Being Thankful

When people ask me, “Aay, ‘ow you doin’?” (I live in NY, remember?), my unwavering answer is “Excellent!”

I guess that reply surprises some. The skeptics are suspicious: “Is he really doing excellent?” they must think to themselves. Perhaps some mistake my answer as a boast of business success or wealth: “How much does that Robert guy make anyway? Let’s go see what he’s driving!” Others might consider my personal goings-on: “Where did he just travel to?” OR “Did you get a gander at his wife?” OR “Is he sporting an Armani dress shirt?” The jealous may chide or snipe under their breath: “Pish-posh, look at him, he ain’t all that!”  

Well their assumptions would all be wrong.

“Excellent” is a response rooted in my belief of being continually thankful for my health, my life, my loving family, my opportunities, my friends, and even my failures. I delight in sunshine, a purring cat, the sound of acoustic guitar, a hot shower, Star Trek, NY pizza, moms homemade fettuccine, any red wine… good Lord, the list is long. I have so much – no, we all have so much to be thankful for. Sometimes we forget these things – especially when we’re down about something. I am unsure who coined the phrase (maybe t’was me?), “I’d rather be 6 feet over instead of 6 feet under”. Regardless of who uttered them first, these are words to live by (see what I did there?). Every day being 6 feet above ground is an EXCELLENT one. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m lucky if I’m 5 foot 10 inches, right? I say, close enough!

As I write these words, I hear the somber slow clangs of an iron church bell. Someone has died. St. Ann’s is right across the street from my office. It’s busy with funerals – at least 4 per week. Depressing? No. A stark reminder of our short existence? Absolutely. More reasons for me to mean it when I say EXCELLENT? You bet your stuffing!       

Many of you will be focusing on being Thankful tomorrow. Yes, do that. Joyously! But, don’t relegate your focus to once a year. Do it every second of every day. Be thankful for what blessings you have all the time. Especially when there is a dark cloud above or inside you... or when you hear the bell toll.

Shopping on Black Friday? Yep, maybe me too. But for those curious enough I get my dress shirts mainly at Costco. A-ha, I knew it wasn’t Armani! Probably drives an old crappy car too.

Happy Excellent Thanksgiving!