Each November, the United States and Canada celebrate Thanksgiving. While the customs and purpose of this national holiday have evolved, I like to think that its core objective has remained the same – to express gratitude. While we are a club of many nationalities and based here in Thailand, I would still like to use this holiday from my homeland to reflect on what I am thankful for in the Chiang Mai International Rotary Club.
While we encountered an unexpected change in leadership last month with President Roger Lindley’s resignation, I am thankful that our club continues to move forward in delivering humanitarian services, promoting high ethical standards, and advancing child safety, health, and education in Northern Thailand.
If you have spent some time in this country, you might have come to learn that drowning continues to be the leading cause of death among Thai children under 15 years of age. In addition, you might also know that the plight of poverty continues to be one of the gravest setbacks in preventing local children from realizing their full potential. In this part of the world, poverty often means not having access to prescription glasses, warm clothes at night, food on the table, education, medicine, and things like clean water and sanitation. I am thankful that our club continues to work towards tackling each one of these issues in a way that is both responsible, sustainable, and safe for those we aim to serve. Of course, what helps make CMIRC one of the most successful service organizations here in Chiang Mai is more than our commitment, meetings and volunteer work. I believe our success comes from being a club built on a shared objective to love and support our neighbours through talent, leadership, and a genuine desire to make this world a better place.
To quote author Melody Beattie: "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life."