What Katelyn Is Thankful For - Thanksgiving 2015

November 27, 2015 In Marketing & PR

What Katelyn Is Thankful For – Thanksgiving 2015

2015 has been a pretty big year for me. Both of my siblings got engaged, my nephew learned to walk and talk, I graduated from college, Brand Yourself hired me, I lost two family members, I made new friends, I said goodbye to two amazing women in my life as they left to spend a year of service abroad.

It’s also been a big year for the world…violence, connection, social justice, war, protests, love.

This year, I choose to reflect on my thankfulness for compassion in the world. I am thankful that:

The world mourns together after international tragedy;
Communities choose have important conversations about the way we treat one another;
All my friends have the right and freedom to marry whomever they please;
People find a way to give back to their communities, whether it’s monetary or otherwise;
My American friends in Jerusalem and Mexico are invited to family dinners and to join community events;
People everywhere are more aware and understanding of mental illness; and
In the light of all the ugliness, wrongdoing, bigotry, and ultimate unfairness in the world, we all still choose to connect with, and lift one another up.

Compassion comes in all forms. It’s in grand international gestures, the fostering of refugees. And I see it in the small moments, handshakes and held doors. I seek these moments of compassion every day. They are what keep the world turning, and they are the moments I want to be a part of.

Going through some photos of the past year, I realize how fortunate I have been. Thank you to everyone who has made 2015 a year to remember!

I’m thankful for boat rides with my black lab, Abby.

I’m thankful for boat rides and my black lab, Abby.