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Thank You!

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Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. -William Ward (1921-1994), American author.

This week my reunion whirlwind continued with a trip back to my high school…a place I had not returned to in 25 years, for really no reason other than I’m just never in the area and have in the past had conflicts during prior reunions. However, a 25 year walk back in time was just too important to miss and am I ever glad I went!

I have already spoken about old friends and how important it is to reconnect and I will only say once again that taking a walk back in time completes you as you get back in touch with years that really form who you are. But at this event I was struck by a much stronger feeling of thankfulness!

To completely understand why the emotion was so strong I have to take you back in time with me. A time growing up in the city of Boston during the 1970s when racial segregation in the school system was a topic of tumultuous debate and fervor. Through the fateful decision of a Boston judge, the concept of forced busing become a reality.

In short, the concept of forced integration changed the city into a bastion of violence and protest. It was really no good for anybody. While everyone would have love to see the end of segregation, the last way to make it happen was to force it upon a bunch of kids already struggling with the challenges of growing up.

At that time my parents felt it was the right thing to move me into a private school. This decision was certainly not without massive sacrifice financially, but they stuck with it and made the investment. This continued through high school where I attended a private all boys school just outside the city…the place I once again returned to this week.

As I drove to the reunion dinner, I had the time to begin to reflect upon the opportunity that I had been given all those years ago. Now I would not say that it was lost on me back then because I was always appreciative and worked hard…I always gave my parents a solid return on investment when it came to performance. However, now with a different perspective, that of a father of five, I really began to appreciate what it takes to be selfless and sacrifice.

How many things had been given up for me to be there? How much had been lost in investment dollars to secure their own financial future? Now I’m not saying that I’m feeling guilty because there’s no need for that indebted burden. It is really as simple as pure gratitude!

You see the real problem with youth is really perspective. We just don’t have enough experience at the time to understand the real sacrifice of those that go before us and what it takes for them to give to us. Of course I’m talking about a lot more than going to a particular private school. This discussion is relevant to any sacrifice that is made on our behalf.

The truth is that we need to think about what really has been done to pave our way. What about any mentor that you have had? Think about what they went through to learn what they learned…the failures, the challenges, the heart breaks and then decided to share those stories with you so that you might avoid the same fate and expedite success.

How about all the modern conveniences of life? As I drove home from the event I went beyond my own fortunate path and thought about all the things that make life simpler…the computer, the roadway system and even the car I was driving. I know it sounds like maybe I was overreacting to an emotional night but was I really?

We are so lost in our pursuit of more that we forget what we have. We are always climbing that ladder to grab the brass ring that we forget the steps are composed of the broken back effort of our predecessors. Why not consider that we live in a great place rather than always complaining about what we don’t have…what people don’t give us…what the economy has taken away from our bank account?

Consider what it might be like to not have the opportunity to learn, the opportunity to choose what we want to do at any given moment, the chance to decide our own fate. As we speak, there are oppressed people in every part of this world that are thankful for one hour without abuse, without pain.

As I walked through the room saying hello to a bunch of guys that I had not seen in a long time I was more pleased by what I really saw and heard from all of them, but none better than the unspoken thankfulness of the opportunity we all had to be part of something very special. We had the chance to take advantage of a great learning environment and did.

I just finished reading a Brian Tracy book that posed the great question: What skill could you work on to the point of excellence that would have the greatest impact on your career and subsequently your life? I have been giving this a lot of thought and have a laundry list, but I know have a new front runner…gratitude! If I could simply focus on being grateful for everything that comes my way I could dramatically improve my life…thankful for my failures that teach me the most challenging lessons, thankful for the opportunity to control my own financial destiny, thankful for the time to spend with fascinating people and hear the stories of their life journey, but most of all thankful for the sacrifices of those who have gone unselfishly before  me and laid down on the ground to pave my way and make it easier.

There are unsung heroes everywhere around you…do you recognize them? Do you name them? Do you thank them? Really…is there anything more satisfying than being recognized for what you have done for someone else…so if that feels so good for us then why not do it for someone else?  In my case it’s an easy one this time…Mom and Dad…thanks for everything you have ever done to make my life just a little bit easier and better!

Posted by on Monday, May 18, 2009 at 1:00 am 
Filed under Monday Morning Motivation · Tagged with , , , , ,

  • http://www.theconklinteam.com Mary Conklin

    Great post, Danny! And thank YOU – for your words of wisdom, your coaching, your friendship and for just being YOU!!

