Hope and Gratitude

Good afternoon. I hope everyone is doing well. As we enter a particularly difficult time, let us remember that Hope and Gratitude are two important items to keep close. We are all hoping that the pandemic is going to be over soon, but we should be grateful if we remain healthy and we have managed to avoid the virus. We should also be grateful that our loved ones may also be safe. To those who have lost loved ones, prayers and peace to you. This holiday season is unlike any we may have known in past years. We miss loved ones, we are tired of staying home, we are just tired, period!!!

Let us take a few moments to remember; what multitude of things can we find to be grateful for? Have we overcome a serious challenge? Have we lost some weight this year? Have we had the honor and the pleasure to become self-employed? Have we maintained our health and well-being? Do we have food, shelter, clothing? While these may seem to be small things, remember that right now many more people are suffering than ever before. Many who never saw an event like this coming and now who struggle to feed families or pay bills need help.

Let us do all that we can to pull each other through. Let us restore hope to those who are slowly giving up on getting by. Let us remain strong and resilient and show compassion. Remember, one day, we may need help ourselves and when we do, we can only HOPE that others will come to help us through as we may have helped another through. As we start to close out another year, let us take an inventory of what we have, where we want to go in the coming year, and how we can be more compassionate and empathetic.

This will be a short message today, but one that needs to be given. I am grateful for my children and grand children, my fiance, my health. I am grateful I can still use a small gym and while I have to wear a mask, this is to respect myself and others. I am grateful to be in a unique position to start helping others with their own personal struggles. I am grateful for my education and the fact that I have had the opportunity to expand my mind. Stay healthy, stay hydrated, and stay focused. We are going to make 2021 the best year yet!!!!!