Our Top 10 Thankful Thoughts 'n Things

In the Season of the Mad Rush (holiday planning, holiday shopping, business year-ending, and so on-ing), I think everyone starts to get a little silly trying to stave off stress. I'm no different, as evidenced by my initial reaction to Thanksgiving being [insert OMG] tomorrow: 

5 Things I Know for Sure at This Very Moment

1. As time keeps flying by, I'm realizing I have no idea what happened to June.
2. Fall is entirely too short of a season. That cute, light-weight, perfect-for-fall jacket you just bought? Pretty sure you can wear that a couple more times before you have to let it hibernate in the closet until next year.
3. Daylight Saving Time is messing with me (who decided that was a good idea, anyway?). I've been confused on more than one occasion when I find myself in my PJs and yawning...only to look at the clock that's screaming "6:00 p.m." at me.
4. Shockingly cold days to North Carolinians call for short-sleeved shirts up North.
5. We've got a lot to be thankful for every day--and this is time of year is centered around expressing just that.

That silly little list kicked off a bigger idea. Evelyn, Colleen, and I decided we'd use this Thanksgiving week's blog post as a chance to collaboratively give voice to our thanks--whether it's silly, serious, off-beat, or whatever. (Giving thanks has no adjective requirements or restrictions!)

Springleaf's Top 10 Thankful Thought's 'n Things

1. Kindness and community. "This past weekend folks from Raleigh helped install the first section of a bereavement garden at the Hospice of Wake County campus on Trinity Road. It was a true community effort with design efforts from NC State professor Anne Spafford, her class, Hospice of Wake County, and a local school's volunteers. Just one example of coming together that makes me thankful for the kindness of others." -- Colleen 
2. "Living in a state as wonderful as North Carolina where I can wear flip flops every day; have access to local, farm grown food; be challenged by forward thinking and progress; and explore the landscape from the mountains to the coast (there's even a Mountains-to-Sea hiking trail!)." -- Colleen
3. The gift of movement. Running has never been my thing. Lately, however, with the only requirement being a pair of shoes (and for some this isn't even a requirement; just Google "barefoot running"), I have found myself pushing through the run and thinking, "I am lucky to be out here. I am not injured, I am not tired, and I am thankful for the ability to keep going." -- Colleen
4. 2011. "While I loved the year that I started the business, this has been our best year to date because we've grown so much in terms of great employees, awesome clients, and cool projects. I'm so excited to see what 2012 will bring." -- Evelyn
5. "The opportunity to make a difference and to continue building a company that makes a positive contribution to our community and world." -- Evelyn
6. Fun with the 5-7-5.
   "Thankful for haikus,
   Silliness in the office,
   And laughs with my team" -- Evelyn
7. "Having the 'right fit' job that encourages my creativity and personality to come through in my work." -- Catherine
8. "The joyous season of college basketball. Having grown up feeding on the Tobacco Road fanaticism and the fiercest rivalry of all time, I live for this time of year--and it's finally here! While I'm a rabid Tar Heel fan, I do love a good upset, especially for the ACC." -- Catherine
9. YOU! "Every day I log on and I'm reminded how happy I am to be a part of the lovely--yet sometimes strange and addictive--world of social media. I'm thankful for the conversations I have, the things I learn, the friends I've made, and...well...the people that continue to read my blog posts and find my tweets interesting!" -- Catherine
10. "And last but not least, what we're all thankful for: our family, our friends, our animals, our inspirations, and all the things that sustain us through constant love, support, and happiness." -- All of us

From our little nook of the blogging world, thank you for being part of Springleaf Strategies--whether you're a client, a devoted blog follower, a fellow Tweeter, or just a casual web-surfer that happened upon us. What are you thankful for this time of year (or any time, really)?

Happy Thanksgiving!