Unexpected Blessings
As I write this New Year’s Post I’ve been reflecting on how my life has changed over the past few months. I’ve also been reading a lot of commentary on “writing off” 2020 especially during the holiday season and have been thinking about that sentiment.
I know 2020 brought many people circumstances that were difficult or tragic, so as I write my reflection I want to honor that space for those who are grieving.
As a counterpoint, I wanted to share an unexpected blessing I received during the past month.
Knowing I wouldn’t be doing any in-store events or attending holiday gatherings I was worried that I might feel a sense of loss during the season. So, I decided last fall that I would personally wrap and ship all of the gift orders for our company out of my home.
I ordered bags, ribbons, notecards and put up a packing table in my living room. I wrote notes about good cheer, shared memories, conveyed wishes for, variously, a happy, healthy, blessed or prosperous new year.
I noticed as the weeks went by I woke up each morning eagerly pulling up our online orders to see who had ordered a gift from the evening before. I looked forward to my afternoons when I carefully wrapped up their gifts and wrote their notes of good cheer. In those moments I felt a deep sense of gratitude to everyone who entrusted me with their loved ones, and felt like they were giving me a present as well.
I’ve read about the mental health benefits of a daily gratitude practice but truthfully I haven’t done it on a consistent basis. I tend to pull out my pen and paper in moments of sadness to distract me from my feelings, so I was surprised to find that I inadvertently found myself with a daily gratitude practice during the holidays. I can honestly say it truly added so much joy to my life and the true spirit of Christmas floated throughout my home.
I share these thoughts for while there is near universal joy in turning the last page of the 2020 calendar it may be hasty to “write it off” without a moment of reflection.
For me it is a deep sense of gratitude for the community in which I live and a deep sense of love for the community which Jane and I have co-created over the past 8 years.
With that spirit in mind before we move forward into the New Year, I want to look back and thank the many people who shared our Zen journey and helped us throughout the year….
Our Zen team has been incredible – Vonda, Amy, Debbie, Ann, Peggy and Paige, who continue to show up with their best self and have worked tirelessly to pivot/transition/transform our business during the twists and turns of 2020. A special thanks goes to Kim Koch, who joined us at a critical time to help us elevate our social media presence.
Our strategic partners who helped transform our online presence into something more robust – thank you to Charlotte, Mana and Jordan.
Our designer, Cindy, who continues to help us refine the “look” of Zen.
Our suppliers, who continue to be our biggest champions, Julie at Woodland Foods, Rich at Green Bay Packaging, Rich at AWT Labels, Joe at Real Graphix and John at Dream Transportation for helping us keep up with our orders during a year of supply chain challenges.
Our packaging partners at Planet Access Company and Assemblers who were incredibly flexible as we met unanticipated demand for our product online.
And a special thanks to Jacob and Martell at Express Trading, who manage our distribution at Walmart. They were incredibly kind, patient and helpful as we moved through the spice shortages that occurred in the fall.
Finally, to the community of home cooks who are sharing our journey. Jane and I agree that it is one of the biggest blessings of having our own business. We have customers who have been “gifting” Zen to friends and family for years. This season I had a lot of fun with a few of our customers who kept expanding their lists- thank you Lourdes, Ann and JoAnn. We are grateful for our time together and excited to hear more stories over the years to come.
In closing, it has been such a joy to share these moments with you, and we are wishing all of a healthy, vibrant new year!
Warmly-
Meg & Jane
Author’s note…
Jane and I are committed to helping raise more funds and awareness for causes near and dear to our heart in 2021! We are starting out the new year to raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is an American pediatric cancer charity founded by Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who lived in Connecticut and suffered from neuroblastoma. The Foundation was started in 2005 by Alex’s parents. Throughout the month of January 15% of your proceeds will be donated on your behalf to this incredible organization. So stock up for the winter months!
Zen Moment
“It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.” -Germany Kent
