But lately, I’ve been thinking about the things we sometimes miss. We spend a lot of our lives looking ahead, working toward the next goal, worrying about the next problem or waiting for something to change. But if we aren’t careful, we can become so focused on what’s next that we fail to appreciate what’s now.

Maybe joy doesn’t come from having more. Maybe it comes from simply noticing more, like the conversation around the table, a phone call from an old friend, children or grandchildren laughing in another room, a neighbor who checks on you, people who show up when life gets difficult or a beautiful sunset at the beach.

That last one reminds me of something one of my best friends said that has stuck with me since. A group of us were sitting on the beach one evening, waiting for the sun to set. As we waited for that perfect moment, some of us let our eyes wander to our phones. My friend looked over and said, “Y’all are going to miss the best part.”

How often do we do that—allow our minds to wander or become consumed with what needs to be done next? Meanwhile, the best parts of life are happening right in front of us. That may be the very reason why these ordinary moments are so easily missed.

I’ve learned that life doesn’t have to be perfect for us to be grateful. There can be uncertainty and still be something to appreciate. There can be disappointment and still be reasons to smile. There can even be loss and heartache while we remain thankful for the people and memories that have shaped our lives.

Gratitude doesn’t ignore the difficult parts of life. It simply refuses to let them be the only things we see.

At Randolph EMC, we have many reasons to be thankful. I’m thankful for the employees who serve our members every day, our Board of Directors for their leadership, and especially our members who place their trust in us.

This Thanksgiving season, take time to notice the ordinary everyday blessings. Put the phone down. Stay at the table a little longer. Listen to the story you’ve heard a hundred times. Hug the people you love. Say thank you. Tell someone what they mean to you.

Someday, we may discover that those little moments we were rushing through were actually the ones that mattered most. This Thanksgiving, I hope we don’t miss them.

From my family and our entire Randolph EMC family, Happy Thanksgiving. May we all find a little more joy by recognizing just how much we already have today.

Cooperatively yours,
Dennis Mabe, CEO