If you were expecting content about nonprofit software, I am sorry to disappoint. This week is for phoning it in at work while crafting the perfect sentence that will change your family members once and for all.

My only gripe with Christmas time is that it steals the end of fall. Winter doesn’t start until December 21st! Everyone spends the last half of fall dreaming about a white Christmas when we should be listening to Thanksgiving bangers and eating nutmeg ginger apple snaps.

Alas, this is the world we live in. One man can only do so much.

Since fall essentially ends on Thanksgiving, tomorrow is your last day to watch an all-time fall classic:

The Fantastic Mr. Fox.

George Clooney, Meryl Streep, and Bill Murray grace the cast list which is reason enough to watch it.

My favorite scene happens in the first few minutes. The family (of foxes) is getting ready for the day. In true Wes Anderson fashion, they’re impeccably styled. Mr Fox is reading the newspaper, Ash is complaining about getting dressed for school, and Felicity is buzzing around the kitchen preparing breakfast.

They seem like a classic American family.

As Felicity places French Toast on Mr. Fox’s plate, he kisses her hand and says:

I’m seven non-fox-years old now. My father died at seven and a half. I don’t want to live in a hole anymore, and I’m going to do something about it.

He turns on some music and then savagely but neatly* devours the French Toast while making horrible growling noises. It's clever and funny.

*That's the actual description from the script and I love it so much.

Are we still wild?

The movie raises questions people ask as they grow older.

Does building a family domesticate us?

Does security make us soft?

The movie is about a mid-life crisis. Instead of getting a motorcycle, Mr. Fox returns to his youth by stealing chickens, geese, and squabs. He's a fox, after all.

This comes at great risk to his wife and son (and the entire community.)

Mr. Fox (like us) must answer the question:

What does it mean to be wild?

As you spend time with your family this week, follow your mammalian instincts.

• Tear into the carcass of a turkey.
• Forage if you are a vegan. (Or tear into the sides.)
• Nurture your young.
• Go outside, place your hands on your hips, and breathe in the air while you wonder what type of winter we're in for. (Only fathers do this.)

Whatever you do, don't forget that you're a wild animal.

I hope you have a lovely time with your family and friends.

Savor the moment, take deep breaths, and go outside.

Don't let all the money you spent on therapy go to waste.

Remember your training.

See you next week!

Ted

PS

The Raise More Together collective has put together an incredible collection of resources, templates, and tools for nonprofits. The bundle is valued at $4,300, but they are essentially giving it away for free ($97) on Black Friday. I purchased the package for myself and will buy it for your nonprofit if you are interested. Just reply to this email, and I'll hook you up.