More Than Fireworks
This past weekend America celebrated its 250th birthday. While we're still a relatively young nation compared to much of the world, it's an incredible milestone and one that caused me to reflect on what makes our country so special.
A few days before Independence Day, my friend David Alan, owner of David Alan Hospitality, sent an email to his team that caught my attention. As someone who loves both history and hospitality, I thought it was fascinating.
Suggesting that our founding fathers were pioneers in off premise catering, he shared that during the Revolutionary War, George Washington traveled with a custom-built campaign cookbox - a mobile kitchen complete with nesting pots, folding grates, a coffee grinder, and everything needed to prepare meals on the move. He said: “Washington understood something caterers know well today: you can't accomplish a mission without great logistics, the right equipment, and a team capable of executing under pressure.”
David also reminded his team that Thomas Jefferson often brought political opponents together around the dinner table. He believed exceptional food and hospitality could create an environment where people were more willing to listen, collaborate, and solve difficult problems. Long before conference rooms and Zoom calls, relationships were built over shared meals.
I love the idea that two of our nation's founders understood the power of hospitality.
Celebrating Independence day with family
Like many people, there are things happening in our country today that concern me. It's easy to become frustrated when we focus on division, conflict, and everything that feels broken. But this weekend reminded me that gratitude and frustration can exist at the same time. We don't have to ignore our challenges to appreciate the incredible blessings we enjoy.
We live in a country founded on freedom, strengthened by people from every corner of the world who have brought their cultures, traditions, and ideas together. We get to experience breathtaking mountains, deserts, coastlines, and cities, while building businesses, pursuing dreams, and creating opportunities that much of the world only hopes for.
As leaders, we face the same choice every day. We can fixate on what's wrong, or we can appreciate what's right while working to make tomorrow even better. Gratitude doesn't diminish our desire to improve, it gives us the perspective and energy to do something about it.
This week, instead of focusing on what frustrates you, take a moment to appreciate what you have because of a foundation that was created 250 years ago. It could be your family, your team, your community, or the opportunities in front of you. Then ask yourself, "How can I make my small corner of the world just a little bit better today?"
Sometimes the most patriotic thing we can do is serve the people around us.
