A Fousand Fings

Growing up in Sussex, in the South East of England I had two younger brothers and a totally adorable baby sister who was as a near as dammit 10 years younger than me.  I now live many, many miles away from where I grew up and where my family still live and the memories of growing up live on. Far away from the rolling hills of the green Sussex countryside sat here under the Majestic Table Mountain, sparks of memories flash to the forefront of my mind. The last couple of days one prominent memory has been active in my mind, triggered by Africa’s number one motivational speaker, Billy Selekane whom I was privileged to see and hear speak over the weekend.

Sat listening to a great motivational speaker and taking pages upon pages of notes I didn’t quite realise that God truly wanted me to where I was and this thing referred to as the Law of Attraction placed me where I was, just when I needed to be there. Billy spoke and joked and he planted 2 seeds with me, this blog today is just one of them.

Billy spoke about his travelling, flying first class on Etihad Airlines. He explained how in first class he had a pull out table and the table was big enough for a guest to join. Being a considerate man he asked the stewardess to bring someone from economy to come and dine with him. Someone was duly found and brought to the table. No names were exchanged but there was one condition; write down one thousand things you are grateful for. 

Of course this amused me in the context it was given. The vision of someone from economy, being walked through business all the way up to first to meet a complete stranger to have a meal and then to be told write down a thousand things you are grateful for.  Over the last few days since hearing this story I have mulled it over and thought about it. In my mulling and thinking I remembered my youngest brother, Ben and my Dad.  In the course of conversation as a young boy Ben would say the word “Fing”, not thing but clearly “Fing”, my Dad would always question “what is a Fing?” and both he had an Ben would laugh. This memory put a smile on my face and made me ask myself “what is a Fing?” or to be honest “what is a thing?” and from here I asked “can I name one thousand things I am grateful for in my life?” and so I started my list.

Asking myself what things do I have that make me who I am? With my brother resonating in my head I began to define the things in I have life, everything from a material item through to even my memories and current thoughts; things I know make me a man and things I can use to further my growth. The list of things began to form and a smile and  glowing warmness was forming inside. I became relaxed and more focused. And I was and am grateful.

My Brother Ben in Green - many years ago!

Gratitude is another key to success in life and business. We all think we are grateful but are we truly grateful? The list of a thousand “fings”  is something we can all do, its not easy trust me I am battling with mine now I almost half way, I will post my list early next week when I am done. But how grateful are you?  How much do you take for granted?  As we become successful our outward view and feelings towards things become cloudy, we forget the challenges, we forget what it was like before success, we forget to give thanks for cent or penny we receive and we forget to give thanks for so much we take for granted. Over time for many the list of things will fade away, thanks will become less and the things themselves will become taken for granted. My list, not only will I publish it, but I will keep it close and read it daily for the “Fings” on the list are me at my lowest and when, very soon, I am at a high I will revert back and feel grateful still and of course add to the list. Will you do the same?

The Christian Faith and understanding and acceptance of a Good and Gracious God becomes cloudy when we achieve success. Even mediocre success slows down or even removes the act of thanksgiving.  I am guilty, I will raise my hand and say “I am guilty of not giving thanks when I had it all”. Right now I am at the bottom of the heap and closer to God than ever before, this blog you are reading is a result of my closeness and is a real-time blog, its life, my life and my thoughts that may inspire, may challenge or may just make you think “this guy is nuts”. I will say, from the feedback I am getting that for many what I am saying, what I am writing is striking a chord; if that’s true for some then I guess that nearly everyone is learning and I truly give thanks for that!

So back to our list of one thousand things. Don’t just think the list, write it down and connect with each “fing”,  the warm feeling inside will grow and smiles will happen as many things will trigger an emotion. As you write down each thing, pause and be thankful, don’t just say “thanks” feel the thanks and release it. The emotions are what make Gods wishes for you come true and what makes the law of attraction work…. Really work!

I haven’t seen my brother in 15 years,  I am now planning to go to the UK with my son and I am going to raise the money to do so, if you feel blessed or inspired by this crazy post consider a donation towards a dream $10,000 visit!