Time for Reflecting on What We are Thankful for

November is generally the time to reflect on the past year, the upcoming holiday season and all the blessings we should be thankful for.

The mornings are a little cooler, the leaves have changed colors and have fallen from the trees, and the winter season is creeping in.

The Choctaw Nation has a lot to be thankful for – first and foremost are all the tribal members. Chief Batton and I attend many events across the reservation and country – our Chahta family is always there with a smile and a warm embrace.

You never fail to offer great insight and inspiration to me and for that I am extremely thankful. The tribe is the sole reason why we work so hard to ensure that all the services and programs that the Choctaw Nation provides will be there for our citizens now and well into the future.

Just this past September, the nation held another extremely successful Labor Day Festival. Our associates, executive team and tribal members came together for a great event that highlights our faith, family and culture. If you want a crash course in what the Chahta Spirit is, I suggest attending the Labor Day Festival to see what the Choctaw Nation is all about.

The Labor Day Festival also launched Chief Batton’s annual State of the Nation report and highlighted all the successes of the Choctaw Nation in 2024. Our departments reported a successful year that should be a great launch pad into more success in 2025. It is worthwhile to find out what the Choctaw Nation has accomplished in 2024 and how each department reported their successes this year.

The Choctaw Nation is growing, and we are adding more employees each year to cover all the new services and programs that we offer.

Choctaw Landing opened this year and brought more than 400 new jobs to Southeastern Oklahoma. It is a beautiful, new resort that we hope you will take advantage of.

The Hochatown area of Oklahoma is one of the most beautiful areas of the country and it is always nice to see the scenery and nature when I am there.

As we approach the holiday season, I know it is easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle. It is important that you take time to stop and remember why we celebrate Thanksgiving and all the blessings we have received this year.

There are ups and downs each year, but you are here, breathing and full of hope for what comes next. Enjoy the simple things in life and if you do that, the complex things that life throws at you will not seem so insurmountable.

Reach out to friends and family this year. Make that phone call to a relative or friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Volunteer to help people in need. Donate to a food bank. In this month of Veterans Day, thank a veteran for their service. Drop by and see a friend or neighbor who has been having a rough time this year and make their day a little brighter. Be a light to someone who is going through a dark time. Being kind has never been a waste of time or energy. And it costs nothing to be kind.

Most of all, count your blessings and be thankful for all that you have. Remember to thank the Good Lord for every new day you are given – it is a blessing, so be thankful.