Thank You

One of the most impactful lessons I've learned stemmed from resentment I had toward my boss. It progressed to where I couldn't enjoy my weekend because in 48 hours I'd have to work with him again. The imaginary arguments I had with him created a collage of tension, stress and anxiety in my core. I was on the verge of erupting.

Then I got an idea. It was, Thank You. As I walked the parking lot on my way in to work, I began thanking him, out loud. Thank you for hiring me. Thank you for giving me the chance to do something different. Thank you for allowing me to learn new things I have interest in. Thank you for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. Thank you for offering me a position that provides health insurance... I kept finding reasons to appreciate him. I did this for two weeks.

One morning on my stroll in, I noticed I wasn't doing my Thank You's. It quickly hit me. I was looking forward to seeing him. In a short time, the way I viewed him had totally changed. Over those two weeks, we had convos about topics unrelated to work and even joked around.

During one discussion related to achieving, I asked, "Why would someone talk about something that hasn't happened yet as if it did?"

He said, "Sometimes when you tell the story, you make it come true."

It was really nice to see a different side of him. The reason I never saw it was simple - I just didn't care to notice. I was so hell-bent to see what I wanted that I couldn't see the truth. I wasn't better than him, and he wasn't the enemy. We were equals.

Things stayed this way for three months until he left on medical leave. I helped how I could. Rides to or from doctor appointments, homemade chicken noodle soup and Thanksgiving dinner with my fam. He took as long of a leave as possible, then stepped down.

Not long after, I received a call from a co-worker. She suggested I call him because he may not have much time. I left a message telling him how much I learned from him, not just about work, but about life. I got out a tearful, shaky I love you before hanging up.

He called back soon after. We both knew this was the last time we'd speak. I thanked him again for what he taught me, and he thanked me. Our chat ended with a respectful goodbye. A few days later, he was gone from this physical world.

Even though Darryl moved on,I still send him my Thank You's. I never could have imagined that the friendship we came to share all started and continues with, Thank You.

Thank You constantly blesses me with treasures only my soul can truly understand through the invisible energy of complete acceptance. The Thank You Practice generated a looking-glass perspective that started in resentment and ended in gratitude. What initially separated me, ultimately connected me.

Thanks tons, Darryl. My life wouldn't be what it is today, without you.

Much Love,

Jimmy