ThanksLIVING…

My mentor, the late Grady Nutt, wrote a chapter in a book of verse called, “ThanksLiving.” I have always loved that play on a phrase. In other words, it shouldn’t just be about giving thanks — it should be about living thankfully.

Grady described “thanksliving” in part as: “An attitude that finds treasure in the plowed field of routine.”

Isn’t it interesting that we primarily express our gratitude for the big things in life — our family, our friends, our career success.

Seldom do we announce our appreciation for the “plowed field of routine” in our lives…even though that’s where we spend the vast majority of our time.

Here in the United States, the coming week brings our annual Thanksgiving holiday. Even when our nation is so politically divided as it is today, we will still stop to express our blessings. (As we should…)

Yet, every year at this time I’m also reminded of the wisdom of my dear, departed friend who was the Obi-Wan-sage to my young, ambitious Skywalker-speaker of long ago. Grady often remarked that I should slow down and enjoy the journey to success.

If you miss the small stuff in life, he used to remind me, the big stuff will not have the meaning that it should.