I owe my career to L. Thomas Reifsteck, long-time director of the Career Center at La Salle University. By hiring me without any direct experience in the field, he took a chance on me over 30 years ago that set me on a path of professional fulfillment and success. He saw potential in me I didn’t know I had, and it had a huge impact on my life. I’m so grateful to him, and I’m especially glad I took the time to thank him before he passed.

During this time of year when we are reminded to give thanks, think about all the acts of kindness you’ve been shown and the people who have made a difference in your life. These may be large-scale or micro-moments that accumulated into something big. Maybe it was your middle school choir teacher who encouraged you to join the play that instilled in you the confidence to speak in public. Or maybe it was a coach who showed you the power of hard work to make progress toward your goals, one day at a time. Maybe it was a professor or teacher who recognized a special talent you have and nurtured it to make sure you reached your potential. Or maybe it was a friend or loved one who gave you the space, compassion and encouragement to be uniquely you.   

These people helped shape your life, saying the exact thing you needed to hear or learn in that moment, whether intentional or not. These are forms of “cura personalis,” and they can have an outsized impact on a life. Take a moment this month to send a note of thanks to someone (or why not several people?), letting them know the specific impact they’ve had and that you’re grateful for them. You’ll definitely make their day, and, more importantly, you’ll learn the power of giving help, support and kindness to others in the way it’s been given to you. Happy Thanks Giving.

Trish Shafer is the executive director of the Career Center.