I’m grateful that I stopped in time. I’m grateful that I forgave before it was too late. I’m grateful for all the close calls that I survived so I could still be here with my wife, my son, my friends, and my colleagues and guides, without whom I’d be lost. I’m grateful that I still have so much to learn. This is a statement of gratitude that I reshaped to incorporate my own sentiments for Thanksgiving. The tremendous experiences you gain as you make your path in the world comes with many lessons learned through failure and success. Although it can be argued the better lessons come from your mistakes.
However, the key lesson is that you are not alone as you make your way in life. There are many opportunities to connect with and learn from others. In fact, if you open yourself up to the opportunities, you will continually learn and adapt yourself in response to the people you have been fortunate enough to encounter.
Obviously, these encounters do sometimes cause hardship and misfortunes, but nevertheless you grow as a human being despite the emotional or physical pain you may have endured. But on the whole, these encounters are beneficial to all parties, who find themselves growing and gaining from each other as they journey together for time.
This is why we all look forward to the kickoff of the seasonal festivities, when Thanksgiving comes around as it affords us a moment to slow down and take it all in with our friends and family. Then afterwards we find ourselves in December, where we rapidly move through the holiday parties and celebrations enjoying the joyous mood, while keeping an eye on what the future will bestow upon us. For it is not long before the New Year arrives and sets us all up for another year of challenges and opportunities.
With all this to look forward to it does behoove us to also take a moment to consider a poll conducted by the American Psychological Association that found nearly a quarter of Americans report feeling extreme stress during this time of year and 45% of Americans would prefer to skip the holidays entirely to avoid the associated stress. In fact, according to National Alliance on Mental Illness, almost two-thirds of (64%) of people with mental illness report the holidays make their condition worse. Stress or anxiety associated with activities can contribute to worsening symptoms.
This year may feel especially challenging, thanks to the cost of living and the uncertainty around us with the economy and global conflict. This can lead to financial stress from lost jobs, and feelings of anxiety because of the uncertainties associated with the geo-political conflicts – these are all impacting the way people feel. In some cases, it can prove all too much with disastrous results for some individuals who end up seeking paths toward self-harm or worse.
I have personally had the misfortune of knowing people in my life who made the ultimate decision to end their lives because of their mental well-being and stress. At the time, those of us who knew them had no idea about the internal demons they were dealing with, until it was too late. It stills gnaws at many of us who knew them that we could not do more to prevent these individual tragedies.
This is one of the reasons why RI President Gordon R. McInally focus on mental health is a vital for us to take to heart during this period of celebration, where human connection is a vitally important gift that we can all benefit from. It is through Rotary that we can discover new and old connections, and ensure they are an important part of our membership experience knowing that we all belong as a result of our desire to serve.
Whether you feel excited, nervous, anxious, or stressed (or all of these!) about the coming holiday season, in Rotary you are not alone. By taking small actions each day, you can be the difference for yourself and make your mental wellbeing a priority. By doing this you will be able to see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Let’s build on this to help each other focus on the things that matter, stay healthy, and make time for ourselves to help avoid the mental stresses and anxiety that comes with the holiday season. We should also take to heart Gordon McInally’s simple lesson by learning how to ask not just “How are you?” but also “How are you really?” By doing so, you and Rotary can continue to Create Hope in the World.
