December – WE Are "Grateful"

December 1, 2021 Elizabeth Chrane

Good Morning Team,

I hope you all had a restful and joyous holiday with your friends and family. For me, it was a much-needed break from my daily activity and an opportunity to rest my mind, catch up on sleep and most importantly spend meaningful time with family. A dozen of us on my wife’s side of the family (3 generations) gathered in Dallas and it was the first time we had all been together in two years. We certainly did our fair share of eating, but more than anything we laughed and laughed! Whether we were playing games or telling stories from our past, from the youngest of the grandchildren at 13 or the oldest in their 80s, we laughed non-stop for 4 days. What a treat!
 
Don’t get me wrong, we have our crazy family dynamics just like every extended family, but there was something about this Thanksgiving that was different. Perhaps it was the realization that my in-laws are aging and we all wanted to make it a special holiday for them, or perhaps it was some additional perspective we all have after being apart from each other for so long…. But, whatever the reason, I left this holiday weekend with a full heart and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all the blessings in my life.      
 
As we closed out our last evening together, filled with long, loud belly laughs, I took a lasting picture in my mind (and a video on my iPhone😊) and filed it away in my “Gratitude” file. I know that sounds a little strange, but I believe that gratitude is one of the most powerful emotions. For me, gratitude has always been the key to providing energy and stability when I’m feeling a bit out of sorts. We all have bad days, tough stretches, and real struggles in our life, but I believe “Gratitude” is such a special gift to help us all navigate these times. I’m always amazed and inspired when I meet someone that appears to have true hardships in life, and when asked how they are feeling, they respond with “Grateful.” Such a special gift to be able to have this perspective and one that always inspires me to be more thoughtful, more thankful, and more aware of the many blessings I have in my life.
 
Team, as I shared in my video last week, I count my OneDigital family at the very top of all the things I am grateful for. I’m grateful to be in a 20+ year partnership that gets stronger and more impactful every year. I’m thankful to be in a business that allows us to make an impact in so many lives by striving to solve problems and “do good” for those we serve. And most of all, I’m so grateful to be surrounded by a team of passionate and caring individuals who think about others before themselves and have each other’s back in good times and in tough times.
 
Showing and expressing gratitude is such an important value that is rooted in the foundation of OneDigital. It helps us hold on to the “optimistic” attitude that is so important to our success. I see it every day at OneDigital; that extra smile, laugh, and expression of gratitude that lends a hand to team members that might be having a tough day. A simple “thank you” and recognition of gratitude goes such a long way to show your support and care for our OneDigital team.    
 
The past few years, while difficult at times, have helped me put so much in perspective. I’m amazed by what I can often now see, that I may not have been looking close enough for in the past. I try to remind myself to not sweat the little stuff, to look for the good in people and situations, and most of all to embrace and hold on to the people and experiences that I am most grateful for.
 
So, during this holiday season and throughout the year, please join me in being grateful for all of our many blessings at OneDigital. I’m grateful for all of you and all the future holds for us. Happy holidays team and thank you for being among my many blessings.
 
Adam      

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