Expanding the Gift of Gratitude In My Brain, Heart, and Soul
Here we are, the last month of 2019, already.
December will come and go before we know it. This is where dreams and goals are made and accomplished, careers grow, businesses grow, and we begin to look back on the year as a whole.
As I’ve grown older, wiser and learned from others along the way, I’ve found it very helpful to do this before the end of 2019.
I want to take some time to reflect early this year before we jump headfirst into 2020.
This year has opened up many doors for me — both inside and outside of my professional life. It has truly been a year of both highs and lows.
From working with Vanguard, a Fortune 50 company, in Malvern, PA, to working a summer contract with brilliant minds at Kindur, a fintech/insurance startup in Manhattan, NY, to now still grinding fulltime in insurance has been eye-opening for me.
The two other testing moments this year came when both of my parents were taken aback with personal health challenges. The scares were daunting for them physically and mentally. However, I was still mentally affected as well.
I found out on a summer beach trip to Avalon and Wildwood, New Jersey that my mom was going through an early breast cancer diagnosis. She battled through ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) stage 0 and radiation treatments most of the summer and fall. Thankfully, she is doing much better now.
Also, my dad just had his right knee replaced in early November after years of wear, tear and decades playing sports. He has a long road to full recovery but I’m happy to say he’s getting better and stronger every day.
Throughout the process and this year's wild journey, I’ve found that pursuing a practice of being more grateful has largely helped. Every day hasn’t been great for me, or for others, but there is only one direction ahead and that is forward. Things can always be a lot worse than they are but a positive mind finds opportunity in every event and season.
There is no need to dwell on the past because it cannot be changed. Look to the future and the abundance of opportunities that will be presented to us!
I’ve found that having crazy big ideas and chasing after them can be intimidating, but it has pushed me to try harder and dream even bigger.
I am very grateful for those who have contributed to my growth this year. I would not be where I am now without the mentors/leaders I have in my life. Thank you to all of those selfless individuals (you all know who you are).
I am very grateful to have loving friends, family, and my partner Lynn in my corner each and every day. Without all of you, this would have been an even tougher year to manage. I am thankful to have such connections and loyal people to count on, that is something I do not take for granted.
With all of that being said, I am extremely eager to enter 2020 and this new decade. May 2020 open up to you many more doors and bring you one hell of a year of growth, love, career advancement, business growth, professional development, personal development, leadership development, celebrations, challenges, setbacks, failures, success, and abundance.
I’m very confident that you’re only one or two moves away from changing your life in 2020. Shoot, I’m talking to myself here too!
This has been the story of my life so far when I reflect and take a look back. You’re one contact away, one phone call away, one book away, one new idea away, and one new mindset away from changing every aspect of your life in our new decade.
The key is to persist by always moving forward and to create new opportunities for your next move. I sincerely hope this helps you out! Remember, stay grateful too. There is nothing wrong with showing feelings of appreciation or kindness. Try it because it may help out more than you realize.
My Very Best,
Donovan E. Vogel
