Count down to Thanksgiving

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches I, like many other Americans, will think of all that I am thankful for. I'll think of days past and the memories that help me through. I'll look to the future and wonder, what will the days ahead bring.


It is during this time of the year that many of us think about how blessed we are and how we can take the time to make the world around us a better place. We give back a little of what has been given to us.


I have so many HUGE dreams of making a difference. Sometimes I feel as if I'll never get there, but I know I have to keep plugging away, one day at a time. My goal is that Spreading Joy Corporation will have an impact on millions of lives. I want to have individual divisions for each of the areas that I have a vision for. I want to add new divisions, such as an area for children in the Hospital. I'd love to be able to go into hospitals and visit the children and leave them a brand new Curious George book - but where do I get 100 copies at a next to nothing price?


I don't want this post to be about what I need, although I truly do need to set some solid goals for next year. I want to talk about the things that I'm thankful for, the things that you may not even realize that you are thankful for as well.

• I'm thankful for the opportunity to make a difference this year with SJC. Given the time that I filed for my tax exempt status, I never expected to be approved this year. I was surprised when I received my notification and knew that I wanted to do something within this year. Will we make my goal of 2000 toys? I don't know, but I'm so grateful for the chance to try!

• I'm thankful for the people that pushed me to organize SJC. As I talked about a dream of making a difference and starting a Non Profit Organization, several people kept after me to keep going. Even after I had tucked my SJC folder away in the back of my desk for "later" - they kept bringing it up. Thank you!

• I'm thankful for the difficult times this year. I know I have so much to learn, but this year has allowed me to be able to get a look at what I'll need to do for next year. I'll know that it isn't easy getting people to say "yes, you can put a wrapped box in our organization..." or "yes, we'll send you 100 Barbie dolls." I'll have a chance to get more organized, to get posters printed for next year's Christmas Joy and will have some experience to draw from. I have to keep learning from the hard times, keep growing through the difficulties.

• I'm thankful for the people I've met along the way. Just in the past few months, I've met some incredible people. Some - only through the Internet, others in person. I'm always amazed at how these great people make me a better person. There is so much good out there but sometimes the negative seems to cover it up. As I gain more contacts, make more friends and meet people while looking for partners and other opportunities, I know their knowledge and great habits will rub off on me and help me grow.

• I'm thankful for being pushed out of my comfort zone. I like talking, (long blogs an indicator???) probably more than most people. Next year, as I look for financial partners, I will be doing presentations and getting into social networks more and more. This is a whole new level of talking for me. I've done presentations before, but never ones that had so much riding on them. If I do not present my vision and my passion effectively, then I will not have financial support. If I do not get my business plan up to snuff (and trust me, it needs lots of work) then how many men, women, children and elderly will it affect? Oh, No pressure - none at all. This is going to be a new world to explore for me. I know it will help me and allow me to meet even more great people who have a desire of Spreading Joy on a daily basis.

So, how about it? I know you are thankful for your family, home, job, friends and Krispy Kreme doughnuts - but what else are you thankful for? Have you been forced to step out of your comfort zone this year? How did that help you? Have you had difficulties that were horrible while you were in it? Think of how great it is now that you are through them. (If you aren't on the other side of difficulties yet...be patient, you'll get there.) Have you met people that have influenced you this year? Have you told them thank you? Have you taken the opportunities that have come your way? What are you thankful for?