Not One Thanks to Give
My (Un)Thanksgiving Ramblings
My First Gratitude Eclipse
Is it just me or does it feel easier to be thankful when everything exceeds expectations. But when things are going wrong, it seems a little more difficult to say “I’m thankful.” I once walked aimlessly through Chicago’s O’Hare airport attempting to find the gate to my connecting flight. Suddenly, I was greeted by a friend who was also traveling that day. Apparently from my lackluster response, she noticed some frustration. She then asked me, “Are you ok?” and I responded frantically “No. I’m with my parents and they are making me move back to Arkansas, even though I have some jobs leads in New York! Anyway, I have to catch this flight — I hope you have a better graduation than me!”
I’ll say it — What a brat! That exchange occurred on May 17, 2007 — only 24 hours after I graduated from Columbia University. The experience taught me a lesson that I have constantly reminded myself as an entrepreneur and advisor to founders: I can not let my ambition for tomorrow blind my gratitude for today. I had plenty to be thankful for on May 17, 2007, but I choose not to because I was so focused on May 17, 2017. As a result, on each Thanksgiving holiday I reflect on this story with the goal being more grateful for today’s blessings.
Pocket Full of Thanks
Have you ever experienced some setback (laid off, lack of funding for venture, not accepted into a school, passed up for a promotion, or some other Ivy league problem)? Did you respond to it by sharing your predicament with loved ones? Did those family members or close friends respond with sharing you one of the following images?
The Brat Changes His Perspective
During this Thanksgiving holiday, I’m sure you will read a plethora of stories encouraging you to be more grateful. There will be lists curating the “Top 10 Tools to Be More Thankful.” So I’m not going to add to that practical reading list. But I will simply let you know how that brat I mentioned earlier learned his lesson on the importance of gratitude.
Despite dreading that trip home to Little Rock in May 2007, my life changed because I had time to be introspective. I was able to reevaluate my perspective and see that I was blessed to have career options that I wasn’t aware existed in high school. With this new appreciate for the lessons I had obtained, I decided to build a vision for MERIT, an ed tech company that would eventually connect mentors to high school students on an online platform. I found that when I finally gave a thank, I became thankful I could give to the world.
Have a great Thanksgiving Holiday and let me know how you all have been able to balance your ambition and gratitude as an entrepreneur or business leader?