The author is Unknown.

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.  If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times, during those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.  They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Grass is Greener

Published August 7, 2009

My desire to work at a large company started soon after I moved to Rochester (NY) in the 70’s.  It was certainly Kodak-world.  Come early winter, there were all sorts of store promotions trying to get some of the Kodak bonus money that was distributed mid-March.  When you signed paperwork at doctors offices etc.–working at Kodak  benefits was the default selection.  “No, I don’t work for Kodak,” I’d say meekly. Sure, I applied a few times, but I never got lucky.  Year after year, I envied the workers in March and fantacized what I would buy with my bonus money…if I had worked at Kodak.

Although I enjoyed my human resource management position, I never felt like I had “made it.”  My dream of working for a brand-name company continued to elude me–until the 90’s.

When I joined a small division of a large global pharmaceutical company–I thought I had gotten the best of both worlds.  I was the HR head of this division (less than 150 employees), enjoyed the corporate benefit package but had a lot of independence.  It was a great situation.

Then, the company merged.  “Even better,” I thought.  After getting an opportunity to relocate to the US Corporate Headquarters, I was very excited.  Now in my 50’s, there was ample flexibility to transfer within the company–I wouldn’t have to worry about looking for a job at another employer–I could retire there.

I was making more money than ever before.  I had finally achieved working for a large name-brand company…but I was miserable.  It would be several years before I figure out all the pieces  of why this wasn’t the right situation. There were many hard lessons for the 7 years I worked at that location.  I will write more about them in upcoming blogs, I’m sure.

Because of that experience, I learned a lot about myself–what I’m able to change, the importance of using my talents and being true to my values and essence.  The job didn’t turn out the way I had dreamed; but I now appreciate what I have–instead of focusing on what seems like a better alternative.  Ah!  Gratitude.

Have you ever found yourself envying others or another situation–only to learn it wasn’t like you had imagined?  I’d love to hear your experiences.

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