Get Ahead by being Grateful, Humble, and Hopeful
“It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste”. Â ~ Henry Ford
Grateful, Humble, and Hopeful
Yesterday a few subscribers took exception to the T4D, or at least had a different viewpoint and shared it. I want to thank them for doing so.
I have sent more than a few T4D’s out without considering “every point of view” - I have never sent any out hoping to persuade or convert or especially to hurt anyone.  Still I have managed to do or at least be accused of doing all of those things.
Then I feel awful and retreat back into sending out the relatively sterile motivational quotes that you can get on a thousand websites and subscription lists. Then after a while I get itchy to laugh, cry, rant, rave and mix things up a bit — get people thinking(mostly myself) …and the cycle repeats itself.
Along the way - I continue to learn a lot and every time I do my gratitude increases as I realize how patient people are with me. And I get humble as my awareness increases at how amazingly little I really know and understand about things, about people and about life.
Then I get hopeful - because I am still alive, I am still in love, and I can still keep growing and going. It is a never ending struggle and adventure to become better than I am - as I strive to become all that I can.Â
May I be granted the wisdom and the patience to allow others the same space and grace as I have received.
Kirk Out
Season’s Greetings - Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all; and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures, and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or choice of computer platform of the wishee.
By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms:Â This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:24 am
That should about cover it. Merry Christmas!
December 20th, 2007 at 6:54 am
Have a wonderful holiday…and keep producing T4D just as you have been. Once you start worrying about everyone’s ‘feelings on a particular subject’ you might as well submit a blank page.
Susan
December 20th, 2007 at 9:32 am
I love this post! Really hit home with me and I need to remember the last two paragraphs - about being hopeful - rather then getting down about it.
Thanks as always and keep em coming! oh - and Merry Christmas :o)
December 20th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Kirk,
I wanted to respond to yesterday’s T4D, but got caught up in a million other things and I didn’t. However, after reading today’s offering, I know now that I should have taken the time to respond…. so, here goes.
I am, I like to think, a pretty tolerant person. I try to consider other people’s views and allow other people to worship (or not) in any way they choose. It’s their choice to make - I’ve made mine and that’s the only choice that is any of my business.
However, this “holiday” thing is really getting to me. We cannot have Christmas parties, but we can have “Holiday” parties. We cannot engage in Secret Santa exchanges, but we may have “Secret Buddies” or “Secret Pals.” We can say, “Happy Holidays” to our clients, but not “Merry Christmas” for fear that we may offend someone. Who is offended by Christmas? Certainly not those who are given Christmas Day as a paid holiday, right? Christmas has slowly evolved over the years into a largely secular celebration, which has been disheartening, but now we can’t say the word, “Christmas?” Who are we kidding? I mean, really…. What’s next? Conscientious Objectors objecting to Veteran’s Day? English Nationals living in the US objecting to Independence Day celebrations? The unemployed objecting to Labor Day?
Anyway, I wanted you to know that I appreciate your conviction. The last thing I need is another daily, sterile email, regurgitating politically-correct motivational quotes. I like that you have a stand on things, whether I agree with you or not - sometimes I don’t. However, it doesn’t offend me to hear an opinion that doesn’t jive with my own. It makes me think about my opinion. Sometimes it causes me to re-evaluate my stand. Other times it just reinforces my belief in my own opinion. How boring would it be if we only ever heard the opinions of those who thought like us, or worse yet if we never got to hear any opinions because of potential offense… We seem to be hovering dangerously close to the latter.
“You can please all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.”
Merry Christmas, Kirk.
Aimee
December 20th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Kirk,
I will be leaving Jack in the Box in a short few weeks as my replacement will be taking over my position very soon. We may be moving to Atlanta after all! I will keep you posted on that. Mostly I would like you to add my personal e-mail to your T4D’s because they have been so supportive for me personally as well as professionally. Your love for life is so contagious, it actually is carried through the very wires of the Internet or wireless, as the case may be…and I don’t want to move on without it.
:o)
Thank you for always being real, sharing and showing humility. It allows me to do the same with (I hope) the same grace that you display.
Happy Holidays to you and your family!!!
Jennie
December 20th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Dear Kirk-
I just wanted to let you know that I was so not offended by yesterdays blurb about Christmas catalogs at all, but was rather uplifted. for those that were offended, I don’t think they quite got what you were trying to convey. I know the key to a happy life is simple forgiveness, especially when you would rather take offence. Wither you are Christian, Jewish, Pagan, Atheist or whatever– the world is not a perfect place for any of us. But when we can forgive each other of our differences and learn to appreciate those differences– then love takes over, hearts are softened and true understanding replaces ignorance.
I am only working temporarily at my company, helping a lady who gets your emails who is out on maternity leave, and I have been so impressed with what you have to share. Thank you for taking risks to help make the world a little more tolerant, open minded, inspired, and well rounded. I hope you never stop taking risks to promote good. Everyone is on a different level of character development, and I just hope that those who were so offended yesterday didn’t get you too down.
Sincerely,
Annika
December 20th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Kirk,
I enjoy your daily serving of food for thought. For me, anyway, it does exactly what you’ve intended: it makes me take a moment to think about something other then service levels, bottom line profits, and which email complaint to respond to next. For that I thank you.
I got a chuckle out of your season’s greeting message - there is so much truth to protecting everyone in the effort to be grateful, humble and hopeful. To this, may I say:
May our Lord and Savior bless you and your family richly. May His peace rest upon you. May you continue to share His love and joy especially at this most holiest of seasons, the celebration of God’s greatest gift to us - His humble, grateful, and most hopeful servants.
Merry Christmas!
