CEO’s Message – November 2024

An Attitude of Gratitude

Has this year lived up to all your expectations? If not, you’re not alone. Whether the year has gone smoothly or been filled with challenges, there’s 1 simple action that can help improve a person’s mental state — practicing gratitude.

Offering thanks to others is obviously a blessing to them, but studies show it can also improve our own mental and physical health. Gratitude has been found to reduce the effects of anxiety and depression. Turns out, being thankful is not just good manners — it’s good for you.

Gratitude can be an emotion, an attitude, or a habit. I’d argue that by practicing the habit of expressing gratitude, you’ll start to feel it as an emotion and ultimately see a shift in your attitude toward 1 of thankfulness. So, how can you reap the benefits of an attitude of gratitude?

1. Keep a gratitude journal. Set aside time regularly to jot down your blessings. This practice helps solidify positive emotions and can lift your spirits during more challenging times.
2. Sincerely thank others. Don’t wait for grand gestures to express gratitude. A warm “thank you” to a neighbor, a handwritten note to a friend or colleague, or even a smile of appreciation at the market can brighten someone’s day. Often, just expressing thanks gives us an emotional boost.
3. Make meals a time for reflection. This Thanksgiving season is the perfect opportunity to start a tradition of sharing stories about your blessings with family at mealtime. It’s a great way to teach children the positive impact of gratitude and to share your perspective on life’s blessings with family and friends.
4. Take action. As you develop an attitude of gratitude, express it through acts of kindness. Help a neighbor with a chore or volunteer your time and energy for a local community charity. The holidays are an especially busy time for many charitable organizations, so why not lend a hand this month?

Though it’s easy to lose sight of the many blessings we enjoy in the moment, regularly reminding ourselves of what we’re grateful for can pay off with huge emotional dividends.

So, moving forward, I’ll try to remind myself of my many blessings. When the grocery store line is long and there aren’t enough cashiers, I can appreciate the fact that I’m able to afford food. When political ads become almost unbearable, I’ll turn my thoughts to the men and women who’ve served in the armed forces to protect our freedoms. When I consider the state of the utility industry, I’ll appreciate our cooperative’s leadership team and partners who are working hard to bring the best service to our members. And of course, when we experience a service interruption, I’ll be thankful that there are people out there working hard to restore power.

When times seem difficult, I want to be more intentional about appreciating the people in my life that make it all worthwhile.

This Thanksgiving season, I sincerely want to thank you for your membership with URE. At URE, you’re not just a customer — you’re a member and owner of the company operated by people right here in your community. You are the most important part of YOUR electric cooperative.