Behind the Thanksgiving curtain.

Remember the aha moment in the Wizard of Oz when we saw that there was a meak old man that was the actual ruler of the land?

He wasn't all powerful. He wasn't bigger than life. He wasn't a dragon, giant head, ball of fire, or horrible monster.

He was a kind, ordinary man from Omaha, Nebraska.

This week, we celebrate Thanksgiving, a time when we slow down and think about the aspects of our life that deserve gratitude. It's a time to pause the pursuit of more and give thanks for the many blessings we too often take for granted.

All this before standing in line for the biggest shopping day of the year. Ironic.

Anyway, back to the point.

Here's the interesting thing that I want to highlight.

In every story of thankfulness, there is someone behind the curtain.

• Being thankful for a job may be the result a salesperson that busted it to sell a ton of product so that you can have another job in the company.
• Being thankful for everyone getting together may mean someone giving the gift of gas money so someone else could make the trip.
• Being thankful for a roof over your head may mean that someone worked hard to create a company that, in turn, created jobs.
• Being thankful for your spouse may mean that a spouse is patient and forgiving to create marital health.
• Being thankful for being close to your parents may mean countless stories of financial and career sacrifice for the good of the family.

In other words, someone was behind the curtain creating the circumstances that someone else could be thankful for.

This year, instead of just being thankful for what I have, I want to create oppourtunities for others to be thankful.

I don't need applause. Ideally, I wouldn't even be noticed. I'll gladly stay behind the curtain.

This season, we have the opportunity to create the stories that will be shared around Thanksgiving dinners. I don't think it'll take hours of brainstorming to come up with ideas. I don't think it'll take thousands or even hundreds of dollars.

I think that if we take a few moments to think about where we can add value to those around us, we'll see the many needs.

I want to write some stories for people this Thansgiving.

Will you join me?