Every day is Thanksgiving; My Wealth is not Possession but Enjoyment, Living with a Grateful Heart

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My Thanksgiving is perpetual. It is surprising how contented one can be with nothing definite - only a sense of existence. Well, anything for variety. I am ready to try this for the next ten thousand years and exhaust it. How sweet to think of! My extremities well charred, and my intellectual part too, so that there is no danger of worm or rot for a long while. My breath is sweet to me. O how I laugh when I think of my vague, indefinite riches. No run on my bank can drain it, for my wealth is not possession but enjoyment.”

— Henry David Thoreau

I am watching the sunrise; it’s 5:30 a.m., it’s beautiful out, crisp, and calm.  I had my bi-weekly board meeting yesterday; it was good to check in with my people, everyone is doing well, business is being maintained,  we all have our COVID quirks, but everyone is surviving.

We are still figuring out how to take a 4-hour in-person meeting and convert it to a successful two separate two-hour virtual conferences. I had an idea last night I’ll share with our coach, it might make things a little smoother.

Now more than ever, you should be working on your business. There are groups out there for business owners like TAB, Vistage, and others. The peer group format is an excellent way to get input from others, not in your industry, about a different approach to view your problems or issues.

We are starting to talk about reconnecting in person. We discussed having a meeting in a large conference room where we could practice social distancing. I’m not in the meet personal camp, not because of fear, but I no longer see the value in driving an hour to a meeting. This event has made me a little selfish with my time. I eventually will return to some meetings, but I think if a group mandates my attendance, I might look for something virtual or start my own group. I no longer need to drive to work.

I like working, living, and playing on top of a mountain. I don’t see a need to leave; this is my home, my office, my virtual training playground. I think there are more like me. People that will give up travel and be more efficient. I believe a portion of society will lean into 100% virtual; I think I’ll go 90% choosing to only meet for extraordinary opportunities.

I would like to give an update on the sunrise; it’s blowing my mind as I write these words. I turn my head over my right should and am watching a daily miracle.  We have so many miracles every day they seem to be commonplace, we take them for granted, but if you stop and think about the magic in our lives, we all live a spectacular existence.

We’ve organized a big hike this Saturday with a good group of people. We have a rule, no jerks, a nod to my friend Jason Ulm from Indianapolis who had and idea and is going to change society with his 4:30 concept. I’m going to help him, but moving forward, no matter what you do, eliminate the jerks from your tribe, and life will be fantastic. We’re going to climb Stone Mountain, have a bite to eat and a beverage and then trek back down. It’s an excellent way for our friends to meet, chat, and form long-lasting relationships.

It’s funny to me this is commonplace in our community, we hike together, bike together, we are like a little commune in our business and social community. But I don’t see this happening in our Hoosier home state. No one organizes a hike though Turkey Run or Spring Mill park, maybe we can be leaders organizing group hikes mixing and matching amazing people expanding minds and gaining an appreciation for the beauty of our Hoosier state. More to follow.

My Queen is waking up. It’s about 6:00 a.m., this is her wake up time, I’m a 5:00 a.m. kid, I get an hour of power alone, thinking writing, meditating, but when she comes down the stairs, my day officially starts. I enjoy my hour of control; I’ve been going outside as the coffee pot revs up, walking around, being careful not to poke the bear, but it’s so beautiful at 5:00 a.m. as the sun begins to rise, it’s my favorite time of the day.

My body feels tight, these daily workouts with our team and our daily hikes are helping reshape my dad bod into something I can be proud of yet again. I had let myself go a little, not on purpose, just maybe getting a little lazy in my old age, but this event has reawakened my need and want of excellent health. 

I got a note from a friend yesterday; we were chatting, he said: “I love you two.”  I replied we love you more. And truth be told, we do, we love him, he is like someone from another planet, his worldly view, open mind, and curious state have placed him in our top five of all people. This has been yet another gift received from COVID. It is not uncommon for us to end a meeting with “we love you guys” or “I love you.”  Imagine your insurance agent telling you he or she loves you, that is how we roll, that is the energy we produce, we lean into love and compassion with our clients and friends.

I just got a sunset picture from my neighbor; I have the sunrise, he has the sunset, I suspect we might be sharing our space with our friends to experience both. I’ll share a photo of the sunset; he’s blessed nightly as we are blessed every morning with a natural art piece that gets better every day.

What gifts or treasures are you taking for granted? What daily happenings occur, and you just go on and not take a moment to stop and thank something bigger than yourself.  I thank God for our sunrise, our sunsets, my Queen dancing down the stairs every day, giving me some sugar, and joining me for coffee. I thank something bigger than myself for my family, my team, our business, and the opportunity to create wealth to share with others. We are so blessed, and I deem it essential to give thanks. Every day is Thanksgiving; some of us understand the concept. Others just wander around, taking life for granted.

Please wake up to the gifts in your life. There are many; the fact you were born is a miracle. The fact that you can read these words is another miracle. Your life is a series of miracles, but yet some like to bitch, moan, and complain. I see the gifts, the treasures, and I appreciate every one given. Maybe this is your wake up to have a renewed appreciation for life, love, and happiness. This soup is finished, I’ll be here tomorrow at 5:00 to whip up another batch.  

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My Thanksgiving is perpetual. It is surprising how contented one can be with nothing definite - only a sense of existence. Well, anything for variety. I am ready to try this for the next ten thousand years and exhaust it. How sweet to think of! My extremities well charred, and my intellectual part too, so that there is no danger of worm or rot for a long while. My breath is sweet to me. O how I laugh when I think of my vague, indefinite riches. No run on my bank can drain it, for my wealth is not possession but enjoyment.”

— Henry David Thoreau