As I sit back and reflect on this past year, I can't seem to shake an overwhelming and pervasive sense of gratitude. And, indeed, I shouldn't try. It's not surprising that, since the smells and tastes of Thanksgiving are still fresh and now the holiday season is getting into full gear, gratitude is on the mind.
This year has been very challenging, to put it mildly, and when you think of the number of people who are in need of assistance with food and utilities, or who have lost their homes, we can be especially grateful for the basic necessities we have - a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs and food in our bellies. We are also grateful for those who are willing and able to answer the call to give back to those in need. When you think about the number of people who have lost their jobs, their benefits or who have had to close their business doors, we can be grateful to still be in business after some really tough times and grateful for the entrepreneurial spirit that is often born out of times like these.
When we think about what's beyond the front door of our business, we can be grateful to know that there is a community of other business people like us, and that we are not alone during times when isolation can try to rob us of our spirit. Whenever I attend a monthly luncheon, I'm always inspired by the quality and diversity of business people who attend, and I always know that I can reach out when I have a need that someone else can fill.
Through The Link - this monthly newsletter and the annual directory - the small communities of Brookside, Southtown and Waldo have become larger and stronger by working together on common projects, programs and events. Yes, we can truly be grateful to be part of a community that hosts art fairs, parades, festivals, sidewalk sales, business exchanges, pub crawls, luncheons, networkings, workshops, etc. I can't think of another place in the metropolitan area that offers all of these things, and I cannot think of another place I'd rather be, and for all of this, we can indeed be truly grateful!
Becky Beck, American Family Insurance