Connecting the Dots on Thanksgiving

Imagine the pilgrims, in 1621, as they gathered at Plymouth Rock to celebrate their life in the new world.  They had survived the 66-day voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, a ferocious first winter, and numerous encounters with wildlife, and natives in the new land.  You know that those who were there must have thought back over the previous year, the years and events that led them to leave their homeland, and all that encompassed them ending up living there in this amazing new land with the promise of an amazing future.  

As I ponder this, I am reminded of the words of Steve Jobs, “you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.  So, you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future”.  When the 100+ pilgrims boarded the Mayflower and set out on that voyage, they trusted that the “dots” would connect. However, they did not know how.  After the first year in the new land, those who survived looked back and were so thankful that they called for a feast of thanksgiving. 

On this Thanksgiving Day, as I reflect on my personal voyage, I decided to follow this process and “connect the dots” looking backwards being intentional about giving thanks. 

It is incredible to look back over the past 10 years and see how everything has aligned to get me to where I am at this place in time.  Below are the top four things that stood out from my reflection.  I will spare you the stories and just share the common factors that stand out as the dots connected. 

1.      People

The first thing that stands out to me are the people.  People that supported me, mentored me, believed in me, promoted me, stood by me, challenged me, and loved me.  I am so thankful for so many people and the relationships that I have.

2.      Circumstances

Call it luck, call it hard work, call it karma, call it what you want, but circumstances that have seemed devastating ended up being a blessing and circumstances that seemed like a blessing ended up being devastating.  Though I would change some, they all led to where I am today and I have made a point to learn from them, good and bad, so I am thankful for those circumstances.

3.      Health

I could not have experienced any of this without my health.  I am thankful to be healthy physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  I never take this for granted and I am relentless in the pursuit of whole life health.  I am so thankful for where that pursuit has brought me.   

4.      Faith

Without my faith in God, I am not sure where I would be, however there is no doubt that life would not be as fulfilling as it is today.  I am thankful to be a highly favored child of my God and I take comfort that his will is being done in my life daily. 

This is how I have approached Thanksgiving this year and it has been a wonderful experience.  I look forward to connecting the dots again next year!

Jay Graves is a proven leader, building successful teams throughout the past 30+ years. Jay has successfully led teams across multiple professions from military, police, fitness business owner/operator, corporate leader in single and multi-unit/multi-state markets. Jay began writing articles to share with his team leaders as part of his own personal development plan and continues to share his learnings with the desire to contribute to the development of leaders around the world. Jay is a speaker, author, and coach. He recently published his first book, “Line of Departure, Outstanding Starts Here”, which is available on Amazon. To learn more about Jay or to contact him visit www.jayfgraves.com, LinkedIn, or email jay@jayfgraves.com.