Debbie
December 20th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Kirk,
I take all your articles as I think you intend — for me to use to the best of my ability and delete the ones I may not agree with. But most of all, I assume you send them with the best of intentions and with the understanding that as long as there are at least two people in the conversation, there will be more than one opinion. Please keep them coming — it keeps me thinking all the time. I like to think!
Have a great Holiday Season, whatever that may be. I have a wonderful time planned with four generations as I am a lucky person. My mother, my wife, my children and 5 grandchildren. Call it anything you want — IT IS A GREAT TIME IN MY LIFE.
My guess is with your personality and comments, you too have a great time planned with your family. ENJOY!
Terry
December 21st, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Kirk, I’m sure a person in your position can get VERY discouraged by some of the replies that come back to you re: your T4D. All I can tell you is KEEP IT UP!!!! Even if I disagree with a quote, a point of view, an idea, etc., that you send out they at least MAKE ME THINK and/or MAKE ME CONSIDER A DIFFERENT VIEWPOINT OR OPINION.
True leaders like you are a dying breed, unfortunately. Please keep doing what you’re doing for the majority of your subscribers who believe in what you’re doing and appreciate your insight.
A Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family and a Happy New Year in 2008!
Thanks!
Keith
December 21st, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Kirk:
I was relating to your personal journey of stretching people and the unintended offense that is sometimes caused, you feeling awful about it and then coming back after a while and continuing to stretch the folks you engage. Such is the life of a caring change agent. You care and you drive change. Hmmm, it is sometimes a very tough go on the ol’ psyche. I know because I am ask to drive and lead change but do it so that no one is offended - and of course I am told when I have offended someone, but to protect their anonymity, I don’t know who it is, what I have specifically done to offend them nor when I have done it to offend them — oh yeah, and please don’t walk on eggs shells when you are being the leader we need and want you to be. Tough pleasing everyone. I care, too. so I try to be transparent about who I am, what I believe, give people an opportunity to debate our differences. Some times those that are offend are too introvertive to speak out, so I hear about them being offended days, weeks, or months later via a third, fourth or fifth party and then I still only hear about the general “offending” personality that I sometimes have for people……………oh yeah, and please don’t walk on eggs shells when you are being the leader we need and want you to be. So thank you for your transparency and I look forward to hearing from you again.
Floyd
December 21st, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Kirk,
It’s not you that I’m puzzled by, but by the guy in the video (Stuart Shepard).
I grew up Jewish. As a kid in the 50’s, the media hardly mentioned Hanukah. I always felt like something was wrong with me, I didn’t fit in, because we did not celebrate Christmas.
Most of the people on this floor where I work are from India. I know people now who are Hindu, Muslim, Pagan/Wiccan, Agnostic, Atheist, etc., and they are all good people who want to wish others well. Many of these people don’t celebrate Christmas. But when someone says Happy Holidays, it is inclusive, and those who do not celebrate Christmas don’t have to feel left out.
I guess that Stuart is one of those people who thinks that the US is a “Christian Country”. Well, what about the rest of us??? Don’t we exist, vote, pay taxes, serve in the armed forces, spend $ in the economy, teach young children, etc.? He makes me cringe, because it appears that some of us are invisible or not worthy of his notice or concern.
Keep at it, we’ll let you know when something misses the target. 99% of your messages are excellent!
Happy {insert your favorite holiday} and best wishes for a wonderful New Year!
Andrea
December 21st, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Kirk,
Thank you for these emails. I often look at what you offer the same way I look at the Holiday Dinner Table. I may not like everything on the table and I may not try everything on the table. It sure is nice to be sitting at the table with family and friends. I am grateful for all the work that goes into preparing a meal or an email. Keep on bringing us together and I will continue to sit at your table.
I look forward to receiving your emails everyday. Thank you.
Merry Christmas to you and your family
Stephen
December 21st, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Hi Kirk,
I considered typing a response for your newsletter but then felt that it would just be taking a dig at people who well we’re sharing their opinion.
Your “Thoughts 4 the Day†are well your thoughts…and we have chosen to subscribe to your “T4D†for your thoughts.
It’s it unfortunate that that some people took offense to them but the public has chosen to read your T4D’s because of their uniqueness and underlying morals that make a person look inside themselves.
You have a gift, a gift to pull at peoples heart strings and don’t forget that.
Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones.
Sincerely,
-K
December 21st, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Kirk, My dear friend,
Please, please don’t go the safe route and only send me PC material. How Boring!
When I read T4D I get your heart not dogma.
Must we be in agreement about everything you choose to pass on or can we, on occasion agree to disagree?
You have my permission to treat me like a thinking adult and send any material that you fancy. I am
Not threatened by another perspective.
Keep up the good work.
In closing may I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New
JUNE
December 26th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Kirk’s T4D is just that…. your thoughts for the day. You share your thoughts with us. I’d like to think the majority of us really appreciate your comments and enjoy your comic material. For any who don’t appreciate it should simply “unsubscribe”.
I celebrate Christmas as my “holiday of choice”. I wish people Merry Christmas - because it’s what I know. (Unless, of course, I am at work, at which time I wish people Happy Holidays, because it is so strongly impressed upon employees to be inclusive and embrace diversity. And we do.) But if you celebrated Hanukkah and said to me “Happy Hanukkah”, I wouldn’t be offended. I’d smile and say Happy Hanukkah right back.
I won’t fully express my thoughts and opinions about this topic, but I will say it seems that so many people just search for things to be upset or sensitive about. We need to just get over ourselves, stop taking ourselves so seriously and simply appreciate each other for what we are - human beings.
Thank you, Kirk, for your online article. I appreciate it…. and prefer it when you are not just being politically correct. I understand that it’s YOUR thoughts for the day…… not the thoughts of all your readers.
Hope you had a great Christmas.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Marria