A Day of Thanks

Every year, I offer my reasons to be thankful. Obviously, I’m not the only one to do so, but I think it’s important to take the time to really think about all the great things in my life. And while I begin and end every day with a prayer of gratitude, Thanksgiving is a day when I spend considerable time thinking about how truly lucky I am.

So, without further ado, here is a list of my most important reasons to give thanks:

I am thankful for everyone who is helping me complete my new CD, The View From Here. First and foremost among them is Polo Jones, one of my best friends and an amazing producer. Working with Polo is like working with a better, smarter version of myself. Not only is he an outstanding bass player, he really understands my music and the emotion that drives it. Every song we’re recording is better because of his input, and he is pushing me to produce the best performances – both on bass and as a vocalist – that I have ever turned in. I am very fortunate that he is overseeing the project. In addition, the musicians working with me are among the best I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Each of them puts their own individual mark on everything they do, and they are adding some excellent flavors to the project. I can’t believe how well each of them fits into the whole, and I’m grateful for each and every one of them.

I am thankful for my entire management team. Polo has been in this business a long time and he knows a lot of successful and talented people. It’s all well and good to create an excellent CD, but without a team to help promote it, get the band together, set up tours and personal appearances and a long list of other activities, that great CD won’t be heard by many people. We have the core of the team together, and we’re talking with several more who are interested in coming on board. Once we start setting up the tour, I have a handful of good friends who have volunteered to be a part of the technical team we’ll need. I couldn’t be happier with the team we are building, and I look forward to touring the US (and possibly elsewhere) in 2013.

I am thankful that I continue to work with Larry Spears. The world’s foremost living authority on servant-leadership, Larry is the founder of the Spears Center for Servant-Leadership, and my most important mentor in my business career. I’ve known Larry for over ten years, and have been a member of his board of trustees for about three. I have also had the good fortune to be included in two of his books: The Spirit of Servant-Leadership, which was published in March, 2011, and the upcoming Fortuitous Encounters, which will release soon. Larry has been an excellent guide as I continue to learn about servant-leadership and its benefits to society. I look forward to continuing to write with him in the years to come.

I am thankful that my mother’s passing was peaceful, and that she is now laid to rest with my father in Arlington Cemetery. I am also extremely thankful that I was able to spend time with her before she passed. I’m the traveler of my family and haven’t spent much time over the past thirty years near my family. So to have had that time with my mother at the beginning of the year was a blessing for which I will always be grateful.

I am thankful that I have a nice home, filled with good furniture and furnishings, especially in the kitchen where I spend so much time. After a few years of living with the barest necessities, leaving most of my belongings in storage, it’s great to live like a normal person again. I’m a very lucky to be so comfortable, when so many are struggling. And I’m very lucky to be able to cook again, because I find it so relaxing and restorative.

I am thankful that I have so many good, close friends. Even though many if not most of my relationships are of the long distance variety, I still get to talk to my friends on a regular basis, and they have always been a major part of my life. They are all especially important right now, because I’ve once again relocated – this time to the opposite side of the country. I’m truly thankful that, as I make new friends in this new area, I have dozens of good friends I can still call.

I am thankful that God continues to guide me. I am even more thankful that I seem to be learning at least some of the lessons!

I am thankful that I have been given many opportunities to serve others. I believe that we find our greatest fulfillment in our service, and have always striven to recognize the potential for service in everything I do. As I settle into my new home, I am finding new ways to be of service.

I am thankful that I was able to attend my niece’s wedding, and that it was such a wonderful affair. It was wonderful to see my family again, and to meet my new in-laws, all of whom are great people.

I am thankful for my life. And I am thankful that I have a calling that I truly love. I am blessed to be able to earn my living doing things that I love to do, and that are so fulfilling.

There are other things for which I am exceedingly thankful, but for now, they will remain private. I know that I often share too much information, and I’m working on that, which is why I’m going to keep a few things to myself. (smile) Suffice to say that I know how lucky I am, and I make sure God knows every day how much I appreciate everything I have been given.

Finally, I am – and will always be – eternally grateful that God did not give up on me… that even though I continue to stumble and make mistakes, God saw fit this year to bless me with the greatest gifts I have ever received. And I have done my best to honor those gifts in Trust, and Faith, and Truth. May it always be so!

God Bless,

Lane

PS – I’d love to know what you are thankful for, so please leave me a comment and tell me!