Challenging You to Reflect on Your Year -
A Thankful Project

by Elaine Morris

Fall is my favorite time of year. Walking through my neighborhood yesterday in the late afternoon I was surprised to feel a cold breeze come up suddenly – the temperature had hit 80 earlier in the day. The trees must have known it was coming; they were already turning shades of yellow and red. As I stepped over some muddy spots in the street, multi-colored leaves flew by, barely touching the ground. I thanked God for what I consider the best idea He ever had – Seasons! They surprise us with fresh beauty each time and a deep sense of renewal – or as my friend Nancy put it, “newel.” A recent widow, faced with the task of reinventing her life, I think it’s only right to give her poetic license. “I don’t want renewal, I want newel.” And so it is, especially during this season, regardless of your stage of life, there is a pull to reflect on the past year and to think about what’s next.

We have all heard the many instructions on giving thanks – we even have a holiday devoted to the concept. All religions and philosophies teach it. It’s good for the soul. My friends Dennis and Jill McDaniel, through their Austin Fairchild Foundation, commission an artist each year to create art that exemplifies the universal qualities of Gratitude and Thanksgiving. Then they send out cards and posters to all their friends and clients with fabulous quotations such as these:

“There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.”
- Ralph H. Blum

“The thankful heart…will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.”
- Henry Ward Beecher

“Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don’t unravel.”
- Anonymous

“The essence of all beautiful art…is gratitude.”
-Nietzsche

How often do we stop, slow down and really look at what has happened to our lives over the course of the year?

I will never forget doing a Northern California mountain top ropes course and confronting my fear of heights. My so called “teammates” refused to allow me to back out of that nasty zip line experience; even though I told them I no longer wanted any part of this stupid game. With no choice but to jump off, I clutched the bar handle over my head, my stomach dropped, tremors ran through my body and then zap! I am cruising through the air over the most beautiful valleys I have ever seen. This must be what it’s like for birds every day. It was over way too soon.

As I landed with a big thump, a strong young man caught me. As I stood there, my body sunk into a puddle of shaking shock waves. I started to stumble away, but my guide quickly grabbed my arm, and said, “Stop, turn around and take a look at what you’ve done!” I did, and was amazed…I did something that I thought would scare me to death. I overcame my fear and discovered strength that I didn’t know I had. I also learned an important lesson about the power of teamwork. I would not have had that lifelong memory without the ruthless compassion of my teammates. I never would have even looked back and appreciated what I had just accomplished without that strong arm grabbing me. I drew on that experience when I faced harder times. I learned the power of leaning on others and asking for help.

So take a ½ hour in the quiet moments of the early morning one day soon and do this journaling process. Stop, turn around and take a look at what you’ve done and what others have done for you. Share this with a friend as a way of saying thank you for the many ways they have contributed to you!

“Be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances…”
-1 Thessalonians 5:18“

About the Author: Elaine Siciliano Morris is principal consultant and founder of Sea Change Inc, an organizational effectiveness firm based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. A frequent keynote speaker and workshop presenter on leadership, corporate culture and personal growth, Elaine works with leaders and their teams to create productive and rewarding work environments. More information about her is available on her website: www.seachangecoach.com, or contact Elaine by phone at 972-407-0648.