What Matters: Being Thankful in Thankless Times
These are not the best of times. From a business perspective, all you need to do is scan the articles to see the patterns. The phrase “Return On Investment” is one of the most common statements you’ll likely come across as you look for guidance in how to make the most of a tough economy. We’re all trying to figure out how to prove our worth. On a more personal level, it’s times like this that our work can seem nearly thankless—most of us are just grateful to be employed. In a couple of days my own family will be on our way to visit my in-laws in Michigan, a state hard hit by the economic downturn. I’ll be sitting across from relatives who are unsure of what the future holds for them. Maybe this scene sounds familiar to you.
Last year I asked if there was an experience you were thankful for. But that was then, and this is now. These are the times to be truly thankful for what we have versus what we don’t. It’s a good time to re-calibrate and re-prioritize. Sometimes it feels like we’re living in thankless times. When we’re all too busy justifying our own existence to be thankful for the existence of others.
But it’s exactly in these times that we come to terms with what really matters. It’s an opportunity to dial down our hectic lives if even for the moment. It’s an opportunity to reflect. That’s something I’m thankful for, even in times which seem thankless. That matters to me. So I ask you, in times like this, what matters to you?
Last 5 posts by David Armano
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Good health and lots of laughs. A great economy can’t buy me either of those.
I’m thankful I have a girlfriend who will make sure I get my butt off the computer so I spend time in the analog world. It’s a good thing.
David:
This will sound trite – but I am thankful for my job, family, health and home. While times are tough, we are way better off that most people. Instead of focusing on what is happening to us we can reach out and help others.
TO’B
My job, my family and my health. I am very thankful for my many friends who make me laugh!!!
I’m thankful for an ever-more connected world – one which draws people together to create change for the good of all. So I am thankful for humans and their capacity to connect, understand each other, share and care – from my family to the friends I don’t yet know I need to know
I am most thankful for the sacrifice Jesus made so that I can have true hope and victory over every circumstance that comes in my life – not just in the life to come, but right in the here and now. I know He is with me and I am never forgotten.
I am also thankful for what God has blessed me with – things that money and popularity cannot buy – like a family that loves and supports me.
I’m very thankful to have my job. My husband, a former human resources professional, has been laid off for 22 months now. He is back in school to change careers. We intimately understand what it means to be thankful for what you have. Honestly, every time the furnace kicks on, the water runs and the light switch works, I thank God that our basic needs are covered.
I was thankful for my job up until last week….when I was laid-off. (market really bad here in FL)
That aside, although it sounds trite: I am so thankful for my health, the support and love of my family and good friends and the wonderful life I have been given so far. I am especially thankful for my dad who even though he is suffering from Alzheimer’s now, has always been able to make me laugh and put things into perspective in this crazy world we live in
Chris, sorry to hear about you losing your job. What do you do?
I am thankful for my family, my home, my job and the ability to try new things.Mainly though, I’d have to say that I wake up every morning so grateful to have married such a wonderful woman and so blessed to have such an amazing daughter… They make me so happy.
David,
This year has been a remarkable one in so many ways, and my blessings have been far beyond what I deserve. Personally, each day I am thankful for my daughter and my family – those that have demonstrated to me the truest definitions of selfless and unconditional love.
I’m profoundly grateful, too, for simple connections with people over simple things: books, music, shared philosophies and life experiences. The digital world that sucks up so much of my life would be shallow indeed without the amazing capacity of people to reach out across vast distance and connect.
In thankless times, the power of humanity is what gives me hope that there is always something worth struggling for.
Cheers to you and yours this season, David.
Amber
I’m thankful for second chances. I’ve already gone through 9 lives and yet there are still opportunities ahead to grow & learn, try to do things a little better than before.
I’m also grateful that strangers in online social networks are willing to give and share of themselves and are genuinely interested in others. In my experience, it’s unusual for people in the postcollege years to be so open to creating new friendships.
And I’m thankful to offline friends & family who always have my back. It doesn’t seem to matter how much time has passed, we just pick up where we left off. I don’t tell them often enough how much they enrich my life.
Finally, I’m thankful that even out of work, I have ways that I can contribute, give of myself. That gives me a sense of purpose & worth that is invaluable for getting through tough times.
Good question, David, and a better reminder. Like everyone else who has already commented, if find myself thankful for the truly important experiences: the love of my wife, the little things my kids do that remind me they are the center of my universe, and the health of my family and myself.
I’m certainly thankful to have a job and a solid career, but I know that can be fleeting. I’m choosing to approach this rough economy and the unique challenges we face by being opportunistic. New challenges means new opportunities.
Hope you have a great holiday, David.
