Since the day my boys learned to speak, I’ve asked them three standard questions on an almost daily basis. The goal is to set and reinforce values and expectations.
For example: “What should you do each day? The now 6- and 9-year-olds’ responses: ‘Do good. Be good.’
In the last year, I’ve added to the list, changing the final question up every couple of months. We’re currently focused on gratitude, basing the query and conversations around the saying, “Happy people are not grateful. Grateful people are happy.”
After the “inquisition,” I ask them what are two to three things they’re grateful for. Family and ice cream frequently make the list.
I find great benefit in listing what I’m grateful for. It helps me focus on what I have instead of what I desire.
As I get settled in the Roaring Fork Valley, I have a lot to thankful for. Here are a few.
Grateful for the Roaring Fork Valley
Moving here is a dream come true for our family. My wife and I wanted the boys to experience hikes and bike rides in the mountains, to go skiing, and to share those experiences as a family.
We’ve taken to the trails and been amazed. We’ve been to ski lessons … which is a work in progress. I think the ski instructor and myself were both rethinking some of our life choices by the end of the session.
In a world that is moving toward virtual reality, we wanted to ingrain into our kids the wonder of actual reality, and I can think of no place better to do that than here.
Grateful to be your publisher
I’m thrilled with the opportunity. I’m blown away by the newspaper media’s reach. Counting print distribution, our website audience, social media posts and daily email notifications, we reach 30,000 people a day.
That’s amazing considering the perception of newspapers and the size of the valley. But it’s not shocking. This company has viewed its products not as a newspapers but as newspaper media, which has allowed it to grow.
The end result of that reach is a well-informed community. There is a different level of awareness and community here than I’ve experienced at other newspaper outlets, and that is beneficial for us all.
Grateful for the PI team
Typically, in a leadership role, my focus at first is spent meeting people. I’ve always penned a column the first week in, and here, I’m writing my first one five months after starting.
But we had some non-typical issues. The PI has had a plethora of employee transition during the last two years, as well as customer service problems.
The focus has been on building a culture of retention and improving customer service. We’re not where we need to be, but we’re on the right path.
I’ve spent many hours with the team, and words cannot express my gratitude for their hard work on this ongoing journey.
They are a wonderful group of people dedicated to their respective jobs, and focused on how we can make the PI and CT better now and in the future for you — our community and clients.
Grateful for the future … and you
As we’ve begun to stabilize some internal issues, my focus is shifting: I want to meet you. We have some great ideas for 2019, and would love get your feedback. Or just chat.
If you would like to meet or simply share some insights, feel free to call me at 970-384-9133 or email at jraehal@postindependent.com.
I’d be grateful for the opportunity.
Jerry Raehal is publisher for the Glenwood Springs Post Independent, the weekly Citizen Telegram in Rifle and our website, postindependent.com.