As Thanksgiving approaches, I've decided to think about the real meaning of the holiday. Forget the turkey, forget the corn on cob, forget trying to figure out whose family is hosting the dinner this year. Forget about the ensuing arguments about the aforementioned dinner and family. It's all about giving thanks and appreciating what you have.
This might seem a bit hokey, but I reached out to some readers and asked them their thoughts. Some got warm and fuzzy, others philosophical and some downright silly!
First, the silly: "After much discussion, we've decided that we are thankful for pistachio nuts and Pringles… the breakfast of champions." - The gang at Hothead in NYC.
"I'm thankful for my health and the health of my children. I'm thankful for my clients. And I'm thankful for the nice life this industry has given me. I'm thankful for all the friends, and I'm thankful that people still need to hear stuff the right way." - Howie Schwartz, owner of Manhattan's Howard Schwartz Recording.
"We're thankful to work on great projects with great people. Plus, we're thankful that technology makes it possible to work anywhere, anytime… wait a minute, we take that last part back." - Gabriella Mirabelli, managing director at NYC's Anatomy Media.
Doug Mielke, director of innovation at the Media Asset Management Group at Technicolor Creative Services, who at press time was dealing with the Southern California wildfires, puts it all in perspective with his quote:
"As an involved observer of the fires in Southern California, I put technology down to deal with a vastly more important issue at my home. I wasn't worried about my house. I was there to help my wife reassure our children that regardless of the outcome, all is fine. It was fine in the sense that everything truly valuable to us was in our vans in case we had to leave - photo albums, mementos, documents - what I call the glue of family life. I described the process in simple terms, if we lose our ‘house,' the insurance will rebuild it and when we move back in, WE will reinstall the family glue. During the next 36 hours that the fire's status was better/worse, our ‘home' looked more like just a ‘house.' I am very thankful that as the threat to us passed, we could reinstall the family glue without incident and return our house to a ‘home.' Spend a moment with those that you love to find your glue. You will be amazed at how little it takes to be the important substance of your life."
Wow.