Always Have The Attitude of Gratitude!
ALWAYS HAVE THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE!!!
It was just over a year ago that we had a parking lot full of happy partying people with a live Ska Band rocking us out. We were celebrating and giving thanks to our customers while fund raising for Teen Junction, a local organization under the Boys and Girls Club umbrella, which supports youth in our community.
It is amazing a year has passed and we are where we are today... I will spare you all the clichés, politics and virtue signaling of the past years events and speak to living in the NOW at our fullest.
Personally I am now starting to understand more about living in the moment and not to worry so much about the future or the past over which we have no control.
When I think back, I should have been so excited and grateful but I was miserable in my being that day. My wife (Sue O’Keefe) organized and was kicking off this massive fundraising thanksgiving event and all I could focus on was that I had hurt my back. Our goal was to throw a big block party and raise money for Teen Junction while giving thanks to our customers. Sue hired a live professional band, we had dancers, performers, a youth art auction, carnival games and many terrific sponsors including the beautiful people from our neighbourhood Starbucks both on-shift and off-shift pitching in and supporting the event.
BUT, me as I said, I missed out. I was hurt and in the wrong state of mind. I was only thinking of myself and how I should TRY and be entertaining, dressed like a clown ready to be dunked in the dunk tank…. Worried about what was being expected of me. …It was selfish thinking.
I did not take in the smiling faces, the cake walks, the teams of people enjoying each other despite the rain, working hard and making the day an outstanding event. I was not thankful or in a giving spirit. I was just trying to get through it.
It is amazing in one year what can transpire…how different things can become. How our views of everything can change. That cold rainy (partially snowy) day with over hundred smiling happy people there to enjoy luckily has been captured in photographs by the amazing Amie Roussel. Who could have known our inaugural event would be our last for a time. I am grateful now for the memory of those people and their efforts and the overall Love and giving that was displayed by our neighbourhood.
I could not have anticipated the feelings I have now, how much I would miss the freedom to put on an event and have friends and family enjoying and sharing so freely together.
Every moment is so vitally precious and my interactions with others should be cherished. It sounds horrible but I am grateful for the oppression that Covid has put on our world as it has helped me to realize I must Love these moments and give thanks for every chance to be with others and to give back wholeheartedly.
When the pandemic has passed and our world goes back to normal, I hope I am able to remember what we have been through and continue to truly give thanks for the abundance we have in our lives even when we are under restrictions. I am making a vow to myself…
I will live full and cherish the now moments. I will focus outwardly and celebrate the love and giving spirit of others.
In an effort to continue to give thanks, share what we can, as well as keep our momentum from last year (it WAS meant to be an annual event), we will be donating $1000 to Teen Junction and a $400 Education Bursary to a Teen Junction student.
We encourage you to Please reach out to Teen Junction (care of the Boys and Girls Club Okanagan) and/or others in our beautiful community with your love giving and donations during this Thanksgiving and upcoming Christmas season. There are so many ways to spread the love, the first being…get over yourself…and always always have an attitude of gratitude in the NOW.
