A Valentine's Day Thank You

Happy Valentine's Day! 

In this short solo episode, I celebrate the support we receive from friends, family, and colleagues. It’s a heartfelt reminder of the kindness that helps us navigate life’s challenges and embrace change.

Key Takeaways

• A grocery store encounter highlights the hidden struggles of others 
• Navigating change requires a strong support system 
• Friends and colleagues play vital roles in our journeys 
• Family support is invaluable during tough times 
• Kindness is an action, not just a feeling 
• A reminder we are not alone in our struggles

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Check out my TEDx talk. Why you should take action - then figure it out.

Episode Transcript

Judy Oskam (00:02):
Welcome everyone.
Welcome back to Stories ofChange and Creativity.
On this podcast, we explore howpeople navigate change and
embrace their creative potential.
I'm Judy Oskam and on today'sepisode we're doing things a
little bit different.
This one is a love letter, athank you letter really to you,

(00:23):
to all the people who've beenthere for me, supporting me with
kindness, guidance andunwavering belief throughout the
years.
Now I know Valentine's Day isoften seen as a day to celebrate
romantic love.
The Latin word valens meansstrong or healthy.
I want to take a moment tocelebrate the love and support

(00:45):
we get from our friends, ourfamily and our colleagues.
It's that love that fuels uswhen we're doubting ourselves.
It encourages us to take risksand to keep on going when the
journey feels a little bituncertain.
It's the love that reminds usthat we're not alone, no matter
how challenging life can be, andfor that I'm incredibly

(01:08):
grateful.
So today I'm dedicating thisshort episode to all the people
who support their friends,family and colleagues along
their journey.
If you cheer others on andprovide guidance and advice and
help others, thank you, shoutout to you.
Well, you never know what peopleare going through.

(01:30):
I had a reality check last week.
I went to the grocery store andwas in the checkout line, I
noticed from the checker's nametag that her name was Marie, so
I asked her how she was doing.
Marie looked at me and said mydad is dying, but other than
that I'm okay.
I told her I was sorry.

(01:50):
It hit me like a ton of bricks.
I asked her how old her dad was.
He's only 70, she said, but mymom died at 60.
Wow, there was nothing I couldsay other than hang in there,
marie, I'll be thinking aboutyou and your family.
Well, my grocery storeencounter was a powerful
reminder that we never reallyknow what someone is going

(02:14):
through.
So if you can share a kindthought, a prayer, a word, do it
, just do it.
I count my lucky stars everyday, and you should too, and I
count my lucky stars for you.
Change of any kind can feelscary and sometimes intimidating
.
Whether it's health challengesor reinventing your career,

(02:38):
taking creative leaps or justpushing yourself out of your
comfort zone.
The truth is we don't navigatechange alone.
There are the people like youwho show up day in and day out.
I hope you have people in yourcorner too.
You know those ride or diefolks.
You know who you are.

(02:58):
They believe in us, even whenwe struggle to believe in
ourselves.
They offer encouragement at thetimes when we need it the most,
and sometimes they remind usthat we just need to put one
foot in front of the other andkeep on going.
You know who you are?
Yes, you do.
When I think about the supportI've received over the years,

(03:20):
I'm just overwhelmed and againremember this is a Valentine
shout out.
I'm just overwhelmed and againremember this is a Valentine
shout out.
Friends like you have been asounding board, helping me make
sense of the ups and downs.
I'm grateful for the manycolleagues who have helped me
sharpen my vision and steer meon the right path.
You've provided invaluablefeedback and pushed me to think

(03:42):
bigger and broader, and I needto give a Valentine shout out to
my family.
No matter the circumstances,you guys stand ready to offer
love and guidance.
Whether I need a word of adviceor someone to just listen or
someone to tell me I'm crazy,that happens too, and you do so.

(04:04):
Please don't underestimate yourimpact on me and on others in
your life.
It's important to realize thatkindness is not just a feeling,
it's an action.
Remember, we can measurebehavior.
We can measure action.
So if we look first for randomacts of kindness, it might just

(04:25):
change our outlook and ourperspective.
And I'm not talking about justthe big moments.
Those are not the only onesthat matter.
It's the little things, thecheck-ins, the texts, the calls,
the moments when you offersomeone just a simple idea, or
you share a laugh, or simplyreach out when things feel a

(04:48):
little overwhelming.
It's those moments that meanthe world.
So, on this Valentine's Day, Iwant to send my deepest thanks
to each of you, whether you're afriend who's always had my back
, a colleague who's offered somesage advice, or a family member
who's always had my back, acolleague who's offered some
sage advice, or a family memberwho's always been my rock.

(05:09):
I'm just honored to share thejourney with you.
So I encourage you to thinkabout the people who have
supported you along the way,everyone who believed in you
even when you doubted yourself.
Take a minute to thank them andlet them know how much their
kindness has meant to you.
And if you're on your ownjourney of change, remember that

(05:31):
you're not alone.
We've got you.
Thanks for listening to Storiesof Change and Creativity, and
happy Valentine's Day.