love your newsletter! I forgot how I stumbled upon it, but I learn so much from it (and glad I did). I think it was through another newsletter or book. who cares? I am here. I loved the part about gratitude and Steven Colbert. I knew he lost some of his family, but his quote brings it all home. thanks!
My wife always says that the best job in the world is being a failed public company CEO. Having worked for two that were fired and seeing the aftermath, I’d have to agree
I’m becoming much more reflective these days and your story hit spot on.
Perspective is everything.
Years ago my business coach told me (during a particularly brutal stint as a CEO) that rock bottom was solid ground. It’s true. The things I learnt have served me well. I may not have enjoyed the process but failure and strife are great teachers.
Loved the story about the NFT ducks. Still can’t get my head around that, but hey, it saved the farm!
It's a gift to exist, and with existence comes suffering. There's no escaping that.
…
[I]f you are grateful for your life … then you have to be grateful for all of it. You can't pick and choose what you're grateful for.
I completely disagree with Colbert. It's subjective and relative to your situation. The problem of suffering is mostly self and man-made. Aches and pains of growing old come with the territory.
Being grateful is a plea by the rich and funnels down in religion to keep the masses from rebelling. don't eat the rich. Colbert should go on Snow Piercer and tell them to be grateful.
Again, the pleas for this are to shut people up. No one chose to be born. In a way, its a curse. Who or what are you being grateful to?
I am just happy to explore and experience parts of life's journey in my existentialism. No need to parade around gratefulness in a masked sort of way. It's just a check in the box for those who live in a box. Your being is private matter, barring harm to others. Politics, religion, group labels, and self identifying with those are below the good mankind can do.
Within yourself, you can have it both ways. You are not a robot. You have emotions and can hate parts of existence. How you deal with it internally is a key happiness.
I often use the example of a pig's existence. It's happy in it's mud life and is ignorant to it's demise. We are not pigs and we are civilized. Life is beautiful, live accordingly.
Smiles at seat cushion. My guy’s in wheelchair - ‘right’ seat cushion must be a certain .. size, thickness, wipeable (washable?), comfort level. Minor to most, how it and he relate is huge! And I liken life to a double helix where joy and heartbreak are inextricably intertwined - yup, it’s an all or nothing deal.
Tom, Thank you for a wonderful and uplifting article today! It took me until my mid 50's to truly be grateful for everything in my life and it has really changed so much for me!
My take on gratitude is decidedly personal. I grew up in a family that felt entitlement was what life was about. I quickly learned differently (at a young age). I realized that there were ways to handling suffering, disappointment, ignorance and shame. I could continue the path that brought these on, I could rant about how unfair life was, I could ignore that anything happened, or I could see that here was an opportunity to do things differently. I choose the later and never looked back. My life has been full of change and fascination … and gratitude. I think of the holocaust survivors, Nelson Mandela, and all the people that had it worse than me and say to myself “if they can do it, so can I”. They are my heroes when life seems really terrible. Now with my clients, I can help them see life differently when everything falls apart. I let them know that they can change their mind any time. It helps having role models - but you get to choose them. So choose wisely.
Tom, I work with a company (EHOB, Inc.) who makes products (seat cushions, mattress pads, foot cushions, etc.) specifically designed to treat and prevent pressure ulcers. Send me your info and we’ll send you one. (Jim@rarebirdinc.com)
Totally enjoyed today's newsletter, as I do most days. Especially the Gratitude Matters most section. Made me rethink how I look at everyday events in my life in a more positive way and hopefully a better person/husband/father/friend.
I am thankful that Tom has joined the Understandably Team/Family.
Bill, I am not sure how you choose the people that work with you, but simply put, you ARE a genius. I was really touched and proud of Kate for her note a week or so ago. Today it is Tom. These two individuals are not only dedicated and smart, but simply amazing. To take on reading what Tom did is true dedication. To glean what he has from the stories and tell (in part) his own story is remarkable. Thank you for choosing these great people and thanks to Tom for touching every one of your readers.
“A lot of you all are my age or thereabouts, right?” My favorite line today. I’ve been thinking that about others for most of my life I guess. Pretty sure that the range of thereabouts really matters. I’m 68. Did I get in?😊
Very interesting Ed Davis
love your newsletter! I forgot how I stumbled upon it, but I learn so much from it (and glad I did). I think it was through another newsletter or book. who cares? I am here. I loved the part about gratitude and Steven Colbert. I knew he lost some of his family, but his quote brings it all home. thanks!
