A Day of Gratitude at Work

Gratitude is good. That's simple enough, isn't it? Once in a while it's good to bring a little packet of gratitude to the work day. 

It helps if you're not super-busy or - for whatever reason - super-distracted by goings-on either at home or at work. If you are, maybe it's not your time for gratitude during this particular work day. 

But let's say you're one of those who's on board with a day of gratitude. So join the Gratitude Club. We're intent on taking some time throughout this day to remain recollected in some sort of spirit of gratitude either between tasks, or even throughout, as we're working on some particular task or project. 

Why now? Well, now that 2024 has gotten some traction, it's one of those times to take a deep breath and settle in for the long haul. And there's nothing better for the long haul than being grateful for what you've got - all, of course, gifts from our Heavenly Father.

On this end, our family managed to get through an especially tough emotional time. January 2nd marked  the 5th anniversary of our oldest son's death. He suffered a massive stroke on December 15, 2018 and lay in a medically induced coma until he died. So, really, the entire Christmas Season bears a heavy weight of sorrow ever since then. So where's the gratitude?

Well, the biggest slug of gratitude comes with the mere fact of the almost 39 years of our son's life. It was, from his birth to his death, the greatest of blessings. Sure, he and I had our run-ins - typical father-son stuff. But even during those bumpy times, there was not a day that passed where I wasn't grateful for that wonderful boy, that wonderful man. 

Since we're talking about gratitude at work, he was one grateful guy in those years before his death. It wasn't always so. He had some pretty tough years, especially the job he had before his final job. Since we worked in the same city, we would get together for lunch sometimes during the work week. He would share his frustrations. As a father, it pained me to see him so unhappy at his work. All I could do was encourage him to do his best, and keep looking for a better spot somewhere. 

To his credit, he prayed seriously for some relief, for a better situation. His prayers included visits to a our diocesan cathedral which had a side altar devoted to St. Jude. He told me about his efforts. I prayed along. Eventually he found that better position - actually a really good position.

And it wasn't all about money. He really liked working. He liked producing something with his work. He managed to produce good work both in his corporate marketing position, his avocation as set designer for amateur theater, and the impressive projects he pursued in his home for his family.

He was an inspiration to me in my own work.

With the recent 5th anniversary of his death, I hope you understand why I've put this front and center in my current day of gratitude. Next time, a few more items of gratitude, these perhaps more common to the rest of us.

Meanwhile, a reminder that gratitude should be part and parcel of every day of our lives in this Vale of Tears. The tears don't negate the good that God gives us everyday, starting with his grace. Being aware of this will help us to approach our daily labor with a lighter, more joyful heart. At the same time, it can serve as our spiritual well. We can dip into the sure knowledge that God loves us and will give us all we need to assure our work is always for His greater glory, the welfare of our family, the benefit of our clients and customers, and the common good.