Gratitude and Reflection: A Thanksgiving Exercise
As I reflect on the blessings of this season, I'm reminded of how even in turbulent times, we have so much to be thankful for, both personally and as a global otolaryngology community.
Troy D. Woodard, MD
AAO-HNS/F President
As we enter November, the month of Thanksgiving in the United States, I find it to be an ideal time to reflect on all the things for which we should be thankful. I encourage you to pause for a few moments, perhaps even right now, and consider making a list of the blessings in your life. It’s a simple act that can help center us, especially in times when the world around us seems so turbulent.
As I started to write my list on the flight to Miami, the airplane began experiencing significant turbulence from Hurricane Helene. As the plane shook, it reminded me of how unpredictable life can be. One minute you can be smooth sailing and the next minute you can be in the midst of a terrible storm. In that moment of instability, I couldn’t help but reflect on how fortunate we are. Despite natural disasters, political division, and global uncertainty, we are still blessed in ways we often overlook.
In the United States, we are incredibly fortunate not to be in the midst of war, which many of our colleagues and their patients around the world experience daily in their communities. Although political tensions rise and fall and opinions may diverge, we continue to live in a country where peace prevails. We have the opportunity to express ourselves freely and work together toward building a better future, bridging those gaps, and working toward unity.
In our everyday lives, we can often overlook how blessed we are to have access to healthcare, pursue our passions, and live in communities where we are supported by friends and family. This Thanksgiving, I invite you to reflect not only on the tangible blessings in your life but also on the intangible ones—the ability to make meaningful connections, the resilience of our communities, and the peace we enjoy despite the challenges we face. Let us remain thankful for all that we have and may the spirit of this Thanksgiving season continue to guide our global otolaryngology community in the months and years ahead.