Taking time to be appreciative

It is easy to be critical, but harder to be complimentary. That point was made by the guest speaker at yesterday’s luncheon of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association in La Crosse. Broadcasters from across the state who attended were treated to insightful, heartfelt remarks from former Viterbo professor Tom Thibadeau. He reminded us of the power of words and called on us to be thankful and kind. As I was surrounded by my colleagues, I found myself thinking of how fortunate I have been in my career, and what I have learned from those I have worked with. And, following Thibadeau’s advice, I want to thank them. Because he is right, we don’t say it often enough. I am thankful for my co-worker Mike Hayes, who just before the speech was honored as a local legend in Wisconsin broadcasting. Certainly a well-deserved honor for his 35 years guiding community conversations at WIZM. I am thankful for Dick Record, the general manager who hired me and who taught me so much about the business. I am thankful for WIZM’s former general manager Howard Gloede, posthumously inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame last night, who was both a boss and a friend. I am thankful for our current general manager, Brian Jackson, who deftly guides this company today. I am thankful for our sales staff, our news staff, our programming and engineering staff. I haven’t said it often enough, but thank you. And I encourage you to follow Tom’s advice, and show your appreciation whenever you can. It really does feel good. Thank you, for listening.