The Art of Gratitude

The art of gratitude knows no magnitude.

Within the last 24hrs I've been retaught the lesson of gratitude twice. On the first occasion I encountered a well off family hosting a birthday party for their 10 year old daughter. I was taken a back as to how insistent the father was with his daughters manners. Given that the family could've bought the establishment without thinking twice reminded me that money isn't everything.

On the second occasion it occurred to me how influential a coworker was in assisting me with the completion of a task. It dawned on me afterwards that I needed to say "thank you". Realizing that so many men and women are committed to not only doing their jobs but doing it effectively is humbling.

My mind pondered on how many persons go through the day without saying thank you. We all go to work to make a living but how many of us receive any sort of appreciation for the services we render. How many of us instill in our children the importance of gratitude?

It can and probably will be said that your pay cheque at the end of the week/month is all some persons need. I however beg to differ. Saying thank you to a coworker/colleague for assisting you with a task or even for just showing up for work should make that person feel appreciated.

On any given day we make phone calls to get information and to make inquiries. Do we stop to tell the other person on the other end thanks for their time and letting them know how much their assistance is appreciated ? Do we thank our teachers for caring for our children while we're at work earning said living? Do we thank the crossing guard for ensuring their safety ? The list could go on and on with each person adding their own question to the mix.

It dawned on me that I should walk through my office building and thanking everyone for coming to work today. I wondered what their response would be. Luckily I got side tracked before submitting this blog post. The delay allowed me to encounter a coworker who was leaving work early for the day. I stuck out my hand and thanked her for coming in to work today and that I appreciated the effort she put in for the day. Sure enough she was puzzled and asked why I was thanking her for coming to work. I explained that I simply wanted to say thank you.

I encourage you to attempt the same wherever your place of work may be. Feel free to leave a comment with your experience.

Taking the Bus on an island

Taking the bus

Given the rising cost of gasoline and the fact that I drive a 19 year old SUV, ever so often I take the bus to work. Mind you I so t live in a metropolitan city like New York or Toronto but rather the small island of Antigua. There's no bus schedule or time table just routes and independent drivers who own their own buses. Growing up on the island you learn the schedule by knowing the time particular drivers pass your home during the morning rush hour. So if Donald (actual name of a driver) passes your street at 7:00 am and you're not there to catch him, you know you're already late.

The actual bus ride though is something else in entirety. Firstly if you don't greet everyone with the customary "good morning " you'll be considered rude and unmannerly. Add to that equation scores of children getting off at the various schools along your route and mothers with young babies in tow. Compound that with teenagers playing dancehall music from a device at the loudest volume. And you have the unique experience that is catching the bus on an island. Not to mention. That you might be asked to hold said baby while mother helps her older child across the street. Or that you naught be the one to cross the street with said child. God forbid the driver has to stop for breakfast along the way. Regardless to say that whatever the scenario your trip will be one of a kind. The experience of rubbing shoulders with your kinfolk as they too journey to work to make a living is indeed a humbling feeling. The journey home in the evening is just as humble. You see mothers with babies strewn across their laps, construction workers nodding on the window panes as this is the first time they've truly rested since waking up at the crack of dawn. At the end of another day you ride side by side those who've kept the wheels of production turning for another day here in paradise.

30 days

30 days from now I would've crossed the stage as a graduate of Humber College. I would've achieved my life long goal of attaining a degree in Human Resources Management. So why do I feel like I haven't accomplished anything ? Truth be told I haven't really accomplished anything. In the years (6 to be exact) succeeding graduating with a BSc in Psychology I have yet to be free of the debt for pursuing that course. Now fast forward I'm more accomplished but less fulfilled. I won't rehash my money woes as that was covered in the piece "losing focus". It's a bittersweet feeling to be honest but honestly more bitter than sweet. So though I will once again cross the stage as a graduate, I am still humbly a student of life. The lessons that we fail to learn are learnt the hard way.

Losing Focus

A lot can happen when you lose focus. 10 years ago I was focused, I was gonna go to university get a degree come home get a job pay it back in 5 years and then move to Canada. I did move back home, I did get a job, I did move to Canada but I didn't pay back my student loans. Why? Because I lost focus. My first year was quiet. I went to church I joined the master guides, I went camping, youth retreats, blitz, I did all of it. But in my second year I lost focus. I figured that since I was getting good grades and had money to spend (banks money) that I could afford to drink, party, and just have a good time. By God's grace I graduated with honors and came home. At first I was working at the bank again but I knew that wasn't my final destination. I became a probation officer and learnt the ins and outs of the justice system. I was making ten times the amount I was making at my first job as a tour guide and I was on cloud 10. I thought the world was at my feet. My master plan was to as I said before was to pay off my debt and move to Canada but I never wrote I down, I never made an action plan I never truly committed to my plan and there in laid my demise. Once girls entered the equation that was it. One girl in particular who was my main inspiration for moving to Canada came into my life but the timing wasn't right. What should've been a moment in time turned out to be a season of hurt. Mainly because I was still hurting. So as much as the pipe dream was alive, I lacked the fortitude to realize that long term I had nothing to offer simply because I hadn't planned what was gonna really take place after I go there. The lesson I'm learning now is that planning and execution are more important than having dreams. Anyone can have dreams but not everyone can achieve them. For me I have achieved some while failing at others. At age 30 I have a bachelors degree in psychology and a post graduate diploma in Human Resources Management as well as a certified human resources professional. But with all that I have moments where I feel like a failure for racking up credit card debt and student loans that could've been repaid by now. Now at age 30 I'm starting over again. The next 10 years of my life will definitely be interesting as I try to figure out where to go from here. My advice to anyone trying to accomplish anything is to stay focused. Distractions are gonna come and they're going to be lots of them but remain focus. Write your goals down and plan to execute them one phase at a time. You might be the odd one out not going out on a Saturday night with your friends but trust me when I say it'll be worth it. Your long term pay off will be much greater than anything short lived, trust me I've been there. A lot can happen when you lose focus but great things can happen once you achieve it.

Thank God Its Sunday

Dr. Eric Thomas has a feature video on his website every Monday entitled Thank God Its Monday. I'm guessing its because most people dread Mondays and need that extra push to get them through the day in a positive way. After listening to a few of his videos and listening a few interviews he has done, I can identify with what he's been saying about passion and trusting the process. This morning I woke up bursting with energy, my heart was going 1,000 miles an hour and my mind going 10,000 miles an hour. I just want to live, but I want to do it in the best way possible, surrounded by the best people possible for as long as possible. So today I am thanking God that it is Sunday. The day before Monday where I can get my thoughts together and plan for the week ahead. So to everyone who needs that push, that extra bit of encouragement that extra drop of greatness, I advise you to look within. To dig deep down inside and find what it is that you're really searching for and who it is that you really are. It won't be easy but like E.T. said, you have to "trust the process". If you need more inspiration/insight/information check out ET's website http://etinspires.com/ I'm sure you'll find something there to help you get out of whatever situation you may currently be in.