Gratitude, Time, and the Beautiful Mess of Being Human

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From the desk of the CEO

So, it’s the end of the year, and here we are, shocked again at how fast it has flown by. Time! That old rascal. Einstein said it wasn’t real, James Taylor sang that it wasn’t real, and yet we keep stuffing it with things like “holidays” and “goals” and “gratitude,” as if that’ll make sense of it.

The truth is, we don’t need a calendar to remind us to be thankful. Gratitude isn’t seasonal. It doesn’t show up like eggnog or Christmas lights. It’s supposed to stick around, like bad knees or the smell of your favorite old coat. And yet, every December, here we are—trying to cram a year’s worth of thankfulness into a few awkward weeks. Silly humans. 

Gratitude, though, isn’t just some cosmic thing you nod at before slicing the turkey. It’s specific. It’s personal. It’s as real as the hands you hold and the people who show up for you when you need them—or even when you don’t. So, here’s to all the things I’m grateful for, year-round, not just during this holiday rush: 

I’m grateful for my work friends, who make me laugh even on the longest days and who somehow tolerate me as I morph before their very eyes into a crabby old man. I’m grateful for old friends, the kind who remember your bad haircuts and still love you for it. I’m grateful for new friends, because the world doesn’t stop surprising you with good people. And, of course, family—biological and chosen, because sometimes love comes from blood, and sometimes it comes from shared meals, late-night talks, or simply being there. 

I’m grateful for the guy who delivers my water—no fanfare, no fuss, just hydration like clockwork. I’m grateful for the checkout woman at Vons, who always has a kind word and the patience of a saint when I inevitably forget my reusable bag. I’m grateful for Francis Mallmann, who’s smoky, fire-cooked dreams have made me rethink everything I know about food. If you haven’t cooked over an open flame, by the way, you’re missing out on one of life’s great pleasures. 

I’m grateful for the Dodgers. This year, they won the World Series—finally giving my heart a reason to swell instead of break. But I’d be grateful for them even if they hadn’t. That’s the thing about love, isn’t it? It’s not about the trophies; it’s about the hope they give you, the stories they let you live, and the joy they bring, even in defeat. 

I’m grateful for our clients—the ones who put their trust in us, hand us their dreams, and ask us to build something with them. That’s no small thing. They don’t just give us work; they give us purpose. Every project, every challenge, every brand we help shape is an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to make something that matters. I’m thankful for their belief in us—and for the chance to keep proving that belief is well-placed. Without them, there wouldn’t be much to toast to, would there? 

I’m grateful for Honda Sushi, where the miso soup feels like a hug, and the sushi tastes like a celebration. And yes, I’m even grateful for the internet—where you can learn, laugh, or lose a whole afternoon watching cat videos. 

But mostly, I’m grateful for the ordinary, extraordinary beauty of it all. The little moments that make life feel big. The way strangers hold doors for each other, or how the sunset sometimes sneaks up on you, painting the sky a color you didn’t know existed. Gratitude doesn’t have to wait for a holiday. It doesn’t even need a reason. It just needs a moment. 

So, here’s to those moments—past, present, and yet to come. Here’s to clients, colleagues, friends, family, and all the small wonders in between. Welcome to the human race. Let’s try to stay thankful, every single day. 

Michael D. Dean
CEO Brand 33