Gratitude
It’s November, which means Thanksgiving, which means we all dig deep down into our inner self to pull out some response to the obligatory “what are you thankful for this year?” that graced dinner tables across America. But I want to take a moment to dig deep and divulge to you, my audience, things that I am truly grateful for that didn’t make it to the dinner conversation this year.
I have so much to be thankful for this year, it is astounding. It has been a hard year, and I have dealt with decisions and challenges that have caused me to struggle more than I have in the previous decade. And I am truly grateful for each and every struggle, as it grew my character and my resolve by leaps and bounds.
What truly comes to mind when I think of gratitude is the love and support that I have been shown this year. As my anxiety soared and my mental health began to teeter on the edge, friend and family rallied around me. I was shocked by the encouragement I received to quit my job, which was a major source of anxiety at the time, and to pursue this crazy dream of starting a publishing company. Typing Monkey Publishers would not exist without those words and actions of support. I hope that each and every person who offered me their time and their kind words (or a kick in the butt when I needed it the most!) know that I appreciate every bit of their support and that they had an integral part in this company becoming a reality.
What might not be on the top of everyone’s gratitude list is being able to say “I need help.” It is at the top of mine. For so long, I have fought against asking people for help because I always thought that it meant I was weak or incapable. This year, I began to say it consistently. I began to not only accept help when it was offered (which was something else I struggled with previously) but I also began to actively ask for help, and it has made all the difference. I now see that being able to ask for help is a strength, not a weakness. We are capable of so much more when we work together. To my knowledge, nobody has perceived me as weak or foolish or stupid or any of those other negative words I used to associate with needing help. I am stronger with others by my side.
Lastly, I am grateful that I have the chance to live out one of my life goals. I have secretly dreamed about starting a publishing company, but would never dare speak it out loud. I mentioned it in passing once or twice, perhaps in a “what would you do if you didn’t have your current job?” kind of conversation, but never as an actual goal. That changed in the summer of 2021, when I finally mustered up some courage and mentioned it to my mother, who was immediately encouraging and supportive of the idea. So thank you, Mom, for being my first true fan and supporter and for giving me the courage to move forward with what seemed like such a far-fetched idea. Soon after, you couldn’t get me to stop talking about starting the publishing company, and my family and friends all jumped on board with the idea. I was so excited and so motivated, and those feelings still live on today. I am blessed to be able to do this, and for that, I am eternally grateful!
