In a few hours, I'm delivering a talk entitled "Thank You, Thank You Very Much" at a Sunday night service that I regularly participate in at The Coptic Center in Grand Rapids. The focus of this talk is obviously gratitude, and leading up to Thanksgiving week, it seems appropriate.
We live in a world that feels pretty upside down and uncertain at this moment, but I believe that before long the dust will begin to settle, we'll hopefully have learned some large and small lessons about how we brought about this mess, so we may steer a different course that leads to a different outcome.
Despite the disarray that's evident in our world, there is MUCH to be Thankful for, EVERY DAY.
I recently heard a sermon by Rev. Larry Farris who was a guest preacher at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids. Larry told the story of a guest lecturer when he was in seminary, a Rabbi who challenged the group to give thanks EVERY DAY for 100 BLESSINGS. He said that if you couldn't come up with 100 every day, it was likely you weren't playing quite enough attention.
Part of my talk today will include the concept of giving THANKS for 100 Blessings a Day. SO I thought I'd share 50 of mine from today in case it might cause you to think about how blessed you are.. and maybe be a catalyst for a new or renewed commitment to thankfulness in your life.
50 Blessings I'm Thankful For Today
- A beautiful sunrise, a beautiful sunset
- A good night's sleep
- Strong coffee in the morning
- My family
- The love and support of dear friends
- The long beautiful fall we've enjoyed
- The magnificent beauty of winter to come
- My limitless Universal supply
- The sight of young couples in love
- The sight of old couples in love
- The promise of someday me being part of a couple in love
- For Beethoven's 9th
- For Mozart's Requiem
- For laughter
- For tears
- For the emotional excavation that large life course changes bring
- For excruciating decisions that lead to great outcomes
- A baby's smile
- An elder's wisdom
- For abundant synchronicities
- A daughter who makes my heart swell in pride & my eyes well up in love
- A son who is following his passion and has been a great role model for me
- Uplifting books
- A well mixed vodka martini
- The view from my patio
- The angels in our path who show us the way
- Crosby Stills Nash and Young
- Broadway's "Rent"
- Singing at the top of my lungs going down the road
- Movies that make me laugh
- Movies that make me cry
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Hawks
- AHA moments
- Lake Michigan
- The joy of spending time in my own head
- The energy of this place
- Each of YOU!
- Insights
- Heartaches
- Heartbreaks
- Radiant good health
- Meditation
- Inspiring words of the Masters
- ....of Sages
- ....of Friends
- Grilled Salmon
- A peaceful heart
- Being able to share my thoughts and beliefs with you.
- There. I have spotted you 50- you come up with your 50- to make the 100.
There is certainly room in my life for more blessings, more business, more friends. But I believe that if I'm focused on the amazingly long list of blessings that I already have, I pave the way for more to slide on in easily.
Oh, I'm also thankful for the AR community and having a forum to share thoughts, insights, ideas.
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving.
Thank You, Thank You Very Much!
What are YOU thankful for?
Eric
Glad you like it. I do have fun, pretty much regardless of what I do. 
;)
;)
Can I replace number 3 with Orange Juice? Now that we have heard your presentation for tonight we are free to work on our own list.