I was stretching in the living room after a run the other morning. My boys were eating breakfast in the kitchen when I heard my older son Adam sneeze. Before I could utter a sound, I heard his brother Bryan immediately say, “Bless you.” I know that might not seem like a big deal, but with two teenage boys heading off to college soon, I felt like I’d won the New York Marathon.
It’s a small thing – (perhaps even a silly thing I got from the movie “Singles”) – but for me, saying “Bless you” after someone sneezes is a value that’s important to me. This small act of kindness that shows you’re paying attention and care about another person’s well-being is one I’ve drilled into their heads since they were little.
Values are something that have come up a lot recently with the legacy video work we’ve been doing with family foundations. Most of these foundations grew out of the sale of a successful family business, run by leaders who had strong values. Phrases like “they did business on a handshake” or “their word was their bond” have been common refrains across all four films we’re editing right now. I love how these folks meant what they said and followed through, no matter what. (I hope to be able to share some of these stories with you in the coming months.)
A few weeks ago, I started watching Ted Lasso – that show everyone’s been talking about. I believe one of the reasons it resonates with people is because of Ted’s positivity, leadership, and strong core values.
As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to share this clip from the show, as it’s a lesson worth remembering when you hopefully gather this year in-person with family and friends.
Be curious, not judgmental. Ask questions – learn about your family history or the story of a new guest at your table. Don’t judge people – whether it’s wearing a mask or going vegetarian.
When you’re sitting around the table and thinking about your blessings, recall the values you and your family hold dear – whether they are values you were raised with or new ones you’re trying to impart on your own children and grandchildren. And if you haven’t found a way to teach them, one of the best ways is by sharing anecdotes from your own life. It’s often in our moments of reflection that we come to know our values and can then pass them on to others.
Wishing you a wonderful and meaningful Thanksgiving holiday!
And, as Ted Lasso would say, “I appreciate you!”