Thanksgiving Day

I'm reading a few great books, and one of them has some effective principle based psychology (or self help). It's called LIFE'S GREATEST LESSONS and one of the imbedded virtues of the book is that it is written by a very well qualified and experienced teacher. His subject: human behaviour.

He offered his students this assignment: To go through a 24 hour period trying not to complain, and if they feel a complaint welling up, to write each one down. He says in over twenty years of teaching, and something like 70 000 students, he's only had 4 students who got through the period without feeling a need to complain.

He goes on to suggest that Gratitude/Thankfulness is the best habity to develop. This is because real enjoyment starts with an appreciative attitude, and none of the success we all dream about will ever come if we are based on our complaints for what we don't have, instead of enjoying what we've got.

So I'm going to make a public list of what seems to me to be a fairly private subject at first glance. Except when you look at it, appreciating things like health, and friends, can be pretty universal attitudes to hold.

I'm Grateful for (abbreviated):

Things:
Zipp Wheels
Cannondale
Desktop +Sharp
Heart Rate Monitor
Books
Hmm - not many more things, maybe the farm and jeep and home away from home: 108 Klerck Avenue. Always good to be back there.
Investments and money I've saved.
LIVESTRONG wristband
Grey polartec fleece hat bought in Chamonix in '97


People (not complete!):
My lovely girlfriend
Dad, Casey Junior and Candice (and the memory of my Mother who died in 1989)
Can really fill this list!
Friends in SA (Allan/Alex/Mandy/Hugo/Les/Jenny,Jo,Marcelle etc.)
Friends in Korea (Corneli/Pete/Minjung/Song/Jerry/Rowan/Valentin/Venita/Jeremy etc.)
Friends in other foreign countries (Fiona (Singapore), Mark(UK), Tammy(OZ), Paul (Greece/Cyprus)etc.)
Current colleagues and some previous colleagues.
Old friends like Daniel,Franna,Mauritz,Albert,Petru, Hannes, Ane, Sophocles, Dirk etc
New friends in SA like Jean,Ilze,Alna,Yolandi
Extended family (Buddy, Marie, Michelle, Paddy, Gary, Shannon etc)
Friends of family like Tico and Ruth
Most ex-girlfriends, but I'm grateful for all I've learned from each special experience.
New friends and acquaintances in Korea like Sun Young, Sunny, EE Sung Hee etc etc.

Other:
Health
Writing background/talent
Swimming background/talent
Triathlon
Art talent
AAA Advertising School - fun and learnt a lot, and for once loved studying and doing homework
Work at The Jupiter Drawing Room (met some amazingly creative people in an exciting and colorful environment
2 years in The United Kingdom, especially the second, and especially the time in London, the Isles of Skye, Edinburgh and Northern Ireland
Work At Mr Delivery in Gardens (which meant deliveries in Tamboerskloof, Clifton, Camps Bay, Seapoint, even occasionally in Llandudno, in Cape Town. Was a lot of fun, met a lot of people and saw a heck of a lot. Allowed me to meet CEO's, develop my big idea and actually get out and do something with an idea.
University (all 9 years, but especially the first and last!)
Awesome childhood, holidays in Transkei, waterskiing, hiking, Hout Bay, swimming...
Debt free
Spiritual Journey/Relationship with God
New Dreams and goals that are forming again

I'm also grateful for my job. Is pretty stress free, have good relations with all of my colleagues, and is very comfortable in terms of few work commitments, comparatively few working hours and decent pay.

My apartment was handpicked by me, and it's the best home I've had to date in Korea.
It's interesting, looking back at that list, how low money is on it, and also that people basically outnumber everything else at least 3 to 1. It's also important to value and appreciate oneself, and invest in oneself, recognise one's talents and gifts, in order to move those dreams and goals (on my list they are at the bottom) all the way to the top.

The writer of the book mentioned above, described this as probably the most important assignment he has ever given his students, particularly in terms of their response and insights into their own lives. He said once students did this assignment, to make a list of everything they appreciate, they entered his classroom visibly more upbeat, positive, light and smiling and open and positive towards new things. I'd like to encourage you here to do the same, right now. Grab a piece of paper and 10 minutes and think about your life.
What can be more wonderful than living each day with a powerful and clear sense of mission and purpose...