My wife always says that the best job in the world is being a failed public company CEO. Having worked for two that were fired and seeing the aftermath, I’d have to agree
You and your team have offered me a unique perspective on gratitude and life in general. Thank you.
Thank you for an uplifting read today.
I’m becoming much more reflective these days and your story hit spot on.
Perspective is everything.
Years ago my business coach told me (during a particularly brutal stint as a CEO) that rock bottom was solid ground. It’s true. The things I learnt have served me well. I may not have enjoyed the process but failure and strife are great teachers.
Loved the story about the NFT ducks. Still can’t get my head around that, but hey, it saved the farm!
It's a gift to exist, and with existence comes suffering. There's no escaping that.
…
[I]f you are grateful for your life … then you have to be grateful for all of it. You can't pick and choose what you're grateful for.
I completely disagree with Colbert. It's subjective and relative to your situation. The problem of suffering is mostly self and man-made. Aches and pains of growing old come with the territory.
Being grateful is a plea by the rich and funnels down in religion to keep the masses from rebelling. don't eat the rich. Colbert should go on Snow Piercer and tell them to be grateful.
Again, the pleas for this are to shut people up. No one chose to be born. In a way, its a curse. Who or what are you being grateful to?
I am just happy to explore and experience parts of life's journey in my existentialism. No need to parade around gratefulness in a masked sort of way. It's just a check in the box for those who live in a box. Your being is private matter, barring harm to others. Politics, religion, group labels, and self identifying with those are below the good mankind can do.
Within yourself, you can have it both ways. You are not a robot. You have emotions and can hate parts of existence. How you deal with it internally is a key happiness.
I often use the example of a pig's existence. It's happy in it's mud life and is ignorant to it's demise. We are not pigs and we are civilized. Life is beautiful, live accordingly.
Smiles at seat cushion. My guy’s in wheelchair - ‘right’ seat cushion must be a certain .. size, thickness, wipeable (washable?), comfort level. Minor to most, how it and he relate is huge! And I liken life to a double helix where joy and heartbreak are inextricably intertwined - yup, it’s an all or nothing deal.
And a backup seat cover for when the one needs washing
Absolutely! 🥰
Tom, Thank you for a wonderful and uplifting article today! It took me until my mid 50's to truly be grateful for everything in my life and it has really changed so much for me!
Thanks for your comments on gratitude. It has reminded my that i should count my blessings everyday
My take on gratitude is decidedly personal. I grew up in a family that felt entitlement was what life was about. I quickly learned differently (at a young age). I realized that there were ways to handling suffering, disappointment, ignorance and shame. I could continue the path that brought these on, I could rant about how unfair life was, I could ignore that anything happened, or I could see that here was an opportunity to do things differently. I choose the later and never looked back. My life has been full of change and fascination … and gratitude. I think of the holocaust survivors, Nelson Mandela, and all the people that had it worse than me and say to myself “if they can do it, so can I”. They are my heroes when life seems really terrible. Now with my clients, I can help them see life differently when everything falls apart. I let them know that they can change their mind any time. It helps having role models - but you get to choose them. So choose wisely.
Tom, I work with a company (EHOB, Inc.) who makes products (seat cushions, mattress pads, foot cushions, etc.) specifically designed to treat and prevent pressure ulcers. Send me your info and we’ll send you one. (Jim@rarebirdinc.com)
Thanks so much Jim! I emailed you direct. Fortunately the Pressure sore is healing!
Totally enjoyed today's newsletter, as I do most days. Especially the Gratitude Matters most section. Made me rethink how I look at everyday events in my life in a more positive way and hopefully a better person/husband/father/friend.
I am thankful that Tom has joined the Understandably Team/Family.
I love the newsletter. It’s smart, informative and fun. Many thanks.
Bill, I am not sure how you choose the people that work with you, but simply put, you ARE a genius. I was really touched and proud of Kate for her note a week or so ago. Today it is Tom. These two individuals are not only dedicated and smart, but simply amazing. To take on reading what Tom did is true dedication. To glean what he has from the stories and tell (in part) his own story is remarkable. Thank you for choosing these great people and thanks to Tom for touching every one of your readers.
Hey Tom, Please read this book excerpt, and see if this is an angle or story theme you'd be interested in writing about Napoleon: https://us5.campaign-archive.com/?e=661c8dd244&u=6557fc90400ccd10e100a13f4&id=950f4f9fd2
Wow thanks!
“A lot of you all are my age or thereabouts, right?” My favorite line today. I’ve been thinking that about others for most of my life I guess. Pretty sure that the range of thereabouts really matters. I’m 68. Did I get in?😊