For some reason, I am smitten with this whole 12/12/12 phenomena. I am not proud of this fact…but the first step in getting help is to admit that you have a problem.
I have always been fascinated by interesting dates. It probably started on 9/9/81, my first Square Root Day…you know, where the square root of the year equals the month and day. Mrs. Knight, my 7th grade teacher, made a huge deal about it for weeks before the day arrived. She constantly reminded us that another Square Root Day wasn’t going to come for 20 years. I kept thinking, “Wow, I wonder what I will be doing in 20 years?!?!” Little did I know…
We have experienced three Square Root Days since that fateful day and I have never missed celebrating one! (Oops – did I really admit that?!?!) I won’t get into all of the other dates that fascinate me as I’ve clearly said enough. But today just seems special. And we won’t have another day like this for 89 years (or 32,161 days to be exact!).
Since I am so thankful for today’s numerical balance, I thought I would take a moment to share 12 more things that I am thankful for today:
12 Things I Am Thankful For
(1) All of the great work being done in the nonprofit sector. The world is being changed one mission, one donor, one volunteer and one program at a time. It’s fun to watch and to be a small part of the movement.
(2) Katya Andresen’s nonprofit marketing blog. You likely know Katya in her role as COO at Network for Good; her daily blog provides easy to read insights and profound wisdom for those trying to make a difference in the world. I particularly liked this recent post on consumer trends in 2013 and how they will affect nonprofits.
(3) The most incredible staff ever assembled. They are not just amazing as consultants but they are even more amazing as people. Wow!
(4) Two amazing children who inspire me every day and are making the world a better place. Surf over to Clipboards for Russia to see an example of why I am so inspired!
(5) The world’s most supportive, beautiful, caring and loving wife who lives up to her ultra cool name. I’ve said this many times (and only my football-loving friends understand the analogy), but I definitely outkicked my coverage when I married Holly.
(6) Poseidon Fitness‘ outdoor boot camp fitness class. Rain or shine, hot or cold – it’s a twice a week discipline that clears my head (and sometimes the sinuses!) while working out (and hanging out) with great friends.
(7) How nonprofits have embraced social media. Click on this very cool infographic from MDG Advertising (via Mashable) for a great overview of what happened in 2012. The future is now and nonprofits are catching the wave.
(8) Diana Krall’s version of “Jingle Bells” and Dave McKenna’s version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Buy them on iTunes. You will thank me later.
(9) That the college football season is over (for me) and that the professional football season was over after about week #4 (for me). Now, if we could only bring hockey back, then I would have another thing to be thankful for!!
(10) The beautiful simplicity of Square as a payment and donation tool. I work with a number of small nonprofits (two of which I run) that use Square daily to track donations, product sales and transactions. It is super cool, easy to use and great looking. But what would you expect from the founders of Twitter?
(11) Mike & Ikes. Need I say more?!?! (I guess I did in our very first blog post earlier this year.)
(12) For the courage, strength, unconditional love and acceptance of a group of very special kids in Russia who have helped me redefine what the words “neighbor” and “family” really mean. They help me put everything…and I mean EVERYTHING…into perspective.
What are you thankful for this holiday season?
Moments of Clarity 