Thanksgiving week is a time we all spend counting our blessings. There are the obvious things like God, family, jobs, homes, food, clothes, but also the people in our lives. Rather than just being thankful for specific individuals, I’ve realized how grateful I am for the types of people who inspire me to be more like them.
I’m thankful for people who are truly honest in my life. Being honest with those you love is harder than it sounds. Honesty sometimes means telling someone you care about something they don’t want to hear. It’s easy to say things that make someone feel good; it’s harder to say something that might sting in the moment but is the right thing in the long run.
I’m thankful for the people who push back. I always feel like I have a lot of good ideas (don’t we all?!), but there are often scenarios, perspectives, or consequences I haven’t considered. I’m grateful for the people who push back and challenge my thinking. It often goes hand-in-hand with honesty but takes it to the next level.
I’m thankful for people who show empathy. I’m a Type-A, reactive, problem-solving person, but I know the importance of empathy (even though I sometimes forget to show it). Honesty and challenge are valuable, but without empathy, they can do more harm than good.
In the Venn diagram of these three qualities, there are very few people who embody all of them. But it’s good to surround yourself with people who possess any of these traits. They help shape you into a better person, just as I know they have shaped me.
Who in your life reflects these qualities? Take a moment to be thankful for them.
