Thankful for Connection

In a media landscape that defines our day jobs, it can feel like the groundwater’s run bad. Facts are up for debate. Public responses to wrongdoing have gone from sincere apologies to doubling down. Polarizing views are the most likely to be quoted. These are the things that can separate us. It’s part of the reason we made Connections the theme of 2019 at InkHouse. 

This Thanksgiving, I’m deeply grateful for this theme that has buoyed our work and our morale over the past year. We traveled abroad to build our international partner network. We expanded our reach into markets like healthcare and consumer. We made a deeper commitment to inclusion and diversity and met the people who can help us do it. We introduced the Connected Culture blog series, which began as a recruiting tool but evolved into another way for us to connect one another. 

The fuel for these new connections is the people who work here. Internally, we’ve hosted peer panels across our offices to learn about our co-workers’ most difficult decisions and proudest achievements. We enlisted the Kripalu experts to help our team build connections with each other and ourselves through mindfulness. We began volunteering with 826 Boston, New York and soon to be San Francisco to help under-served students tell their stories. And we’re closing out the year with an essay contest about moments of clarity that create doorways to new perspectives. 

When we find these shared experiences, the world becomes more expansive, we feel less alone and more capable. This year, I’ve had the privilege of a vantage point to see how co-workers support each other through difficult pregnancies, family illnesses, personal struggles, and of course, the everyday work that threads us together. 

I asked the Inkhouse team to send me one sentence about their gratitude this year. A selection appears below:

“I am grateful and deeply humbled by all of the support I get from family, friends, colleagues, InkHouse and my community that help me to achieve my goals.” - Rachael Durant

“I'm grateful to have an amazing support system around me including my unconditional family, loyal and thoughtful friends, and the most encouraging and caring coworkers who always know the right thing to do and say." - Jen Weber

“I am thankful that during this time of year I know that I will be spending time with my family surrounded by love, which the world needs more of.” - Tara Munro 

“I’m especially grateful for my growing family and the constant love they offer, as well as a workplace that is inclusive, supportive and feels like part of my extended family.” - Jessica Bettencourt

“I am thankful for having a perspective that allows me to truly appreciate the health and happiness of my amazing family and friends because nothing in life is ever promised.” - Brendan Monahan 

“I'm grateful that I've had the time to grow in my social, personal and professional life with supportive friends along for the journey.” - Anna Craven

“That InkHouse prioritizes empathy as a defining characteristic of its culture.” - Jason Morris

“Beyond my family and my health -- which I realize I should not take for granted -- I am incredibly thankful for my schnoodle, Beau; since he can't read, he is blissfully unaware of the many terrible things going on in the world -- he really just wants food and to be petted, and I am happy to provide both.” - Ed Harrison

“I’m thankful my family is healthy and safe - it’s as simple as that.” - Lisa van der Pool

“I am grateful for my family and friends, who make up the consistent support system that has continued to cheer me on and challenge me to be my best.” - Meredith Wilshere 

“As Mia started college at Coastal Carolina University this year, I am grateful for today's technology like FaceTime so I can have a real-time face-to-face connection with her because seeing her smile and feeling like we are in the same room instead of on opposite coasts means the world to me!” - Sabrina Bergeron

“I'm grateful for the amazing friends my children have made and the fact that it has led to me making equally amazing, supportive, and fun friends in those kids' parents.” - Jackie D’Andrea 

“This year I'm thankful for the constant support from friends, family, and even strangers as I start a brand new and exciting chapter of my life!” - Lauren Champigny

“I am thankful for my newfound ability to take more risks in life. I put myself in new situations that I would have not have in the past. Stepping outside of my comfort zone is scary, yet, has been nothing short of amazing and more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. Finding this new trust in myself is something I am thankful for.” - Kayla McMahon

“This year I am grateful for another year filled with growth, adventures, family and friends and love! In a world that moves so fast, the bad times can sometimes feel more powerful than the good and it's easy to forget what actually matters. I am grateful to be surrounded by people (both at work and in my personal life) that are making me a better me!” - Katelyn Di Salvo

“Due to my previous job's work schedule and policies, I was unable to travel home to Colorado to spend Thanksgiving with my friends and family - so, this year, I am especially grateful to be able to do that and I am grateful to work for a company that prioritizes holiday time for its employees.” - Max Lerner 

“I'm grateful for working at a job where my ideas are heard and I learn something new every day.” - Jenn Mabius

“I'm thankful for good health, a supportive workplace that promotes a wellness-first lifestyle, and to work alongside a team that I look forward to seeing every day!” - Jill Creelman

“I'm grateful for my dad, sister and husband Alex, as well as my wonderful in-laws and brother and sister-in-law. We're going to spend our first Thanksgiving all together with my extended family and I can't wait to bring everyone together at my dad's house." - Danielle Laurion

Happy Thanksgiving!