Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving

As I sit quietly connecting to all that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving, I find that it all leads back to this work. All of the people, situations, ideas, projects, even technology that I would list as things to be thankful for all add up to one thing: the deep meaning this work brings me.

My family, who lovingly allow me the time and space I need to do this work, also flow with the risk-taking inherent in walking away from the safety and rationale of a traditional job to launch a new, uncertain heart-based endeavor.

My colleagues, who provide expertise, wisdom, moral support, and freedom for me to bring "all of me" to this work, and who graciously offer their legacy as a foundation from which to launch my dream of a world that works for all.

My Network, whose expertise, service orientation, and sheer numbers make credible the audacious claim that we actually CAN bring the whole system together as a nation, community by community, to create prosperity for all.

My mentors, who have helped point me to the missing links I needed to create and sustain the expertise, energy, and confidence to even attempt all this.

My friends, who patiently listen to my soapbox ravings, engage in stimulating conversation, and urge me to keep going.

Technology, that makes it possible to connect to more people, work from anywhere, raise funds, and share my obsession.

My persistence...yes, I am thankful for my own stubborness! It takes awhile to launch an idea that can change the world in the world that would be changed, but I can truly say that it brings me great joy to attempt it.

Of course, the only reason I keep going in dogged pursuit of the new world I think this work can help create is because of all of the reasons above. Like I said at the beginning, all things I am grateful for lead back to this work.