Tonight I was a fortunate man.  Along with six very good friends, I performed my new CD Find Your Happy Place! for an appreciative and accepting crowd at Lillie’s Coffee Bar (Neptune Beach, Florida).  There were people present from the last forty years of my life. They braved a monsoon at the beach to come out and enjoy the music and friendship.
I can be a bit of a whiner at times—don’t like to admit; but it is true.  And the reality is I have NOTHING to whine about. At times, it is easy to dwell on the misfortunes of life…and that kind of thinking is deadly.  Tonight was a reminder that I have so many things to be thankful for.  We all do.  Perhaps you are one of those people who says “thank you” on a regular basis. If so, good for you!  If not, stop for a moment—even if all hell is tumbling down around you—and give thanks for the good around you.
Tonight, I shared the stage with Jeff, Robin, Jim, Rick, Billy, and Shack. They exemplify what good people do for other individuals—and for their community.
Here is part of what I shared with my good friends after tonight’s event:

Thank you for a very magical night.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I am a realist enough to know that a night like this does NOT happen without people like you.  I know that is cliché…but it is so true…there are so many lessons that were present tonight.

• Selflessness. You folks prove that—you live that.  You are all about the other person.  One of the cardinal principles of public speaking is to remember that it is NEVER about the speaker—it is always about the audience.  You personify that.
• Mentoring. Each of you personifies that, too… I am a person who has been blessed with a love for music—and a good deal of chutzpah to get up and do stuff that people with a lot more talent choose not to.  And I am able to do that because each of you have mentored and supported me along the way.
• Enjoying the present.  You all know how to do this. We are only guaranteed what is in front of us…You know how to milk every moment from every day.  All of you do.  That is inspirational.
• Joy.  Happiness is fleeting…but joy is lasting.  While I do hope that my song “Find Your Happy Place!” resonates with people, I also realize we have to find joy in life.  Thanks for helping to share that feeling.

Who in your life would you like to reach out to and say thank you?  Who should you reach out to?
We live in an amazing time.
Life is truly amazing when one has great friends like I do.  I AM happy and fortunate.
For what and for whom are you grateful? Consider reaching out to them today.

© Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog, 2010.