It’s that time of year when we look back at what we have accomplished, at what we’re thankful for, and what lies ahead in the year to come. What a year 2008 has been: skyrocketing (and plummeting) fuel prices, an election that seemed like it would never end, a flood of foreclosures, a bunch of bank failures, and a sinking stock market.

As I write this, Thanksgiving is right around the corner. It’s always a good time to stop and think about what we have, not what we want. I think this is particularly true this year. Here’s my list of what I’m thankful for. First, the obvious:

• My family. Although having twin 2-year olds and a 7-year-old boy can be challenging, I am truly thankful for them and my incredible wife, who works 10 times harder than I do to raise our family.

• My job(s). I have two jobs: My work at Quality Digest and running my own business, Paton Professional. Both of these jobs allow me to do what I love: write, edit, create, manage, and research. (I’m such a hopeless geek.)

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