I am thankful new life has been breathed into the concept of Hope, and that so many of us want to help realize change for the good of all. We are lifted up.
I am thankful that my son chose not to throw himself off a tower last spring and that he is setting aside his nihilistic despair –for now anyway– and giving therapy a try. Keep him –and all other lost young souls– in your prayers.
I am thankful for the opportunities surrounding me to daily get out of my own shit and help someone else in need. The reward is priceless.
I am thankful that today I know love, and that I’d rather give it away than strangle it to death in a choke hold of fear.
I am thankful for the belief that I am exactly where I am supposed to be at this moment, and what’s immediately in front of me, begging for attention, is what I’m supposed to be doing.
I am thankful for this moment. Thank you.
David, what matters to me is being able to make a difference in people’s lives (which presumes one’s own health) – my family, my kids, my colleagues, the communities in which we live and with whom we interact.
Post-IKE (here in Houston), I no longer take for granted running water, available electricity, or a solid roof over my head.
And while politically I may not agree with the current wars we’re in, I’m so TRULY thankful for the men & women who risk their own lives — every day — on behalf of all the rest of us.
And for all the bad things this year 2008 has brought to many, I’m really thankful that through social media technology, my global gaggle of friends has expanded to every corner of the earth. Quality people, many of whom are genuinely caring people also believing they, too, can make a difference.
They used to say “The sun never sets on the British Empire”; then they said the same about global companies like GE and IBM. Well today, I — just one person — can say that about my 1-person network. “The sun never sets on my network of influencers, people making a difference all around the world.”
All the best to you and yours! Happy & safe Holidays!
I’m thankful for the freedom to live authentically doing what I love with people I believe in. I’m thankful for breath, the majestic mountains here in the greater Seattle area, for my daughters indie rock ,first completed quarter of college smile across the table from me and I’m thankful for the hope, faith and possibility that burns in me every morning my feet hit the ground.
Grateful. I am.
Family, friends, good health, good food, time spent learning, laughing, or both.
There’s a reason things like these become cliches — it’s because they’re the things that really do last, beyond the temporary concerns of how much we have in the bank, how many Twitter followers we have, et cetera.
Good post! We can all stand to be reminded and re-reminded to give ourselves better perspective on our problems.
Scott,
You said
“I am thankful that my son chose not to throw himself off a tower last spring and that he is setting aside his nihilistic despair –for now anyway– and giving therapy a try. Keep him –and all other lost young souls– in your prayers.”
It’s thoughts like this that remind me of the harsh realities of life and quiet struggles that we all go through which people may never know of. Thank you for sharing this so openly and for reminding us that many of our young people need our help in this world.
For my health. I have survived cancer twice and every day is a blessing to spend with my family and friends
I am thankful for my girlfriend Briana, she is pretty much my anchor and unconditionally loves and supports me (which when it sit back and think about, totally blows my mind).
That the lump in my girlfriend’s breast was benign.
And that this time in two months we’ll be sitting on a beach in Goa!
I am thankful for the power of believing in myself. It allows me the freedom to believe in and encourage others to achieve because I have no doubt that I can achieve anything I put my mind to. Once you love and believe in yourself, you have so much to give to others!
I am thankful for the silent moments of clarity in between the everything in my life. In these times of chaos and busyness it is tempting to get wrapped up in it all. My quiet time is a luxury and I am truly thankful for when I can just be quiet.
I am thankful to have a family that loves me and appreciates the love I give them. I am thankful that I can support them through a job with a great company. I am thankful to be connected to more great people every day through social media.
Ted,
Nice to see a mention of being connected. This week I’ve kind of been down given the news of the Justin.TV related suicide and found out last night that watchers were cheering the boy on. Maybe they thought it was all a joke, but it reminded me of how we can use technology badly. But comments like yours remind us of the other side too. Thanks.
It’s always good to take a minute and think of what we’re thankful for. I’m thankful for my kids – they make me laugh daily and offer perspective on the world I would miss. Of course my husband and family! I’m thankful to still be going to a place with smart people each and every day – even on the days when it’s tough or we challenge each other. I’m thankful for clients! And I’m thankful for opportunities like this to connect with others in a powerful, direct and very HUMAN way. Great post. Thank YOU!
This year I am more thankful for technology than ever. And not for the reasons you might initially think.
I just found out that my brother is being deployed to Iraq for a year. A year away from his wife, children and family. Without technologies like a blog, Flip cameras, Skype, webcams/ooVoo, etc. we might not hear his voice or see his face as often. And these technologies will allow him to see his children as they grow and learn during the year he is away…daily, weekely, monthly. There really are no limitations.
I am the only one in our family that knows these tools and how they work, so it’s a chance for me to give back to my family (after spending so much time away from them because of these same tools).
