Do you ever feel like you are missing out on something? Like having lunch at the cool kids' table or not getting what appears to be an inside joke? Maybe you are the guy that works so hard who he keeps his head down, nose to the grindstone and shoulder to the wheel - maybe that is why you miss out. All of the above is how I have felt as of late: like I am missing out, working too hard..., And I have to tell you, it is a good feeling. To be busy, to have a place you go called work, to have a place you care for called home, to have people with whom you spend time called friends or family, and to always be learning and growing.

Those of us that feel that way right now have a lot to be thankful for. An easy look around us proves that we have brothers and sisters that have not fared so well, and are still struggling to make it or to merely get by. We have all been there. I don't forget what it was like. I won't let myself.

We now have more to be thankful for than ever as we look back at the devastating earthquake in Haiti and the weekend's quake in Chile. To our friends and colleagues affected by these tragedies, we send you wishes and prayers and good thoughts. It is difficult for me to think about much else today, so I hope you will bear with me. If you can help, please do. If you can simply offer a good thought, please do. If you need help, send out an SOS. This is a great network of people that can make incredible things happen. Let us know.

The world as we know it has been shaken and stirred. Yes, life goes on and there are still deadlines that need to be met, positions that need to be filled and jokes that need to be told. Take a breath though and have a spot of respect and courage to show it. Be fully aware of what you have to be thankful for and recognize that the next tornado may touch down in your backyard, the next hurricane could flood your street, a blizzard may take out your power, an earthquake may rattle your nerves, and a tsunami may litter your town.

The cool kids' table doesn't matter so much anymore. The punch line is no longer that important. When you can see clearly and the picture is a warm, safe place to stand, sit, and sleep - then be thankful and grateful knowing others aren't so lucky, fortunate, or blessed. The drive isn't so long, the call isn't so hard to make, and the work isn't too difficult. But tomorrow might be another story.