Tag: gratitude

Thanksgiving, what is it?

Posted on by philipdodson

Today in the US is Thanksgiving day.

Not something we celebrate here in the UK anymore although it has its origins in religious days that date back to before the reformation in the 1500’s.

I’ve no idea what it is, only what I’ve seen in films and heard others talk about.

Perhaps it’s like Christmas, no longer related to religion, well except for the religion of over-consumption of food and stuff we don’t need.

Maybe it could be a simple day of coming together to express gratitude and to make real connection with people who matter.

Then why would you do that just once a year?

I’m grateful for all that I have, for life I’ve had and whatever else comes my way, as whatever that is a bonus.

Happy Thanksgiving each and every day.

51

Posted on by philipdodson

So last week I turned 51 years old, yeah I know I don’t look that old.

51 is like any age just a number, yet it is a special one.

So THE BIG 5 0 is over-hyped and to be honest if you simply don’t care about it, then this trauma of turning 50 just doesn’t happen. However, there is all this pressure from peers to have a party, to do this and that. Well, I’ve never fitted in really and at 50 I was never likely to do what others expected.

Yet society still paints a picture of slippers, pipe, sitting in an armchair watching telly and slipping comfortably into a semi-comatose state that is the next stage before retirement and dribbling in your soup. OK a bit over exaggerated, but I see some in their 20s and 30s slipping into the cement bath that life becomes once you have a partner, kids, mortgage, etc etc. Unless you live in a bubble some of this does wear off on our minds.

There was no party and stuff, just a great family celebration, which is what happens at every birthday.

OK, 51 then, what is the big deal?

Well, you are passed the ‘Big 50’ bullshit and you have realised that this stage in life is one of the best you’ve had.

If you have a grateful mindset, then by 50 you have so much to be grateful for, you have already had an amazing journey and you have banked so much learning, you have a treasure chest of great things that have happened, that you have achieved, memories etc that can not ever be taken away.

Now you don’t give a shit about what others think so much, now you are wise, you can relax and start to apply it, start to be a little braver and you can accept each day as the bonus it truly is. Start to realise that our lives are just these series of now moments, so what the f… are we all waiting for?

51 is going to be a great year and by the way, this philosophy can apply to any age in life if we choose.