“I thank you for your…”

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Barry

“I thank you for your part in my journey.”

-Author Unknown

Image from xoombi.com

The words “Thank You” are magical. They have brought more joy, happiness, satisfaction, and smiles to the world than most of us can imagine. In my youth, our parents, teachers, and community influencers taught us to say “please” and “thank you.”

Over the last decade or so, I’ve noticed these daily courtesies diminishing – perhaps due to the increasing pace of life. Many of us are increasingly overwhelmed by the demands and stresses to keep up or stay ahead. We often rationalize that we simply “don’t have the time.”

EXERCISE:

What is the cost to you and those around you when we don’t offer and receive quite as many “thank you’s” throughout the day as we used to?

What benefit would you see if you made it your job today to offer your most heartfelt “thank you’s” and gratitude to those who have helped you on your journey?

Thanksgiving from Barry Demp

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Barry

TQC Thanksgiving-01

Dear Friends:

Thanksgiving, to me, is more than a holiday, a great meal, and big football games.

Thanks-Giving—gratitude—is a way of life, a discipline and for many, a spiritual practice.

Today I give thanks for all of you—my friends, followers, clients, and colleagues. Each of you have enriched my life by allowing me into your mind, your heart, or your world.

May this Thanks-Giving bring you laughter, love, and thanks for all that you have and all that comes to you over the next year.

Gratefully,

Barry Demp

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like…”

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Barry

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

— William Arthur Ward, one of America’s most quoted writers

Photo from Flickr by Steven Depolo

Six or seven years ago the economy in Michigan and the U.S. hit a rough patch. Most people were tightening their belts and cutting back on unessential expenditures.

That year, my wife Wendy and I agreed that we would take the vacation we both desired, and consider the trip the only holiday gift we would give each other.

When the holidays arrived, I was shocked and upset to find a pile of presents in front of our fireplace. Before I could utter a word, Wendy said: “Calm down. I know you think I’ve broken my promise. Before you say anything, please open one of the gifts.”

To my surprise, she had boxed and wrapped many of my favorite things from around the house — my favorite book, a special tie, my most comfortable sweater — because she wanted to express her love and gratitude to me by surprising me with gifts to unwrap.

EXERCISE:

What new and creative ways can you find to express your gratitude this Thanksgiving, and throughout this holiday season?

“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure…”

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Barry

“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.”

– Mary Jean Irion, Pennsylvania Teacher and Writer

Photo from Flickr by Jan

Have you ever sat in front of your TV, eating chips or another favorite snack, only to find your fingers at the bottom of an empty bag, searching for more, and wondering how you could have possibly eaten your way through all those treats?

Just like food we consume mindlessly, our days, months, and years sometimes fly by unnoticed, because we think there’s plenty more “in the bag,” or simply because we do not cherish each moment as a precious gift.

EXERCISE:

If you knew your days were numbered (which they are) how would you spend this “normal day”?

“The gratification comes in the doing, not in the result.”

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Barry

“The gratification comes in the doing, not in the result.”

– James Dean, actor

A coaching colleague, Michael Bungay Stanier, is a remarkable guy. He has built a fantastic company, Box of Crayons, and has written a number of outstanding books. Among them is one called Do More Great Work.

I find it interesting that this title emphasizes the act of doing, which comprises the vast majority of the time we spend engaged in our daily efforts, versus simply reaching the top of some professional summit or finish line, about to take a short-lived victory lap.

Exercise:

Please visit Michael’s website at boxofcrayons.biz and purchase his wonderful book and other resources to help you find your own gratification through doing more great work.

“When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted, or take them with gratitude.”

Posted on October 7, 2013 by Barry

“When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted, or take them with gratitude.”

– G.K. Chesterton, novelist

Since my mother Rose passed away 18 months ago, we have had the great privilege to have my father Marvin living with us. I must admit I was a bit concerned how it would change our lives, since not too long ago, Wendy and I became empty nesters.

At the age of 87, my father does not move as fast, and this has caused me to become far more aware of and self-reflective about my own life. I am pleased to say that with his wisdom and influence, I am taking far more things with gratitude than for granted.

Exercise:

Use today to slow down to half speed and look around at all the wonderful things that make up your life.

Go out of your way to thank those who are on this journey with you and consider sharing your insights about this exercise.

“Behind every able man, there are always other able men.”

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Barry

“Behind every able man, there are always other able men.”

– Chinese Proverb

Whether you read the acknowledgements section of a book, observe an acceptance speech, or observe someone who looks back on a life well lived, one thing is clear: no one accomplishes anything great alone.

Who are the family members, mentors, colleagues, coaches, advisors, etc who have assisted you along the way?

Exercise:

How clear are these people about the difference they have made in your life?

Which of these people might you want to acknowledge today?

Of these people, who would put you on their list?

#70: “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more…”

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Barry

“…If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

– Oprah Winfrey

I watched the final three episodes of Oprah’s 25 years on television – and remembered how big an impact she has had on so many people. Her mantra has always been “live your best life” – and she always provided programming to help people do just that.

This quote, however, indicates the importance of accepting and being grateful for all of our blessings. It points to the current abundance in our worlds and in our lives, and shows how being thankful seems to attract even more good things.

Exercise:

Create a list of all the things in your life that you are thankful for, and keep asking yourself “what else?”

I hope you get writer’s cramp! 🙂

Quotes are posted on The Quotable Coach a week after being sent out by email. To get the latest quotes straight to your inbox, pop your details in the sidebar to the right.

#43: “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life…”

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Barry

“…It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

– Melody Beattie, self-help author

This quote seems to stand on its own. Answer these two open-ended questions and complete the exercise to explore its depths.

How can you shift your desire for more to being thankful with what you have?

How can you stop resisting the life that is before you, and allow and accept what is?

Exercise:

Make a list of all the things, people, and blessings you can be grateful for.

Please add the sheer blessing of being alive to your list – for without this, you would not be doing the exercise!

Quotes are posted on The Quotable Coach a week after being sent out by email. To get the latest quotes straight to your inbox, pop your details in the sidebar to the right.

“I thank you for your part in my journey.”

-Author Unknown

EXERCISE:

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

— William Arthur Ward, one of America’s most quoted writers

EXERCISE:

“If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.”

— W. Clement Stone, businessman, philanthropist and self-help book author

EXERCISE:

“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.”

– Mary Jean Irion, Pennsylvania Teacher and Writer

EXERCISE:

“The gratification comes in the doing, not in the result.”

– James Dean, actor

Exercise:

“When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted, or take them with gratitude.”

– G.K. Chesterton, novelist

Exercise:

“Behind every able man, there are always other able men.”

– Chinese Proverb

Exercise:

“…If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

– Oprah Winfrey

Exercise:

“…It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

– Melody Beattie, self-help author

Exercise: