Gratitude. It’s What’s For Dinner.

While it’s important to show gratitude every day of the year, it seems fitting that the month of November is devoted to giving thanks.

I don’t think it’s just because of Thanksgiving, either. There’s something about this month in particular — the increasing darkness, the grayer days, the quiet. It’s a time for reflection, a time to pause, and a time to look around and say, “Thank you.”

Which brings me to this blog post (and also the subject of my November newsletter): The Gratitude Edition. I’d like to personally thank you for reading this blog. I’d like to thank my clients (many of whom are devoted readers) for trusting me with their passions, dreams, and desires. I’d like to thank my colleagues for providing encouragement, support, and sympathetic ears during rough moments. And last, but not least, I’d like to call out three organizations that are important to me. They do great work every day of the year, and I applaud them for it.

Heifer’s approach is to help people obtain a sustainable source of food and income. According to its website, “Heifer helps empower millions of families to lift them out of poverty and hunger to self-reliance through gifts of livestock, seeds and trees and extensive training, which provide a multiplying source of food and income.” Give a sheep, a llama, chickens, bees — the gift catalog is extensive and will likely fit most budgets. One Christmas about five or six years ago, I gave gifts in the names of my (then) 12 nieces and nephews. This organization has helped more than 12 million families in more than 125 countries since 1944.

Did you know that it takes only $250 to surgically fix a cleft lip/palate, which gives a kid a chance at a normal life? And did you know that over 4 million kids in developing countries are afflicted by clefts, and most are too poor to afford the surgery on their own? Enter Smile Train, which was founded in 1999. According to its websites, Smile Train is “an international charity that provides cleft lip and cleft palate surgery to children in need, as well as providing cleft-related training to doctors. If you’re not familiar with Smile Train, check out the site. The organization is also featured in the Oscar-winning documentary short Smile Pinki.


The holiday season can be a tough time of year for many people. Luckily, the Samaritans is an organization that’s available year round. According to its website, “Samaritans’ purpose is to alleviate despair, isolation, distress and suicidal feelings among individuals in our community, 24 hours a day; to educate the public about suicide prevention; and to reduce the stigma associated with suicide. We accomplish this through services that emphasize confidential, nonjudgmental, and compassionate listening.” Sometimes all it takes is a compassionate ear. If you or someone you know needs that, keep this worthy organization in mind.

I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving and holiday season.

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