Be Thankful For The People In Your Life

For the past few years I have used the Thanksgiving weekend as a trigger to remember those that I am thankful for in my life.

I am not sure where I got the idea, but each year I make a list of the 25 people I am most thankful are along for the ride in my journey. The list includes those who have been influential in my whole life and those that made a specific impact in the current year.  I do not publish this list, as it is not a brag sheet, but instead I use it to contemplate on those who make a difference in my world.  I then try to make sure that I let them know in some way that I appreciate their presence.

There is some poetic license uses in my list making.  I give a single slot to groups, couples and families that together contribute in some ways.  This might include the whole group of people I am actively engaged with in a business organization, or a family (husband, wife and kids, etc....) that are all part of my circle.  Yes, this means the list is bigger than 25 people, but it also allows me to think about the big picture and not worry about the numbers on the list.

My own immediate family gets individual lines, as I like to think of my wife, kids, brothers, parents, etc... with a highlight on the individual joy they bring.

With each person (or group) added to the list I contemplate the how and why I appreciate having them in my life and how they make me a better person. Some reasons are clear, some are broad, but all leave a mark in my heart.

I am thankful for the people in my life.  I know who they are, and I hope that I find ways to give back to their lives.  By taking the time to write down a list it ensures that I am not taking them for granted.

Who is special in your world?

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

What Message In A Shortcut?

I have been asked a lot about sending cards and thank you notes via online services that print the card and mail it out via the US Postal Service.

Those sending cards via these shortcuts get very excited that they are sending a personal touch in the physical world, but is it equal to a handwritten note?

Using a "short cut" is better than not sending a card.  However, the person getting the card knows when you hand wrote it yourself or used a service (even if it looks like hand writing).  Therefore, it is not equal.

I suggest we all think about the message we send when we do things part way:

 "Thank you, but not thank you enough for me to take the time to write this myself". 

Sending an email as a "thank you".... it is a good thing, but not as powerful as the real handwritten note.  I am NOT saying it is bad.... but people know the difference. The same is true of these online or mobile phone services. Too few people say "thank you" at all... so a service is a good option if you will never hand write the note..... but I say you should pen the note by hand.

What do you think?

Have A Great Day!

thom singer