Thank you for refusing to give up

Thanksgiving is a tricky holiday.

When I was younger, it was my favorite. The lack of pomp and circumstance and simplicity of gathering with family to appreciate a good meal and all the blessings in our lives enriched the moment. Usually, we'd have snow (not anymore) and the cousins would go out for hours to sled, build snowmen, and have snowball fights until we came back in rosy-cheeked with the exhausted exhilaration of winter play.

Learning about the true history of the thanksgiving holiday and the brutality to indigenous and native populations that preceded and followed the peaceful portrayal of a shared, collaborative meal adds a different dimension. Knowing that the settlers likely would not have survived had it not been for the assistance and generosity of indigenous tribes, only to decimate the very same groups is abhorrent.

Reconciling genuine awareness, recognition, and traditions is not easy.

And that's okay. Forward progress follows hard work, effort, and perseverance, and these are gifts in part because of the discomfort and challenge that precede the outcomes.

In a media environment that over-promotes the "quick fix" with all manner of glamour, glitz, and instant gratification, anything that involves time and effort is too often dismissed.

Gratitude for the many people, including you, who are willing to tolerate the discomfort, the pain, and the awkwardness to create a more compassionate, just world is a central piece of my thankfulness.

I'm also thankful that so many are still eager and capable of learning, that people of all backgrounds continue to teach their wisdom, and that so many amazing leaders demonstrated and sacrificed to pave the way for more successes in progress, compassion, and justice throughout history.

I'm thankful for each person who refuses to give up, give in, or remain silent.

I'm thankful for you.

Would you share something you're thankful for today? I'd love to hear from you about what pops into your head when you reflect on current gratitudes.

You matter. You can make a difference. I'm so thankful you're here.