A long time ago, I heard someone share a very simple recipe for professional and personal happiness: Rigorously study the discipline and art of appreciation.

I like this recipe for its simplicity. I also like that it demands action on my part. It tells me to buck up and realize that happiness is within my control as long as I ACT and work to learn HOW to make myself content.

Not surprisingly, I’m a pro at doing this when things are going smoothly. It’s a piece of cake to be appreciative when things are under control, my editorial budget is not being cut, and there is no impending worry that my job is in jeopardy. (You think you’re the only one who worries about this? Think again.)

But, it’s even more CRITICAL for me to embrace and act on the discipline of appreciation when it feels like my professional livelihood is threatened. That’s when I must rigorously study the art of appreciation. That, of course, is also when it’s the hardest to do.

And yet, this is when the effort I make will pay off.

Taking it a step further, I realize this recipe also applies to my personal life. And if you’re anything like me, satisfaction in my personal life is directly related to the sanity of my professional life. So, at times, this piece is even harder to master.

So, while this year has had its ups and downs in both of these inextricably interwoven parts of my life, I am committed to following the recipe I cannot afford to simply admire from afar.

That’s why my gift to you this year is to thank you for being loyal and involved readers of OSP magazine. Thank you for not giving up on furthering your professional expertise amid challenging times. And thank you even more for relying on OSP magazine and OSP EXPO to continue to learn, and learn some more.

Finally, thank you for being such a positive inspiration for this editor. I am forever astounded by the kindness and openness you all have shown to our team here at OSP.

Appreciatively,
Sharon