  • Martha Vasquez

    After a hard day and low bank accounts my partner was driving me home. As we crossed the Sand Key Bridge the view was awesome. I mentioned how lucky we were to be living here instead of a cold gray area (we both had lived on Ohio – she was born there; I had moved from Florida). No matter how bad we have it we can go dig our toes in the sand and gaze at the Gulf or just breathe in the beauty as we travel around the area.

    I am also fortunate to have 2 groups of friends as support groups. Members of the Girl Scout Troop I belonged to get together periodically. We are there to support each other in the tough times and to celebrate the good times. Another group of high school friends gather once a quarter for lunch to catch up with each other. Life is good. Problems are temporary.

  • http://klukasrealtygroup.com Cathy Klukas

    Oh Danny,
    I think you are really on to something in your blog today. I was just talking to Dan about how fortunate we are to have fantastic coaching and mentoring for building our business. We are so greatful for all those who have gone before us & are willing to participate in our success. So, THANK YOU, Danny, I am grateful for all you give to help me succeed at my life.

  • http://www.yoursalemagent.com David Nichols

    thanks Danny

  • http://www.JeffreyWilsonRE.com Jeff Wilson

    Another great Monday starter. I think of adversity and Indoor Plumbing and gratitude when I read this. My parents did not have indoor plumbing. Growing up in the house my Father was raised in and seeing that outhouse everyday made me realize how thankful/grateful I was on those snowy nights to not have to go to the outhouse to take care of business. The bathroom was just a room added on to the back of the house. No heat, no AC, no insulation…but we did not have to go outside. It was a big sacrifice for my grandparents to finally put that system in and get it hooked up. Thank God they did. So actually it is not not a far stretch when thinking about cars, roads and the ease of things because of other’s thoughts, design, ideas, sacrifices and struggles. Great Reminder.

  • http://www.JimMessnerHomes.com Jim Messner

    Hey Danny.
    So far we really havent met, but thank you.

    In 11 days Im off to meet and be with my daughter in Malaysia. When I think of being thankful this is but one example and a place that brings it home for me. Many times we sit here in comfort while in North America (Im in Calgary Canada) and we whine and cry about what we dont have.

    We all need to sit and remember on a daily basis when times are tough what we do have. We have health care, we have food, we have vehicles, we have shelter and more. Our parents all sacrificed to make our lives a bit better and wow what would we do without our smart phones!

    On May 29th for the first time in my life I will begin to see what the majority of the real world is like. No food, no shelter or poor shelter at best, no work or income and yes some people are living the same way they did thousands of years ago through no fault of their own. They were born into poverty and we were born into the opposite.

    So as we all take the time – especially in what we call rough times (North American style) maybe while driving our fancy blue tooth enabled cars down the freeway to our next deal – think about the ones who have not. Thank the ones who gave and paved our paths before us and remember in real life its not the money, its not the technology or the strategy its survivial in its truest forms that the majority of the world worries about.

    We cant take it with us so I hope that we recognize it for what it is, share it with those who dont have it, and rememeber the true meaning of being here.

    Wow you did really make me think!!!
    Jim

  • Alan Smith

    HI Danny,

    I too am reading Brian Tracy’s book on Goals. Like you one of my goals is to be more grateful. Or as Zig Ziglar calls it an attitude of gratitude. How truly fortunate we are in this day and time. I know some people are going through very difficult times but most of us don’t have to worry where our next meal is coming from, where we are going to be sleeping, avoiding being killed as we look for water or fire wood etc. We, and I put myself in that group, have forgotten about our blessings, gifts or whatever you want to call them and complain way too much. Thanks for the reminder, friend, and thanks for ALL you and the group at CP do to make us better people and real estate professionals! Blessings…

  • Mickey Gart

    Brian Tracy says that most people have three goals in common: first, a financial and career goal; second, a family or personal relationship goal; and third, a health or a fitness goal. Think about it – the three most important areas of life. Never forget the ultimate goal – live a long, happy and healthy life . Eat That Frog is great – thanks Danny -

  • Francis Lavoie

    Danny I realy apreciate the fact that you know put the audio version !

    Thanks !

  • Julie Hummel

    On the issue of gratitude:

    After you get cancer, you go to sleep every night thanking God for your blessings and sending positive energy to other parts of the world where other people do not have it so good. I loved your Monday Morning Motivation. Gratitude. Today I am grateful for having electricity, for being able to see, for being able to use my hands, for having a roof over my head, for hot running water, and for having a coach like you. At night, I send positive energy to all the people in this world who are struggling, be it in health, employment, depression, or whatever. I just ask God, or the higher power, or the energy, to give them strength to realize that they can overcome anything and come out of whatever situation they are facing at the moment.