Sharing with you a letter to our company....
Dear Friends & Colleagues:
On this Thanksgiving Eve, you are all very much in my thoughts, as is the opportunity to reflect on the powerful and joyful concept of gratitude.
During these times of change and uncertainty, it is often easy to forget about gratitude. We get lost in the challenges and, occasionally on the frustrations, of the every day. You know the ones – they happen at work and they happen at home. We get overwhelmed and concerned about the uncertainty of politics. We get distracted and upset by the fact that our work, our lives, and the world isn’t more the way we wish it to be. The more frustrated , annoyed or whatever it is that we feel, instead of gratitude, the more we zoom in on those things that concern us, and as a result, we feel the heavy burden of life.
I find that zooming out my focus from today helps me reset my context and reconnect with gratitude. And, I hope you will take a deep breath and try it with me today.
As I zoom out of today, I see more clearly. I see how much progress we have made as a company in the past years. I see how much I have learned and grown. I see how different we are, and I see the opportunity that lays ahead.
As I zoom out of today, I think of politics differently. As our country awaits for the President-elect to take office, with our country “divided”, I am reminded that 8 years ago the country welcomed President Obama, with so many frustrated by President Bush’s time. I realize that country’s and all organizations are like pendulums, swinging in opposite directions to find their balance. I am encouraged by the awareness that this election has created in our society about our differences, and by the new found passion with which so many debate the issues of the country they want to build and the values they want to espouse. I see that throughout history ideological disagreements have been a normal part of our evolution, and I am grateful that our disagreements today are by all comparisons peaceful and civil. I am reminded that just 100 years ago, neither women nor African Americans could vote, and a hundred years before that only land owners could vote. And, I realize and deeply appreciate that we have never lived in a time of greater peace and equality. .
As I zoom out of today, I become aware that we have never lived with a greater quality of life or in a more plentiful time. We have the great fortune of having everything we need simply a click away. We can savor the foods of all seasons, geographies and cultures, at any time of year, and if we so choose, from the comfort of our homes. Unlike years gone by, we have the ability to communicate with those we love almost instantaneously – and essentially for free. Unlike times in the past, we have access to medicines and medical knowledge that is so very advanced and effective, and for most causes pain-free.
As I zoom out of today, I am grateful for our boundless and virtually immediate access to knowledge. We have greater access to see all parts of the world, even without leaving our home. My son as a small child used to travel the world on google, and place himself on small streets in Italian villages and go for a stroll. I appreciate and am full of wonder by the pace of technology and how it continually makes the world more accessible, safer, and interesting. And, I am grateful that we get to live on average 30 years longer than we did just 100 years ago.
As I zoom out of today, I realize that we have never known a time of greater freedom. We have the freedom to work in whatever line of work we choose to do. We have the freedom to dream, and the ability to make those dreams come true.
As I zoom out of today, I see my life and my blessings so much more clearly and in context. It becomes virtually impossible to feel annoyed or frustrated, and the thought of any “burden” becomes selfish and ungrateful.
And, then, I zoom in.
I zoom in to our country, and I am grateful. For all of its faults, the U.S. remains the greatest country the world has ever known, built on the purest and most powerful values that we get to enjoy and must always fight to uphold.
I zoom in to this time and I am grateful - for this time that we live in is so very comfortable, exciting and plentiful.
I zoom in to our company, and I am grateful - for the amazing opportunity that it represents for all of us, and the countless wonderful and dedicated people that bring it to life every day.
I zoom in and I am grateful – for the comfort and warmth of my home and the love and health of my friends and family.
I zoom in to tomorrow, and I am beyond grateful for one more opportunity to focus on gratitude, and on behalf of all of the leadership at EMG, say to everyone that we love, respect and have the pleasure of working with…
THANK YOU! And, may you and yours have a safe and most joyful Thanksgiving!
and of course
in joyful harmony,
Nestor