On the train ride back from a recent trip to New York City, I felt a mix of emotions—energized by the possibilities ahead but also contemplative of what I could have done better during my time there. As I sat there, the overwhelming feeling was gratitude.
In the train station bathroom earlier that day, I noticed two women. One went straight to the sink, tossing trash and freshening up her face. The other, a young woman with a boot on her leg, an oxygen tank, and a cane, stood quietly nearby. It struck me that they were likely homeless, using the station for the small comfort of a clean space to wash.
That moment stayed with me. It was a stark reminder of the things I often take for granted. Earlier that day, while enjoying a mimosa at breakfast, I was transported back to my mornings in Montego Bay, where my husband and I vacation every year (just 68 days until I return!). The taste of the morning cocktail sparked something in me, a renewed sense of gratitude for both the opportunities I’ve had and the ones still ahead.
This month and last have been packed. It’s been a whirlwind few weeks, full of incredible opportunities and challenges. A trip to Utah in mid-October to visit our client at BYUtv. A team meet-up in Harrisburg with folks flying and driving in from all over. And now, a short but impactful trip to New York City for a VIP dinner with David Meltzer. Amid all this, we continue to manage a business that’s navigating significant changes, both internally and with our clients.
It’s exhausting.
But it’s also a gift.
Opportunities like those I described don’t come around every day. And when they do, they don’t wait. I’m learning to embrace them and enjoy them to their fullest while they’re here.
At the dinner in NYC, David Meltzer spoke about the relationship between giving and receiving. He asked the audience who enjoys giving, and nearly every hand shot up. Then he asked who enjoys receiving. Only a few hands rose. He explained that learning to receive is just as important as giving.
It’s a simple but profound concept: we can’t continue to give if we never allow ourselves to receive. It’s like the advice we often hear about self-care—you can’t pour from an empty cup. David highlighted those who give tirelessly but rarely receive—single mothers, veterans, first responders—and reminded us of our responsibility to give back to them while also allowing abundance into our own lives.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m carrying this lesson with me. Gratitude isn’t just about recognizing what we have; it’s about being open to both giving and receiving so we can continue to share with others.
This holiday season, let’s reflect on how we can give meaningfully and receive graciously. It’s in this balance that abundance thrives, and the cycle of gratitude continues.
