Still Thankful – Not Just One Day a Year

Anyone who writes a blog that comes out on Thursdays surely put it on auto-pilot last week and cranked out the easy, predictable “things I’m thankful for” essay.  After all, that was Thanksgiving Day here in the United States.

A colleague of mine posted on Facebook the next afternoon, surprised at how many people had quickly gone back to work and forgotten all about what had just transpired the day before.  He was saying that he was leveraging the holiday to have a rare four-day weekend with his family and enjoy all that he’d just given thanks for one day earlier.

This whole mindset isn’t unlike goal setting.  That activity usually reaches its peak as a new calendar year starts.  Although businesses set targets, individuals use the ‘resolution’ label for personal plateaus they want to reach.  Sadly, three months later they probably can’t even tell you what they’d set as their aim.

Now that it’s Monday, can you remember what you gave thanks for last Thursday?  When might be the next time you stop to take such an inventory so as to assess all that you’re grateful for?

What about the last gig you played?  Or the next one you have booked?  Or the last song you wrote?  Or your singing voice?  Or the talent you have for playing an instrument?  These are all (easy) examples of opportunities to pause and say, “Okay, maybe I’m not where I want to be in my career yet, but, I sure am fortunate to be at this point.”

Have you released a single, an EP, or a full-length album?  That in itself is something to be thankful for.  There are lots of hobbyists who would love to have something recorded.  Take out your EP or your CD, or if you’ve released digitally, look up on iTunes and see your name on there.  These are great accomplishments.

Did someone ask you to sit in on their gig?  Or play on their record?  These are big compliments that should not be ignored.

Maybe someone made an introduction to an individual that has become a key part of your ongoing development.  Perhaps you got a service provided for free because (a) your music impresses someone enough and/or (b) they wanted the experience.  The theme here, of course, is being thankful.

Certainly you say, “Thank you” when someone drops a donation in your tip jar.  You also say it when people applaud after your songs.  I hope and assume that you mean it and aren’t just saying it.  Be sincere, be consistent, and be observant.  The list goes on where you can and should be thankful.  Don’t wait for there to be a Hallmark card occasion.  Don’t miss out on the chance to let someone know that you are grateful for whatever they’ve done for your music career, whether it’s booking you to perform, buying your music, helping you tear down after a show, or whatever other gesture has put you in a posture of gratitude.  Remember, it’s not just for the last Thursday in November.