EvenMORE For You

Be Thankful

By: Danny Gutknecht
As Thanksgiving approaches, it's an ideal time to delve into the concept of Gratitude and its transformative effects on our personal lives and work environments.

More than saying "thank you," Gratitude is a positive emotion that booms when others recognize the goodness in our lives. This heartfelt appreciation deepens our relationships and boosts confidence, fostering connections with friends, family, and colleagues.

However, Gratitude must be genuine. Forced or inauthentic Gratitude can diminish or reverse its effectiveness and impact (think toxic positivity).

Gratitude at Work

The power of Gratitude extends into the workplace, too. Research indicates that people who feel valued and appreciated report better physical and mental health. They exhibit higher levels of engagement, satisfaction, and motivation. When Gratitude is part of the work culture, it enhances well-being and creates a more positive and productive environment. In fact, delivering Hospice care could be seen as a gift of Gratitude to Patients and families.

How does Gratitude work?

Gratitude isn't random; it's a structured feeling reflecting one aspect of our Meaning. When we look a little closer at our own experiences of receiving Gratitude, we can see through others' eyes what elements of ourselves we value within ourselves.

Gratitude has a structure. Gratitude is an expression of Meaning. If we are to give the gift of Gratitude to others in our lives, it helps to understand how Gratitude works for ourselves, experientially and emotionally.

Exploring Gratitude

Here's a Practice that uses a modified version of the Essence Mining Method; it works, try it!

1. Get a Personal Story of Gratitude: Focus on a story when you've received or been a witness of Gratitude. It may feel selfish or awkward, but getting a straightforward narrative.
2. Analyze your story: How did you feel before, during, and after the experience of receiving Gratitude? Write down why the appreciation carried emotional resonance. Why is it embedded in your memory?
3. What is the theme running through your story? A Theme is the underlying message, idea, or insight that the story conveys. The act embeds us in the context of serving something outside of ourselves while reinforcing the act of doing something that matters to ourselves.
4. Put it to work: Practice this thrice a week for 15 minutes, looking at the story differently each time. You'll likely find different themes. Share them with others you are close to or trust, and feel free to explore others' stories of Gratitude.

A Gratitude practice can be a powerful way to dip your toe into one aspect of your journey of Meaning, thereby cultivating it for a more prosperous existence.

Want to share your Gratitude practice? I'd love to hear it!

Click here or use the form below:

Making the Most of Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment will be held November 27-December 8^th. You will receive several email communications about this. Please be sure to open and read them so you don’t miss any key information.

Open Enrollment is a crucial period for individuals and employees to optimize their benefits package and make informed decisions about their healthcare, insurance, and financial well-being. When preparing for Open Enrollment, assess your current needs and anticipate any changes in your life, such as family additions or health considerations, to tailor your choices accordingly.

To better understand your options, visit www.mycrossroadsbenefits.com for short videos that explain each benefit. On this site, you can also schedule an appointment with our Benefits Concierge to discuss your personal situation and map out the best plan.

2024 Benefits Highlights

• No change to health insurance premiums.
• Free generic prescriptions for those on our health plan.
• Delta Dental is now free for all employees.
• The Assist Group will replace Nomi Health for free and low-cost lab work, imaging, and colonoscopies.

HSA/FSA Elections

If you participate in the Health Savings Account, this must be re-elected every year by calling American Trustee.

If you are using the Flex Spending Account (FSA), you must re-elect this every year by going to www.pbaclaims.com and setting a new contribution amount.

Note: FSA funds for 2023 must be used by the end of the year. If you have leftover funds, consider spending that money before December 31^st on FSA-approved items like:

• Eyeglasses and contact lenses
• Dental treatments
• First aid supplies
• Over-the-counter medications (like Tylenol, Claritin, Flonase)
• Menstrual care products
• Sunscreen
• Breast pump and/or supplies

MyBenefitsWork

The MyBenefitsWork app connects you to all your free benefits including Teledoc, Tealdoc Mental Health, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Financial Coaching. These benefits are provided at no cost to you, your spouse, and your dependent children. However, you MUST login to MyBenefitsWork and add your spouse and children for them to have access. Don’t wait until they need to use it. Login and enroll them today! If you need a replacement card to enroll or have any questions, please call 1-800-800-7616.

401(k) Plan

Crossroads matches 25% of your 401(k) contributions on the first 5% of your annual salary. Open Enrollment is a great time to review your retirement savings. If you are not a part of the plan, you can enroll. If you are already part of the plan, you can change your contribution amounts and use the Goal Manager to review your investment options.

Questions about the 401(k) plan or rolling over an outside plan can be directed to our Merrill Lynch rep Bo Connor by email at robert_connor@ml.com or by phone at 918-586-8047.

By actively engaging in the open enrollment process, you can maximize the value of your benefits, enhance your financial security, and contribute to your overall well-being. Keep an eye out for additional information from your HR Rep.

We’re Thankful for You

As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each member of our Crossroads team. This year has been filled with both professional and personal challenges for each of us, and we are continually inspired by the resilience, creativity, and hard work demonstrated by each one of you. Your dedication to our shared mission has been the driving force behind our successes, and we are deeply appreciative of the positive energy and commitment you bring every day.

Crossroads was started in Oklahoma in 1995 as a small, family-owned hospice care provider with a mission to make hospice care better. Over the past 28 years, Crossroads has grown to 11 locations in 7 states, but that mission remains the same. Your contributions, big and small, have played a crucial role in our team's growth and accomplishments.

We are known for spending more time with our patients than the national average. We are also known for the programs that have set Crossroads apart from other hospice care like our Watch Program and Evenmore Care. Thanks to these two programs, our attended death rate is 76.47% compared to the national average of 22.5%. It’s your commitment and compassion that allows us to keep staff at the bedside, so no one has to die alone.

Unique programs like Gift of a Day, Grief Recovery Groups, Life Journals, and our Veteran Recognition Program – including the new Challenge Coin – also set us apart from the rest. We are able to offer these programs because of your support for them!

This Thanksgiving, we want to extend a special appreciation to those of you who will be working during the holiday. Your sacrifice and dedication to ensuring that our patients receive the care they need, even on holidays, is truly commendable. Your willingness to be a source of comfort and strength for others during this time is a testament to the extraordinary individuals that make up our team. Thank you for embodying the spirit of compassion!

To those taking a well-deserved break on this day of gratitude, we also want to express our heartfelt thanks for your tireless efforts throughout the year. Each one of you plays a crucial role in creating a supportive and caring environment for our patients and their families.

We wish you all a Thanksgiving filled with warmth, gratitude, and moments of reflection on the profound impact you make in the lives of others. Thank you for all you do!