“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” –John F. Kennedy
The past 18+ months have been unprecedented. Faced with a pandemic of epic proportions, we have learned to live, work and socialize differently. Adapt, adjust and overcome have become a part of our everyday mantra, along with flexibility and resiliency. And, never before has the all too familiar phrase ‘think outside the box’ had greater purpose and meaning than during the past 18 months.
Typically during the month of November we look forward to what is undeniably our country’s most popular annual holiday—Thanksgiving. We plan, bake, cook, travel and gather with family and friends. We share good food, good times and maybe a good football game or two. This is a time we set aside to count our blessings and give thanks for what we have.
“Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day.”—Robert Caspar Lintner
The storied history of Thanksgiving began in 1621, when the Plymouth colonists invited the Wampanoag Native Americans to join hands and hearts and give thanks for the autumn harvest. For more than two centuries, days of Thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states.
In 1789 George Washington introduced the event as a national holiday. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held on the final Thursday in November. This short history lesson gives us pause to reflect upon that for which we are thankful.
Though some of us may have encountered loss or financial hardship, we have also gained wisdom from our experiences during the past two years. We have learned that much can be accomplished when we all come together (even virtually) for a common goal. Innovation and imagination have flourished in order to meet objectives and survive uncertain times.
The hard work and dedication of our Marketing Direction team is something I am especially grateful for as they have enabled our company to thrive amid challenging conditions. Additionally, I am thankful to work with a great group of clients who believe in the value marketing and public relations can bring to their businesses. Thanks to all of you, this year Marketing Direction was named among the Top 10 of USF’s Fast 56 which honors the world’s top 56 fastest growing businesses led by a University of South Florida alum.
“You can’t be grateful and fearful simultaneously.”—Tony Robbins
Gratitude, according to Tony Robbins, is the antidote to the things that mess us up. “Gratitude is the solution to both anger and fear, and instead of just acting grateful, I think of specific situations that I’m grateful for, little ones and big ones,” says Tony. “I do it every single day, and I step into those moments and I feel the gratitude and the aliveness.”
Whatever version of Thanksgiving celebrations you choose this year—indoor, outdoor, or virtual— take a moment to ponder the things you are grateful for every day. Reconnect with old friends, neighbors and family as an important reminder of how supporting one another makes you stronger together. Perhaps even bring together colleagues and team members for a special gathering with no meeting agenda.
As professional marketers, we welcome the opportunity to ‘think outside the box’ to help our clients prosper. At home however, we—like many of you—long for the comfort of Thanksgiving traditions at home. Tables that are filled with old family recipes, familiar faces, laughter and tears of joy. A place where stories of years past are encouraged while new traditions are also set forth. We realize that one of the most creative things we can do is to create a space where we can gather and delight in the experience of connection.
All of us at Marketing Direction are especially blessed to have clients like you—not just on Thanksgiving, but every day. We appreciate the trust and confidence you have placed in us and are truly grateful for your support which has helped make our continued progress possible. We hope your blessings are also many, both this Thanksgiving and in the coming year.