Needless to same, I am very thankful for my family and friends for their never-ending support.
David, wishing you and your family the happiest of Thanksgivings! As well, I am grateful that technology has allowed us to meet!
I am thankful for a loving family, great friends, healthy children, troops whom sacrifice for our freedom, work colleagues whom are all friends and a United States that decided for Hope for the future.
Here’s wishing those less fortunate or away from their friends or families or otherwise lonely a Happy Thanksgiving. If you fit into this category and happen to be in San Francisco and want to be around company on Thanksgiving, DM me @mwalsh – we’ll find a seat for you.
Mike,
That’s a very generous offer and encouraging to see someone willing to open up their home. Thanks for that example.
Beth, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts here. Technology is a great enabler. We do the rest.
I’m thankful for the time that I get to appreciate people, to appreciate life, to try, to fail, to succeed, to live and to learn, to talk and to listen. I’m greatful for the Now. It’s great to be here.
I drive by a mission every day into my office and see the homeless people in such despair. It’s a reminder to me that everyday I’m grateful for my family and health and friends. Every single day.
A good friend has ovarian cancer. 43yrs. Last Monday the doctors said it was a matter of hours. They were wrong. Although she is still in hospital … we are all thankful for every extra hour.
I’m thankful we finally uncovered the greed and corruption that caused the financial collapse. We have 2 young children, my wife and I both work, and she was laid off a month after being hired in a promising executive-level position. I will be even more thankful if we begin to see fewer self-serving politicians and more who actually do their jobs while truly listening to those who elected them. Maybe social media can help with that. Don’t mean to be a Grinch, just sayin’ what needs to be said.
I’m thankful for the amazing people I get to associate myself in any number of different ways. I’m grateful for the ability to have a phone or a connection that allows me to hear voices of people I love and care for–easily. I’m grateful for the family that made me, the family I’ve made, and the connected-family that I’ve found.
I’m thankful to have lunches with friends and colleagues that can be silly, can be plots to change the world (or even just to change the local scenery), or can just be sharing a space over a sandwich.
And I’m thankful for the Oscar to my Felix.
David,
I have so many things to be thankful for, but above all, its the people in my life. My wonderful wife who has defined “love” for me for the the last thirty years, my daughter who’s passion for artistic exploration and failure to see limitations inspires me every day, my father who at 79 is in good health and socially active (hope I have his genes) and my ever expanding circle of friends. With so many people living lives of loneliness and despair, I feel truly blessed that I get to experience a connection with literally thousands of wonderfully diverse people every day. The crossing of our paths has enriched my life more than I could ever ask for.
I’m thankful for each day that I wake up and realize I was born in Canada and live in what is one of the wealthiest nations in the world. I’ve been homeless, strung-out and broke in my lifetime and not having money doesn’t compare to the harsh realities that billions of people go through each day… Hunger, War, Poverty Etc…
I’ve witnessed the brutality of life during my world travels. We are the lucky ones, even if we loose our 100K jobs and all the glitz and glamour that goes with it. We are still lucky and fortunate beyond the dreams of billions in this world.
That’s what I’m thankful for. So if I lose my job, my home, my car, it really doesn’t bother me. I’ve been there before and it still is far better of a life than billions of people are living in the world right now… Be thankful for what you have and not what you lost.
Brendan
I’m thankful for good friends who never let me down, a great wife and a terrifc daughter who always bring me up, loyal employees and clients who appreciate what we do for them and a healthy mind, body and spirit to enjoy every minute of it all.
Peace.
As you put it, David, this “opportunity to reflect,” is indeed a gift. I’m grateful my family hasn’t been uprooted by hurricanes or factory closings. For me, the “opportunity” is primarily born of the empowerment offered by technology and the positive attitudes of our evolving digital culture. Despite what appear to be thankless times, I sense many seeds of hope and optimism coming up fast. For that encouragement, I am also quite grateful.
Tim
For the freedom we enjoy here and love of others. We’re very blessed to be have such a conversation, while the majority of the world wonders what they will eat tonight or tomorrow. All, enjoy what we have, what we hope for and dial down to spread love and care, there’s so little of that these day!
And thanks David to allows all of us to join the conversation.
Learn to count your blessings. You’ll realize that you’re still lucky despite these hard times.
I am thankful, for The akshayapatra Foundation who gave me an oppurtunity to work under this esteem organisation
About Akshaya Patra Foundation (unlimited food for education)
The Akshayapatra Foundation started feeding children in June 2000. What started as a pilot project in five schools in Bangalore, India for 1,500 children, has now grown into a mammoth endeavor reaching out to 9, 45,479 children in over 5000 schools in 15 locations across six states in India.