×

‘Thankfulness is the quickest way to joy’

I see and hear UnityPoint Health’s tagline, “Know how much you matter to this world” many times a week and to be honest, after a while, I don’t always notice it. Yet, as I started to prepare my annual message for Thanksgiving, this phrase has never been louder to me.

Over the past year, I have watched our team at UnityPoint Health work harder than we ever have, working extra hours to not only help carry the load for our fellow co-workers, but to be here when our patients need us the most. I’ve felt team members weariness and shared their tears. It’s been hard. And sometimes it’s a struggle to find the positive in the day, but long ago I decided to not let this heaviness steal my joy.

On those hard days, I purposely take a few moments, I do some deep breathing, and I focus in on what is going well. Most often, my thoughts circle back on the people around me and immediately my heart is filled with gratitude. Because each individual placed in my life is here for a purpose.

We have all been placed here, at this very time of history, for a specific reason. While these are probably the hardest times some of us have ever known, there is a reason God placed you in the here and now. You have something to bring to the world that only you can. You belong here.

For this, I’ve never been more grateful because I’m surrounded by a team who has given so much of themselves during one of the hardest times in history. I’ve been placed here with some amazing people that I get to call my colleagues, my friends and my family. We ‘get’ to do this life together.

Yes, there are moments that can be a bit rough, and that’s when I make a choice – I can focus on the negative and become sad or angry, or make peace with it, move forward and keep my joy.

I encourage you as we enter into this holiday season to be purposeful in what you focus on. It is said, ‘Thankfulness is the quickest way to joy.’ If you feel negative thoughts creeping in, find three things you are grateful for. If you run into someone who ruffles your feathers in the wrong direction, be curious as to why you are feeling those feelings and assume there is not a negative intention on their part. As you end your day, ask yourself, “What went well today?” and let that be your focus for the evening.

We’ve all been placed here to love and serve those who are in our lives. At the end of all this – that is what will matter. My prayer for you this Thanksgiving is that your heart grows in gratitude, joy and you realize just how much you matter to your world.

Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving!

Leah Glasgo is president and CEO of UnityPoint Health – Fort Dodge

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today