Eternal Promised Land

21 Friday Nov 2025

Posted by The Book Chamber in God, Grace, Gratitude, Mercy, Thankful, Thanksgiving

Hope each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving… Hope you enjoy my Thanksgiving Thoughts 2025…

If you would like to print and have a paper copy of this, click here: Eternal Promised Land

Eternal Promised Land
The seasons turn, slow and certain,
teaching us patience with what we cannot rush.

Every day… the road runs from daylight to dusk,
a long stretch of maybe and mercy.

Some days bloom with abundance,
others with the quiet courage to keep going.

Heart and mind remember…
the ache of effort, the weight of small beginnings.

Chasing dreams that never pay in gold,
and still, the sun keeps rising and setting.

The field of life doesn’t promise…
it just invites.

There is no perfect harvest,
but we continue to plant seeds in faith,
and gather with the trembling awe of joy.

Setting a table of bounty, warm before us…
the stories we reflect on are warmer still.

Knowing that living life has a way of letting you learn…
our Promised Land isn’t here on earth.

But for the time we are here,
it’s in the moment we look around,
and realize we have enough.

Thanksgiving…
it’s in the pause before the meal,
in the laughter between old hurts,
and in hands that still reach for one another.

For our promises are kept in the hands of the One
who reaches for us, and gives us…
our Eternal Promised Land.

© J Clay Norton, 2025

To view previous year’s Thanksgiving thoughts, download here:

2018 – Thanksgiving Grace

2019 – Home

2020 – Pause and Reflect

2021 – Nature’s Touch of Time

2022 – Blessings Counted

2023 – Gathering in Grace

2024 – A Heart of Thanksgiving

As you step into your role today, remember that you are not just an educator and leader but a shaper of the future. Your actions and decisions profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. Go, be the great educator and leader that our future needs.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

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Don’t Be a Leadership Turkey This Thanksgiving Season…

14 Friday Nov 2025

Posted by The Book Chamber in Actions, Effective, Gratitude, Leader, Leadership, Rest, Students, Teachers, Thankful, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized

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business, Education, Educational Leadership, Leader, Leadership, Learning, Respect, school, Teachers, teaching, Thanksgiving

Let’s be honest, this time of year can roast or fry even the best of us. The stretch between Reformation Day (aka Halloween) and Thanksgiving often feels like a sprint to the Christmas break finish line in sight. Evaluations, budgets, conferences, holiday events… and somehow, we’re all still smiling or plastering a smile through it (mostly).

But here’s the truth… leaders get tired, too. And when we’re tired, we start making “turkey” decisions… reactive, rushed, and more about survival than purpose. So, before you end up flapping around in exhaustion, here are a few reminders to help you lead with grace (and a little gratitude).

1. Don’t Gobble Up Every Task

Not every email needs a same-day response (unless it’s from someone you know you need to answer, or your mom, but she would have just called). Not every initiative needs your personal touch right now. Hand off a few side dishes so you can focus on the main course. Nobody wins when the leader tries to cook the whole Thanksgiving dinner alone.

2. Season Your Leadership with Gratitude

A quick thank-you can change the flavor of your entire culture. Send that email. Write that note. Tell the people you work with they’re appreciated, not just for what they do, but for who they are. Gratitude spreads faster than burnout, and it sticks around longer, too (kind of like all that food you just seasoned).

3. Step Away from the Stove

Model what balance looks like (kind of like your plate should look this Thanksgiving: a little bit of everything, and at least some green food). If you never unplug, your team won’t either. Breathe. Leave on time once this week. Don’t take your work home (your family will appreciate it more than you know). Go for a walk (you’ll need it after all that food). Read something non-work-related. Schools don’t just need strong leaders; they need healthy ones (especially after Thanksgiving).

4. Lead from a Full Heart, Not an Empty Plate

As the semester winds down, remind yourself why you started in education. Visit a classroom. Laugh with a student or a teacher. Celebrate a small win someone has. Your presence needs to be seen as grounded, grateful, and human, and it will speak louder than any email or meeting agenda ever will.

So, this Thanksgiving season, don’t be a leadership turkey. Be the calm at the center of the chaos, the gratitude in the room, and the reason everyone around you moves through the rest of the semester inspired instead of exhausted.

Because true leadership isn’t about doing more, it’s about leading well, living whole, and making sure the people around you know they matter.

And if things still get a little crazy? That’s okay. Even the best turkeys need a break from the oven once in a while. Step out, cool off, and come back ready to serve, with heart and maybe a little leftover pie.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… X @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

The Lost Art of Writing Thank You Notes…

10 Friday Jan 2025

Posted by The Book Chamber in Appreciation, Educational Leadership, Effective, Gratitude, Intentional, Kindness, Leader, Leadership, Maturity, Professionalism, Relationships, Respect, Sincerity, Thankful

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business, Education, Educational Leadership, Gratitude, Intentional, Leader, Leadership, Learning, Maturity, mental-health, mindfulness, personal-growth, Professionalism, Respect, school, self-care, Teachers, teaching, thank you notes

In a world dominated by how people communicate… quick texts and emojis, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, or if you are hanging on to your MySpace account, the timeless art of writing thank-you notes often feels like a relic of the past. Yes, I’m old school in many ways, but many things in life are timeless… some things just need to be practiced and maintained. Yet, the simple gesture of writing a thank you note carries profound meaning, connecting us to others in ways technology cannot replicate.

Many will say, “Thank you” upon receiving a gift, and that should be the correct response. However, a “thank you” is also a default response because it seems natural to say. Many people would say this is enough. Others will say that the recipient of a thank you note will just read it and throw it away. However, I believe these are misconceptions. Writing a thank-you note is not about the recipient’s reaction. It’s about the act of expressing your thoughtfulness and acknowledging the other person, which is always worthwhile. I guess my question is, “Why would you not?”

Here’s why I believe reviving and writing thank-you notes is worth the effort, focusing on their personal touch, intentionality, expression of gratitude, and reflection of maturity.

Personal

A handwritten thank-you note is deeply personal; it is a reflection of you. Unlike generic messages or templates, it requires your time and thoughtfulness. The process of selecting stationery, coming up with the right words, and addressing the recipient shows you value the relationship. A thank you note may stir something and resonate emotionally, letting the recipient know they’re appreciated. You might not ever know what it will mean…

Intentional

Writing a thank-you note is an intentional act. It requires slowing down to reflect on what and why you are thankful for and how to express it meaningfully. This intentional approach goes against almost everything our digitized minds use with the instant gratification of modern communication. A thank-you note says, “I took the time to think about you,” which leaves a lasting impression.

Shows gratitude

At its heart, a thank-you note is a tangible carrier for gratitude. It conveys appreciation. Why? Normally, positive thought, effort, or care is behind a gift or gesture that someone gives. I believe this expression strengthens relationships, as it acknowledges and celebrates the kindness of others.

Maturity

Do not diminish this fact… Writing a thank-you note demonstrates an emotional maturity factor. It shows you understand the importance of recognizing others’ contributions and are willing to invest effort in maintaining meaningful connections. It’s a skill that transcends etiquette, reflecting character and integrity.

As I try to wrap my thoughts around which of the four is the most important…, I guess all four are needed to square the circle… Regardless, reviving the art of thank-you notes can transform relationships. It can bring warmth to a person and possibly to a world that often feels impersonal. As we know, too many people hide behind keyboards anyway…

Since we are coming out of the Christmas and holiday season, I reckon there has to be someone you can extend a thank you note to. All it takes is one note… A few heartfelt words on paper might seem small, but they carry immense power to foster connection and gratitude. To use the SEC words, “It just means more.”

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… X @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.