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The Thanksgiving holiday (in the USA) is 2 days from now. Being grateful is part of American historical culture. I was thinking earlier, what are 6 good reasons to be grateful whenever you can?...
#1 - God likes it
I could probably write a whole post about God and gratitude.
If you study the Bible you’ll find numerous examples. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”.
Hey if it’s good enough for God, that’s enough for me.
#2 - Gratitude is good for your health
Grateful people don’t (metaphorically or literally) kill themselves.
Being grateful for all of the things & people we want to live longer and experience more of encourages good health.
Ever hear “I want to stay healthy for my kids/grandkids”.
#3 - It makes you feel good
Ever get something unexpectedly? A work bonus perhaps or an unexpected hug from a child?
I rest my case.
#4 - Your family life will benefit
Family dynamics are particularly weird. Everybody has an interesting relative and far too many have strained family relationships because of something that happened sometime that everyone feels hurt over for decades (and most of which were quite pointless)
Being grateful for the big and little things that your spouse, your kids, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and “steps” do or did - can mean the difference between whether or not you talk for the rest of your life and what they tell posterity about you.
Appreciate your family, warts and all.
#5 - There are social/societal benefits
Regardless of where you live, we have the richest, healthiest, smartest, safest society in history.
Yet we waste a huge amount of our lives, especially the last 3 years, complaining about how we should have it even better instead of working to improve life for everyone.
Imagine the labor hours we could devote to helping people who need it that we waste on complaining about the best time in history?
#6 - There’s money in it
“Thank you,” I wrote in my email and my snail mail card. Even though I didn’t get your business I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to tell you about our products and services. My apologies that I didn’t make a more compelling presentation but you’ve inspired me to try harder in the future.”
I wrote that to several prospects over the years whose business I did NOT get. In every case, over time, I’ve gained more business from those same people that didn’t give me their business in the first place.
One business owner, in particular, wrote me to say…
(I’m in the insurance business by the way)
“I know it’s been 6 months since you wrote. I’m hoping that you will take over my group insurance and voluntary benefits next January. We had 6 agencies “bid” for our business in October and we gave it to XXX. Nobody but you, including our present broker, ever said: “thank you”. That is something we value highly.”
It’s the last ¼ of health insurance “open enrollment”2019 season and that’s my business. I’m REALLY busy, did not have time for this post and I thought of a half dozen excuses NOT to write a post today but….
I’m grateful to IBO and to be featured again today. It’s been a very good “run” with IBO. I’ve had the honor of meeting lots of people I would not have otherwise. I’ve had the privilege of learning the basics of writing stuff that people read and I’ve made a little money.
All the best and then some - Happy Thanksgiving
Bill Bateman
