What I Am NOT Thankful For

Dear Young Professional,

Don’t get me wrong, I love the holidays. In fact, Thanksgiving is my favorite as I hold special memories of Thanksgiving dinners my mom made.

What I am not thankful for is that holiday Christmas music started on some of my favorite radio stations more than 2 weeks ago. In addition, Black Friday starts during the dinner hour at 6PM in some places Thursday night.

Why so we must start so early? Isn’t that what online shopping is for?

This holiday is about connecting, giving back and giving thanks. It’s a time to be present with loved ones and maybe loved ones we may not love that much.

We do it because being connected is important to our well-being. We are social animals, and is too much to ask that one day out of the year we focus on ourselves and one another? Tell stories, reminisce and laugh. Oh yes, hearty belly laughs are so good for you! #keepingitreal

I am thankful for so much, but here’s a few things (in no particular order) on my list this year:

• My new puppy and the fact my hubby loves training her

• The fact I can still screw up and learn from my mistakes

• There’s a lot to learn from bumpy roads

• My family; all of you here in the US and across the pond

• Especially grateful my niece is home from college for Turkey Day YAY!

• A workplace that is full of GOOD people, no really GREAT people

• Friends who love me so much they keep me real

• To my community of young professionals for the joy and hope you give me everyday

If you like the Christmas music early and risking your life to cram through a door to get $$ off a hot item, humor your aunt and take a few moments to list what you are thankful for…we all have something. Then go fight the crowds.

Fondly, Aunt Kris