Thanksgiving 2018: Gratitude and Beyond
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. The holiday embodies gratitude- a sentiment that has guided all of the personal and professional decisions throughout my life. 2008 was the year Bumble Bee Baskets was born. Due to many growing pains and difficult obstacles, we almost had to walk away from everything.
Much like the bumble bee that isn’t supposed to fly- we learned to fly despite the challenges. We have overcome those challenges and even named our business after the brave bumble bee.
Which is exactly why I’d like to take the time to tell you about a few of the things I’m thankful for.
The Customers that Have Chosen Us For Their Gifts
Thank you to every customer that has purchased a basket from Bumble Bee Baskets. I appreciate you trusting us with your special moments- whether they be happy or mournful. There is no greater joy than assisting each and every one of you with your gifts.
The look on your loved one or customer’s faces when we deliver the basket is priceless.
The Friends and Family that Make This Business Possible
We’re nothing without family. Our team consists of friends, family, and dedicated employees.
When we needed extra hands around Christmas, it was our Bumble Bee family that stepped up to the plate and put in the extra hours. I’m thankful to have loved ones that care so deeply for my business and its success that they’d sacrifice their own time to help me deliver (literally).
The Opportunity to Serve This Community
From school and sports fundraisers for my two sons to charity work within Calgary and the surrounding areas, the continued support of this business allows us to contribute to the community that we raise our families within.
But it doesn’t stop there. This business has allowed me to help moms get extra money to support their little ones and students get their first job. In fact, one of my best employees is a Centennial High School student that sets the bar for what it means to work hard.
The Opportunity to Support Canadian Products
We could buy cheap gift basket products from warehouses in the States, but instead we work to find a Canadian (and preferably within Calgary) source for everything. Beyond finding your local favorites in our baskets, you’re once again helping us help the local economy.
With the help of local business owners, our baskets are able to be a true reflection of Canada and the amazing products we produce. You get to support several local business with every basket. Better yet, once you fall in love with these products you can continue to support local by visiting their storefront for more.
The Moral of the Story? Gratitude Goes a Long Way
In short: Gratitude is what opened Bumble Bee Baskets. It’s not the cello, the basket, or the handmade bow. It’s the opportunity to be apart of your gratitude. The look on your family, friends, or co workers face when they receive their basket is why we do what we do.
If there is one thing I have learned in life it is to ALWAYS be grateful. That’s not to say I don’t need a reminder every now and then, either.
I’ll paint you a picture. While trying to remove tar from our new truck, I began to lose it. And i mean LOSE it. And then I looked at my wrist. I saw my gratitude tattoo and thought: Yup, poor me. My new truck that I can afford to drive, put gas in, and even pay to go to a car wash isn’t getting ‘clean enough’.
10 years ago, this truck would have been out of the question. It sounds silly, but it’s little things like this that was get wrapped up in during the day-to-day grind. We stop being thankful for the situations we are in. I have made it a daily practice to be mindful and more importantly, grateful for the life I have created.
grat·i·tude
ˈɡradəˌt(y)o͞od/
noun: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Now I want to hear what you’re thankful for. Leave a comment on this blog sharing what you’re thankful for in your life. The best comment will receive a ‘Gratitude Gift Basket’ free of charge- including shipping. This basket will be valued at $150 and filled with items perfect for sharing.
You can have it delivered to you- or to someone that you are thankful for.
But whether you win or you lose: You’re spreading gratitude through our world. If we all took the time to practice gratitude, just imagine what our world would be like.