I AM THANKFUL!

I AM THANKFUL!

On this past Sunday, a special holiday for so many in the world, it seemed appropriate to exclaim – GIVE THANKS! It also begs the question – what are you thankful for? The act of being a “thankful”, and an appreciative person can be an especially effective means to improving the quality of one’s life, and business. It is very much like positive attitude in that too much of it is actually a good thing.

For business professionals, the act of being thankful is one of humility, for it shows that you are acknowledging the efforts others, or other beings, and the contributions they’ve made to you and to your business and/or life status. In this article, I’ll show you just how powerful it is, to GIVE THANKS!

I am thankful – TO MY PARENTS

What an amazing example they set for me in life. Unconditionally charting a course of love with a selflessness that borders on overwhelming. I am full of hope, joy, love, optimism, concern, compassion, courage, reverence, respect, charity, and kindness. This is because of my parents showing me all of these things all of my life.

I am thankful- FOR MY HEALTH

Without a healthy mind and body, we as human beings, have nothing. We cannot make a difference if we are constantly fighting to find balance, or to merely stay alive. Although you could argue that life is a fight every day, some of us are blessed with emotional balance, physical strength, intellectual capacity, and a strong genetic disposition. I am one of those fortunate few who have enjoyed a very healthy life, and I am thankful.

I am thankful – FOR MY OPPORTUNITIES

Someone once said “luck is what happens when preparedness and opportunity meet”, and they were right! Over the course of the past twenty-nine years I have enjoyed the good fortune of being in position for preparedness and opportunity to meet. I’ve had the opportunity to play sports at the championship level. I have showcased my theatrical and vocal talents. I led my college as the chair of activities and as a student senator. I was recruited, transferred and attended an ivy-league caliber university, on my own dime. I accepted a position with a Fortune 500 company during a recession, which relocated me to Miami. I have lived in several great states, including: Minnesota, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina and Indiana. I founded a business network which today is the largest of its kind in my area. I accepted a position which I created to transform the traditional law firm and it worked. I have married (and divorced) successfully and without tragedy. I was invited and am near completion on my Master’s Degree at a top-10 U.S. university. Take a look at your opportunities, to find where you’ve been fortunate, if not downright lucky!

I am thankful – FOR MY RELATIONSHIPS

As I look at my life, I can see a pattern of longevity with those people close (and closest) to me which I believe has been a key to my personal and business success. I am not talking about your social media relationships. I am talking about those people in business and life with whom you have a five-year or more history. Business and personal relationships take dedication, commitment, communication and hard work; and yet, when you do the work in your relationships from a place of integrity, everything is possible. My best friendships span 25, 26 and 27 years respectively. Tessa, Dave and Bill know me. These old friends are like the gold you keep secure, as they are in investment. These new friends like Jeff, Adam, Allan, Drew, and Jessica are like silver, for they too know me, yet they are appreciating in value. These are but a few of the names who know my life, my family, my stories, my journey, my faith, my successes, my failures, and this is to say – they know me. So who knows you? I am thankful for my relationships.

I am thankful – TO AND FOR MY COMMUNITY

Have you ever stopped and taken more than a moment to look around at your surroundings? What you will see are buildings, streets, parks, bridges, museums, schools, universities, roadways, airports, beaches, or even monuments. These are often named after prominent, historical, meaningful, and valuable persons. Some are celebrities, former Presidents, community activists, titans of business, or unsung heroes in your city or town, all of whom have one thing in common: they made a difference to someone or something with their life. As a result of the difference these people made, we all enjoy a better life, and can thus be thankful both “to” and “for” our community.


I am thankful – TO YOU

If you are reading this blog, it means that we have a relationship. It is likely that we have worked together, and over time, whether as friends, colleagues, associates, or perhaps as family members. We have invested the time and effort to get to know each other, trust each other, and to support each other. This is how relationships are built, and sustained. It is for that reason I can say that I am thankful to you.

I Dare You!

"I Dare You!" is the perfect starting point for my blog efforts in 2012.

We have all heard "I Dare You!" from someone at sometime in our lives. It was most likely someone who cared enough about you to encourage you to do something, such as something new, perhaps something a bit risky, or even something dangerous. The point was to get you first to read the blog, and then to act. I Dare You to read on!

"I Dare You!" is a little-known book, written by William H. Danforth (1870-1956) which was a gift to me from a successful man that I hardly knew. He was the Founder of a vibrant business that helped me to earn my way through college. Prior to graduation, I was advised to sit with him for a cup of coffee, and I did. I shared my plans for getting a job, with no Google, no internet, and an economy in recession. Whatever I said, he reached into his desk drawer, and pulled out a copy of the book. I can only assume that he saw something in me, and felt this book would inspire me to act, so he gave it to me and asked only the I read it. So, I did! Below please find the Author's Preface:

"I Dare You" is for the daring few who are headed somewhere. Those afraid to Dare might as well pass it up. It will weary the lazy because it calls for immediate action. It will bore the sophisticated, and amuse the skeptics. It will antagonize others. Some will not even know what it is all about. It will not be over-popular because it calls for courage, swift and daring. But in the eyes of you, one of the priceless few, I trust will come a renewal of purpose as you read on. You can be a bigger person than you are, and I am going to prove it to you." - W.D.

In 1998, I read "I Dare You!" for a second time. It inspired me, reminded me that I could be bigger than I was, and so I accepted a new dare. BNI was thus born in Miami-Dade on October 21st, 1998. I can't say for certain that this book was the sole reason that I started BNI with BNI Coral Gables; however, I can say that it contributed to my effort for without the concepts of this book, I may not have taken the steps necessary to endeavor to become a bigger person than I was at that time.

So now what?

I DARE YOU....

- to change something about your life, yourself, your business or all three!
- to educate yourself on a topic of life or business importance!
- to debate someone about advantages/disadvantages of the status quo!
- to invest in someone deserving of your time, experience, or
- to explore your community!
- to develop and execute a new business development strategy!
- to serve your customer in a world-class way!
- to develop your people as if your business depended upon it (b/t/w, it does!)
- to care more about others!
- to give more to charitable organizations!
- to donate your time to someone or some organization in need!
- to solve your most challenging life or business circumstance this week!
- to learn a new skill!
- to form a new hobby!
- to start a blog!
- to post on Facebook!
- to write your U.S. Congressman/woman or U.S. Senator!
- to start a non-profit organization to serve the underserved!
- to get involved in the upcoming election!

I DARE YOU to accept the dare, to confront something boldly, and to enjoy your life more as a result!