Are you Thankful?

I recently attended the Mountain West Credit Union Association Annual Meeting and Convention. At this convention, I work with other Young Professionals from the Mountain West region to engage the next generation of credit union leaders.

This is a convention I have been attending for years, but this year, I noticed something different. As I worked with the Mountain West Young Credit Union Professionals (MWYCUP) Committee, our facilitator Dr. Brandi Stankovic, special guest Paul Norgrove from Police Credit Union in the UK, all the Young Professional Track participants and the other attendees, I realized something that I have felt but not acknowledged before in this setting, I was Thankful!

I was thankful to work in a movement that puts people before profit.

I was thankful to work in a movement that spans the globe and provides opportunity to learn and engage on a global scale.

I was thankful to work on the MWYCUP Committee with intelligent, driven and kind people that I also call friends.

I was thankful to see my peers and colleagues from across the region embrace the principles of diversity and inclusion to build the strongest teams possible.

These things that I am thankful for are big things, and they are important, but it got me thinking about the everyday. How often did feel thankful for the everyday things in my life? If I do feel thankful, was I expressing it to myself, my friends, my family and my team?

I realized the answer was too often no. I spend more time focusing on what I need to do or what can be improved. I don’t take time to celebrate successes and be thankful. I noticed, when I feel pressure to accomplish several tasks is when I revert to that base-self and plow through what needs to get done, without a lot of regard to those around me.  

I had the opportunity to give a toast at closing reception of the convention. I used this time to express how thankful I was for the big things happening in the credit union movement. As I left the convention, I made a personal goal to acknowledge the things I am thankful for in my life. Celebrate success more and make sure people know that I appreciate the work they do and I am thankful for their contributions. This small piece of self-awareness has made me see many things in my life that I have been taking for granted. I am resolved to acknowledge the things in life I am thankful for and make sure those around me know how much I value them. I hope you’ll join me!