November means a lot of things to me.

First. It’s officially really dark very early in the day. It’s cold. (Although this year the weather has been fabulously warm, sunny and enjoyable- if only the sun could stay out later than 4:30pm!) Winter is coming. I’m not a fan of the cold dark days of late autumn and winter – and often joke that we are now entering the most depressing time of the year.

However, that brings me to my second point. November actually marks a time where as a society we think more about other people. Ingrained in our heads is “Give Thanks” as Thanksgiving approaches. Give thanks for what you have today, because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Thanksgiving marks a time of celebrating with friends (Friendsgiving) and family, everything that we have to be thankful for. For them, their help, guidance, love, support, etc. I don’t think it’s coincidental that Thanksgiving falls when it does, at the darkest, colder month of the year.

And, this year it seems like it falls just in time for us to take a step back, and look at the world. To be thankful for where we live, our freedom and our protection. And, to be thankful that we have the ability to help those that are in desperate need start over, make a new life for themselves and their family.

So, as you contemplate on your life, and give thanks for all you have this season, think about those who risk their lives to find safety for their families. Think about those who can’t celebrate the holiday with their family, because they are on the front lines protecting ours.

And, make sure you thank the people around you, for the little things. The other day we were out getting dinner, and I watched the woman who was serving food get ignored by the people in front of me. I thanked her when she handed me mine, and she gave me a huge smile, and told me to have a great day. By saying 2 little words, by acknowledging someone who is doing something for you, it’s amazing how you can turn their day around, and how great it makes you feel.

So, as we prepare different ways to thank our clients for their business this year, thank our families for their constant love and support, and our friends for making life more enjoyable, we challenge you to reflect on the last year, and let the people around you know you’re thankful for them, and what they do. Even all the little things, that often go unnoticed. Let them be noticed.