Right in the middle of the bloody depths of civil war, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a national day of Thanksgiving which should take place every year.

His entire Thanksgiving proclamation (written by his Secretary of State, William Seward) is worth taking in, or even reading aloud, but the opening is particularly powerful:

“The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added …”

I believe Lincoln understood a fundamental truth in the human soul: how we choose to see our circumstances often dictates the state of our hearts — and, thereby, our future circumstances. After all, if a war-torn nation can turn its eyes upward — so can you, your employees, and your family.

You should sit in my office with me sometime, watch the procession of “wealthy” and “poor” clients — Clevelandbusinesses with 7-8 figures in the *bank*, and those going underwater. You would see what I get reminded of regularly: Sometimes my “wealthiest” clients are the most impoverished … and those without many zeroes in their accounts are flat-out rich.

“Rich” is a state-of-mind — and it’s tied to gratitude. It affects how you see savings, retirement, the current and future economy, and business strategy or investment. And, of course, gratitude is the enemy of fear. It’s like an opposite magnet for it — walk in gratitude, and fear seems to melt away.

So, here’s my advice for this week: Whatever financial situation you happen to find yourself or your business in, be thankful. There are hidden blessings in any trial … and hidden fears lying within any windfall or revenue surge. Find and savor the blessings, and watch your team, your business and your family thrive.

For my part, I’m simply grateful for all my  Cleveland clients.

I’m grateful for your trust, for your attention to my ramblings (which are taking on a bit of a different flavor this week), for your allowing us to serve you, for your referrals … for so many things.

I don’t forget that it’s people like you who enable me to do what I do — to breathe life and hope into Clevelandbusinesses, their owners, and their financial situations. And to help them enjoy the fruit of their labors, while carrying the peace-of-mind that the ever-grasping hand of taxation reaching into their pockets is minimized.

So thank you. For everything.

Warmly,

Michael Dolezal

(216) 485-2028

Michael Dolezal & CO, CPAs & Business Advisors