Did you watch the Super Bowl this year? What about the ads? Did you notice any trends? I sure did. And, with the amount of money that goes into those ads, we can probably trust that their approaches have some expertise behind them. These people know what they're going for. And I'm going to guess they'll get it. Whether we consciously know we're giving it to them or not, right?

I know what you’re thinking: “Hmmm, first it was five, then four, now one, just ONE fascinating find for this month?” I’m not pulling a fast one on you, I promise. There is a good reason that I’m only sharing one story—and it’s not because my wingnuts are still twisted too tight, or because I couldn’t find anything interesting enough. It’s because, in my mind, the following is the most important point to ponder as we go in to the new year. Ready? Here it is:

“It was many years ago that villagers in Downstream recall spotting the first body in the river. Some old timers remember how spartan the facilities and procedures were for managing that sort of thing. Sometimes, they say, it would take hours to pull 10 people from the river, and even then only a few would survive.

“I love your boots,” she said. To which I replied, “Oh, these. They’re really old and kind of beat up, but yeah, um, thanks.” Hmmm. Some of us stink at taking compliments. Not that I’m fighting them off constantly or anything, but I have been trying harder to graciously receive compliments rather than attach some disclaimer that ruins the entire transaction. I guess I still fall back on my old ways from time to time. I know many of you are the same way, or they wouldn’t make so many eCards about it!

I just celebrated my six-year anniversary at Baudville, which is kind of a big deal for me. It is by far the longest I’ve worked for a company, and, while there are a number of reasons why that is, I can say definitively that one of the biggest ones has to do with the team I work with. 

Truth is, my team has evolved several times over these years, but no matter who has been on it, it’s the respect, bonds, collaborations, and happiness we create together that keep me coming back. Every day (mostly). For SIX years.

We just completed our fourth-annual Hold it for the Holidays competition, and the numbers are in: we had 14 participants, and, of those, 11 succeeded! And, those who did actually lost a combined 36 pounds. Wow! They'll get to split the pool of $390 (more than 35 bucks each—not bad!) and enjoy the satisfaction of their hard work, as well as a bit of relief knowing they don't have to make “lose holiday weight” one of their New Year's resolutions.