Gaining
some distance from my everyday life gives me a chance to have some real
perspective on things. This year, I have had a lot to give thanks for and to
celebrate.
This year I took two vacations that I’ve wanted
to do for many years – the Alaska cruise which I wrote to you about and a trip
to Italy’s Amalfi Coast. I remember when
my mother and father came back from their trip to Amalfi, a million years
ago. My father, who loved to drive, was
so excited about the winding, narrow roads there. His face lit up when he told us about it. Now I’ve also experienced it and, it’s likely
that it’s even crazier now, given there are more cars, more big buses, more
motorcycles and scooters and more people walking on the roads that have no
sidewalks. The Italians are very aggressive drivers – and very good. As in most things in life, to survive you
just have to do what people do in their own cultures. “When in Rome, do as the Roman’s do.”
As
I think about Thanksgiving, I’m going to take the liberty of not only
mentioning some things I’m thankful for, but also grateful for – they’re pretty
much one in the same, right?
I’m
grateful for having my health. All of us
have experienced too, too many people we know and love who, no matter how young
or old, have dealt with or are currently dealing with really crummy health
matters. In our wonderful industry we’ve
seen too many of our friends and colleagues die way too soon. Each one is a wake-up call to me.
I’m
grateful for having such a wonderful family.
My son Brian, his wife Bridget and their boys, Sean (9) and Gavin
(7). My son Kevin, his wife Marissa and
their 7-year old twins, Ben and Edie.
I’m
grateful for having met so many truly nice people in my career – around the
world.
I’m grateful for all the wonderful musicians I’ve shared the stage
and studio with – playing rock and blues keyboards, singing, writing songs and
now in the process of recording my third ‘album’ – I’m a lucky guy. Mentioning the new ‘album’ – I’ve been
advised that very few people buy CD’s anymore. So, I’m going to sell the songs
individually on iTunes. After they take
their cut, 100% of the proceeds will go to Mac Angels Foundation, a
Westchester, New York - based organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life
for individuals, family members and caregivers impacted daily by ALS, by
providing the compassion, education and unique resources needed to manage the
devastating effects of this disease.
I know of Mac
Angels via my long-time friendship with Paul McEvoy, one of the true gentlemen
in the institutional real estate community.
Paul and his wife M.C. were involved in the launch of Mac Angels and
Paul currently serves as President of the organization.
I’m grateful for
the fact that I have no debt and that my life has become fairly simple – after
being complex for many years.
I’m grateful for
the working relationship that Felix / Weiner Consulting Group partner Liz
Weiner and I have developed. It’s not
easy being in business for yourself and over the past 6 years Liz and I have
become a good team and built a respectable business. Both of us are grateful for the clients and
people we’ve worked with and especially those that have hired us more than once
J
I’m grateful for
the mentors, supporters and really, really good friends I’ve had in my life and
my career. I had started listing them but was concerned I’d overlook someone so
better left unlisted…you know who you are – in some cases I wish I had listened
to them more.
In closing this
piece, I want to share with you something that I learned a few years back that
has helped me live a somewhat more peaceful and happier life:
“Whatever you do
first thing in the morning you will do all day. Be happy. Smile. Laugh. Be
grateful for all that you have.”
With
that, I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving – and hopefully long holiday weekend.
P.S.
Can you believe that there is only a little over 5 weeks left in 2018! Boy, how amazingly fast time is flying by.
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| Street in Merida |
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| Street in Merida |
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| New Restaurant in Merida |
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| Mayan Ruins, Uxmal, Mexico |
