I think we can all agree with Alexander: for the most part, 2020 has been a Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Year. The pandemic has changed life as we know it, affecting too many families in the worst possible way and shuttering businesses that have been the lifeblood of our communities. We’ve witnessed devastating fires, damaging tropical storms, political upheaval, and the unconscionable murder of young Black men and women that sparked a movement not just in the United States but around the globe.

No, it’s not been a good year (murder hornets, anyone?) And yet, amidst all of this tragedy, we’re finding ways to recognize the gifts we receive when we rise to meet the challenges of adversity. And more importantly, we’re finding ways to honor those gifts by sharing them with others, both personally and professionally. 

Before the pandemic, I worked in New York — a weekly commute from New Hampshire — and when not there, I was on the road visiting customers or participating in industry events. And then it stopped. I haven’t traveled for business since the beginning of March. As a result, I’ve had the rare luxury of spending more time with my older daughter before she heads off to college, and my 13-year-old as she navigates the challenges of middle school. 

I’ve seen both of my children take a more active interest in the world around them, wanting to understand and to help. They call and text their grandmothers regularly. And they are both conscientious and careful when leaving the house, knowing that the short-term decisions they make about whom they visit and where they go could have serious long-term consequences. So, while a world in crisis may have forced my daughters to grow up faster, I have been there to help guide them. For all of this and more, I am blessed and thankful.

I am also infinitely grateful for my job and the people with whom I get to work. At Skillsoft, there is a camaraderie and genuine desire to make a difference — for our customers and the world — that makes the long days Webex-ing entirely worth it. Despite unprecedented challenges, our teams have worked tirelessly to help our customers continue learning and growing with resilience. As the saying goes, adversity not only builds character; it reveals it. I’m so thankful for what we are achieving together. 

For all of us, the holiday season feels very different this year. But as I write this, I am deeply aware of how fortunate I am to still have my work and a healthy family at home. I can’t imagine the anguish of families who are struggling to “give thanks” and find meaning while dealing with devastating loss. For many Americans impacted economically by COVID-19, food insecurity is a daily occurrence. I’m thankful for the opportunity to help through organizations such as Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. 

Willie Nelson once said, “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” As we head into Thanksgiving here in the US this week, I’m counting mine. And I’m grateful.