Fall is my favorite season of the year. Sure it’s when football begins and the new network television shows premiere, but for me it’s the perfect time to reflect on what I’ve been doing, where I’d like things to go and why I should be thankful. Typically, right after Labor Day, I take time to ask introspective questions to myself such as have I maximized my opportunities and made good on the promises I vowed? Have I taken care of the individuals that rely on me like family, friends, colleagues and clients? Were the words on my lips spoken with truth and kindness?
This is an insightful process to go through that can be challenging at times and the answers you arrive at are sometimes surprising. However, I do believe it’s a great way to get situated to end the year on a positive note.
The fall is also home to my favorite holiday of the year, Thanksgiving. And as it approaches I am once again reminded to share my gift of gratitude. Although I do try, in small ways, to carry this ideal with me every day, the fall season encourages me to do so on a much grander scale. Be bold. Be daring.
Throughout my industry career, I have had the privilege of watching kind souls in action. Whether on an association volunteer level or serving meals to the homeless, these actions inspire and delight me. I’m a firm believer that each one of us can make a difference no matter how small it may seem to us.
The following thoughts listed below are ones that I’ve gathered over the course of my life’s journey. These are concepts I try to incorporate into my life every day. In fact, I have learned over the years that I need to carve out space and time to consider how I feel about gratitude, humility and drive. I view these ideals as my mantra and my internal voice. Often this voice is silent, set aside. Today I dust the shelf, take a deep and long look, and share this message of gratitude I’ve come to live by.
• Be present. Give the gift of yourself from within. Listen and really hear when in conversation. Take care not to be preparing your next thought and refrain from checking email while on the phone or out dining with others.
• Do something for yourself. Give a gift to you for simply being you. Treat yourself to time alone to read a book, write in a journal, meditate, take a walk. Enrich and nourish.
• Smile even when you feel like crap. Give a gift and make someone’s day. The gesture of a smile is pure and contagious.
• Breathe before words of anger. Give yourself the gift of time to cool down and consider the words you choose. Angry words spoken or sent online cannot be unsaid.
• Don’t be perfect. Give the gift of acceptance. Allow for mistakes and mishaps as learning experiences not only for one’s self but others.
• Demand and give respect. Give the gift of your actions with the hope of elevating yourself and those around you.
• Set high aspirations. However, give the gift of flexibility and be humble in the face of success or failure.
This fall, I hope you’ll make a genuine effort to reflect on what’s transpired over the year and contemplate your future. To do this you need to let your guard down and be real. Ask yourself really tough questions and be brutally honest with the answers. If you’re not sure how to answer a question, reach out to your industry friends and colleagues and see what they think.
And as Thanksgiving approaches, try to determine what types of gifts you can give to yourself and others. Add to my list of seven for sure. And re-gifting is definitely the way to go when it comes to gratitude. If only we could put gratitude in a bottle and share it with everybody who has made a difference in our lives it would be truly awesome.
Those of you who know me well know that I love quotes. I can get lost in a book of quotes for hours, and often use quotes I discover in books in my articles and presentations. So here is a good one from Anne Frank to end this column. “You can always give something, even if it is only kindness.”
Hope you have a truly awe-inspiring fall!
Roni S. Wright, MAS, vice president of supplier The Book Company, is a 30-year veteran of the promotional products industry. In her volunteer and leadership roles, Roni has served on the boards of PPAI, PPEF, the Regional Association Council (RAC), PPAF and YESAA. Roni shares her busy industry life with husband, Chris, and daughter, Devon. They inspire and encourage her to “be all that she can be.” Over the past few years Roni has found a love of yoga. She’s achieved her 200-hour certification and has journeyed to India to study at the renowned K. Pattabhi Jois Institute. Contact Roni at roni@thebookco.com.