Cross-posted from The Green Suits:  

I suppose for some--out of work many months--Thanksgiving is a cruel holiday.

Seated around a large dining room table, surrounded by family and friends, the down-and-out will dread providing those gathered a credible answer to the question: "for what, am I thankful?"

Here in the U.S., one's happiness is often causally related to one's work and profession. (Thank you, very much.)

But, one's skills and many years of professional experience may not indicate future, ongoing career success. And we, The Green Suits, know that in order to succeed in this flat-lined economy we must be willing to adapt and to learn new professional skills, gain new experiences, and remain very well-informed and educated.

Certainly, we must be willing to reinvent our professional selves to adapt to change. If we haven't already, Thanksgiving is a great time to start.

For those still struggling to connect up with a new career assignment or achieve traction in the job market, I say do everything you can now--while you continue to look for work--to advantage yourself. You may seize opportunities which leverage your professional talents in a "skill-based volunteer" setting. For instance, finance and accounting professionals may use their skill and knowledge to help the less fortunate develop financial literacy (so that they are able to keep a job and thrive).

Or, you may volunteer to remove garbage from--or plant native trees near--a sensitive watershed. Your volunteerism is noble, but it is also metric. It demonstrates how you--The Green Suit--create measurable social responsibility and environmental sustainability gains (key elements of the Triple Bottom Line).

To the down and out seated at the Thanksgiving table, I say to each and every one of you: enjoy being surrounded by people who like and love you, who believe in you, and who will support your successful pivot into the New Green Economy.

We are The Green Suits. We will rise to the occasion. And, we will overcome the obstacles in our way.

Our best days lie ahead. Enjoy Thanksgiving, everyone! (And remember...save room for dessert!)

Peace.