Gratitude

My appreciation for so many in my life

What a beautiful whirlwind this year has been.

So many opportunities, challenges, failures, learnings, and successes - a truly fantastic recipe for a great 2023.

The common ingredient in this recipe that I don’t always appreciate enough are the people behind any of my successes.

I am surrounded by fantastic high-performers on a daily basis and working with them is truly a pleasure. Project managers, product managers, designers, marketers, developers, finance experts, client support, business partners, and more… the list could go on for days.

I’ve written a few times this year on my leadership journey learning to depend on others a lot more. This continues to be a journey but one that I feel even more confident embarking as I’m surrounded by fantastic talent and fantastic people.

A grand thank you to each and everyone person who has played a role in any successes that have been associated with this year.

A final moment of gratitude

I make it a point to not write much about my personal life. I’ve always been a very private person and prefer to keep my family out of any spotlight - whether it be positive or negative.

I do however need to give a rare public shoutout to my wife: Brooklyn.

Brooklyn is a woman of immense talent and ability. She displays much of this ability in our private life through managing our home & family.

Her skills are also most humbly put forward on the musical stage as well - something that has been a passion in my wife’s life for much longer than she’s known me.

Though where she’s most under appreciated is her ability to know a person and help them feel appreciated when they feel defeated. She has done this for friends, family, and acquaintances for such a long time.

Brooklyn’s ability to pull others out of moments of defeat has never been more valued than by me these last few years. Making such a sharp pivot in my professional life has been incredibly overwhelming and frankly depressing at times.

There have been many days I’m thrown up my hands, expelled a profanity laced tirade, and swore up and down this pivot was all a mistake. It’s been my precious wife who has talked me off the ledge and helped me realize that I am capable to push forward no matter what obstacles stand in the way.

I don’t do public “thank you’s” but I rather hope to publicly highlight the person who truly stands me up in any successes - my wife, Brooklyn.

To all men seeking to find a wife:

In finding your own “Brooklyn” by ensuring that she is as strong willed, honest, righteous, and pure as she is beautiful. I’m convinced you will find more long-standing success in your exploits if your have a treasured woman by your side.

Final closing before Christmas

The Lord bless you, and keep you [protect you, sustain you, and guard you];
The Lord make His face shine upon you [with favor],
And be gracious to you [surrounding you with lovingkindness];
The Lord lift up His countenance (face) upon you [with divine approval]
And give you peace [a tranquil heart and life].’

—

Y’varekhekha Adonai v’yishmerekha (Hashem bless thee, and keep thee);
Ya’er Adonai panav eleikha vichunekha (Hashem make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee);
Yissa Adonai panav eleikha v’yasem l’kha shalom (Hashem lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee shalom).