President’s Corner: This Time of Year Makes Me Think About Gratitude

by Heidi Mansir, ANCOR President

What does it mean to be grateful? It doesn’t mean trying to convince myself that everything in my life is wonderful. For me, living my life with gratitude means taking the time to recognize and appreciate the things that I am thankful for. Taking time for appreciation fills my cup, it makes me feel happy, and in these difficult, turbulent times, it puts the metal in my spine to keep moving forward. I like to end the year making an appreciation list so that I can start the new year with those feelings.

This year my list is long, it includes some really big things, some wonderfully ordinary things, and it also includes some items that might seem small and silly to others. Every one of these items warm my heart.

My relationship with ANCOR is one that falls high on my list. I am grateful for the relationships that I have built, the support of my colleagues, and for the information that I receive that helps me to do my job every single day. I am thankful for this wonderful ANCOR community.

There is a quote from the author Melody Beattie that I absolutely love. It states:

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…

It makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

There are so many things to be grateful for. As we move into the new year, I hope you have a few moments to contemplate your list.

Happy Holidays, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to lead ANCOR in this role as President!