I have long held that one of the healthiest emotions we can experience is gratitude; and on a personal level, the two vices that I most detest are self-pity and ingratitude. Both of these vices are ubiquitous in our modern world and it takes real courage and an act of imagination to be able to resist their pull on oneself. That said, as we come to the end of this year, let us rejoice in true gratitude, not just giving thanks to those we love, our families, friends, and colleagues, and all that make a good life possible, not even just God or to the greater spirit responsible for creation, but let’s say thank you remembering what we have to be thankful for.
My wife and I have compiled our top ten list for 2013: ten events, incidents, achievements, happenings that especially make gratitude flow inside. These are of course specific and it is important to add that they in no way undermine what might be called the more generic, persistent and permanent reasons to be thankful; by which I mean good friends, family support, a great spiritual and healing community and so on. With that in mind, then what are my top ten ‘thanks’ for 2013?
In no order of priority, but let me record that in the last quarter of the year, my wife and I decided to start one date night a week. wow! That has been fantastic for our relationship and our sense of fun. We regularly go to a local Thai restaurant and the whole ‘break’ begins. Thank you, highly recommended for all couples!
Summer was also an especially good time for Linda and I, days here and there: Sherborne Castle, the Somerset Light Rail and the extraordinary visit to Mottisfont Abbey. We entered the main room where the grand piano lurked and my son, Joe, was invited to play; he kept some 40 visitors spellbound as he, without musical score, played The Moonlight Sonata. At the moment he was studying a portrait on the wall; while the notes sounded, and I thought what and who is that – I turned around and found my own son playing!
And speaking of my son, I performed and participated in several poetry events in 2013: appearing with my friend Stuart, who played Bach on the piano, at my Healing Sounds event was amazing. Joe made a cameo appearance here. But he had a double act with me at The Father and Sons event at the King’s Hotel later that year. Both events produced new poetry collections that I am particularly proud of: how many parents manage to publish a joint poetry collection with their child? Grateful or what?
Then in April we moved into our new home at Burnham Gardens. We had been in Littledown for 11 years and in our home before Littledown for another 11 years! After my illness, we felt the need to move on: a quieter, more charming place, more us. And Burnham has not disappointed: it has been a wonderful new start for us that has propelled us forward in so many ways. So thanks for that.
Several things happened on the business front for which I have to give thanks. My trip to Stuttgart in the summer to discuss our product on another level was excellent, and my partner, David, was a pleasure to be with. We also had to deal with some difficult personal issues, and I felt that we were strong and fair in dealing with some challenging situations. Also, how can I forget some of the talks I gave? But I especially want to remember my talk for Mark Liddle at the Liddle Lunch at the Italian Village, Compton Acres – what a great audience and excellent event. Thank you all. And God bless Mark Liddle.
On a personal level, the era of meetings is not over. I went to a school reunion of the Hampton Parkers in Southampton. That was a party – the only former teacher there with over 100 former students and possibly knowing about 40 or so that I had taught. Incredible. But from that, even more incredible, was the meeting that followed: at the RSA Vaults restaurant in London, where 1 and 4 of my former students ruminate and laugh. What was amazing was what they had all achieved: one theater director, Mark, another novelist, Sonia, one film director/writer, Maythem, and the other BBC actress and screenwriter, Abigail. I felt so proud of them and grateful that they allowed me thirty years ago to contribute in a small way to their lives. Later I met Fuzz, an international coach now, in Birmingham and we had lunch and looked at pictures of him at 15 in the school play.
Finally, I am grateful for the fact that my tumor has returned on the CT scan I had in August. It was bad news, but it led to a good outcome: my reconnection with an alternative health practitioner who had an incredible impact on my health and mindset. It’s like a wake up call and sometimes you have to be scared to death to wake up. Whatever happens, then – I’m grateful.
And I invite all of you, my readers, to compile your top ten things to be thankful for in 2013 before it’s too late and you forget. Remember, gratitude is such a healthy emotion, so feel it.