There are times of the year when we all get lazy–don’t deny it. We can think of a zillion other things to do rather than tend to what we know needs tending. For my agency, now is the lull. My single parents are thinking about buying Christmas gifts and paying off the credit card bills come January–not buying travel. So it is very easy for me to be lazy. I also think teachers are lazy around Thanksgiving as well. I was speaking to several clients last week and they all mentioned that their kids had “what I am thankful for” assignments to complete. Thankfully, my kids are older and have outgrown that assignment. But it seems like a toss-away assignment to me from a profession that is looking forward to a well deserved few weeks off. But, it got me to thinking about what I am thankful for.
When I was 8, I was probably thankful for the new Matchbox car my dad bought me or maybe some other trinket. As a teen, I was probably thankful for nothing–teens are miserable. But today, I wanted to take inventory of my thanks. And while it may be a cop-out and an “easy column,” I think it is a good exercise for us all.
- I am thankful that I have a career that I love and that provides an income to provide for my family.
- I am thankful for a huge network of friends and colleagues to whom I can turn for help on any issue related to travel.
- I am thankful that our economy is rebounding and that interest in travel is once again growing.
- I am thankful for the clients that have supported me over the years and I appreciate their business.
- I am thankful that I have forged some solid relationships with my suppliers over the years which have yielded a true partnership.
- I am thankful that our industry seems to be coming together and speaking with a unified voice to many different audiences.
- I am thankful for the wonderful acceptance of TRO as THE site for travel professionals and I am particularly thankful for the agents who contribute–it is a pleasure and honor to work with you.
- I am thankful that TRO has continued to grow and grow; and am thankful and proud that I have been a part of it from the very beginning in 2008.
- Personally, I am thankful that I decided to embark on program to lose weight and finally get in shape.
- I am thankful for deciding to get into this circus we all call “travel” 16 years ago.
What about you? What makes you thankful in your life? Leave a comment and we will collate them all for a future column!
2 thoughts on “My Thanksgiving thanks”
The point of your article is good. However I found your statement about teachers being lazy around Thanksgiving was offensive. Travel is my second career, and before that I was an educator for 37 years. Teachers around this country are frequently criticized without knowing about the real world of the schools. In my district teachers often came in on Sunday to be better prepared for the week.
I am sure you are not anti-teacher, but the statement was abrupt and not helpful to the population that works with lots of challenging youth. My years as an educator was an excellent preparation for being a travel professional.
Jane–there was no disrespect meant towards teachers at all and I apologize if you were offended.
The point I was trying to make was that the “thankful” assignment (given to many kids) was likely something in the teacher’s “bag o tricks” along with the “what did I do over summer” essays. Both kids and teachers, after Thanksgiving, are looking forward to the Winter break which is only a few weeks away. These two weeks (in my area at least) seem to be coasting weeks (along with the last week of school) compared to the others.
I am a HUGE fan of teachers .
John