Today concludes my sixty days of gratitude writing exercise.
Today is my 60th birthday.
I’m grateful to be here.
Ten years ago I wrote a blog post — Half Century Mark — articulating some of my beliefs. I ended that missive with:
I believe…
Given my wife, my colleagues and my friends,
my roots, my parents and my upbringing,
my career, my abilities and my freedom,
my assets, my history, and my opportunities…
Yes. I’ve received much more than my share of good fortune.
I believe I am grateful.
In reviewing that post I note that while a few of my beliefs have changed, I’m actually somewhat surprised at how little actually has.
One of the unchanging things is the conclusion above, and that’s why this this decade I choose to focus on gratitude.
It’s too easy to overlook what we have. It’s too easy to take it all for granted.
My little writing exercise was, in part, just a writing exercise. “Write every day, dammit.”(*) But it’s also been an exercise in mindfulness; an exercise to work to improve my own appreciation of what life has given me, and my ability to remember to be grateful for it all, every single day.
I’m grateful to have been able to share that with you.
But, ultimately, I’m just grateful to be here.
I hope to be grateful for a long, long time to come.
(*) Full disclosure: because of a volunteer commitment these last three days of gratitude were pre-written four days ago and scheduled. Yes, I’ll be out stalking charity bike riders on my sixtieth birthday. It feels wonderfully appropriate.
Grateful for you, Leo!
Thank you for the past 60 days.
I have enjoyed your posts. I have thought a lot about the things I am grateful for as a result of reading yours. Thanks!
Happy Birthday from Texas
Happy Birthday, old troop, keep up the good work, even though it’s still officially Summer until 21st September when it will be Autumn here.
Congratulations, young man! There will come a day you’ll wish you were sixty again.
Happy belated birthday. Hope you have lots more! Thank you for sharing your computer wisdom.
Happy Birthday Leo, been reading you for years!!! You’ll love 60…..but let me tell you about the 70s……;)
Happy birthday, young Leo! 🙂
Happy belated birthday Leo.Wish you a long and happy life and good health.I wish I was 60 again …
Happy birthday Leo! Many more!
CONGRATULATIONS FOR TURNING 60
Happy birthday Leo
Wonderful thoughts. Happy birthday! The next time you feel old, remember, you are still almost 4 1/2 years younger than me! 73
Keep working. Your still too young for a pension. Too much made of age. You look too young to be 60. Love your writings. Brilliant.
Can’t do better than echo Terry at 8:33 . Congratulations, and yes there WILL come a day when you’ll wish you were sixty again. Just don’t dwell on it, and keep right on going…!
Happy 60th Leo , may there be many more.
I have no idea what you said, but I just want you to know that I am eleven years your senior and i thought it would take longer to get old.
Happy Birthday Leo. Thanks for the wisdom you shared with so many! Still twenty behind me. Will be eighty on October 10.
Hey, Leo, Happy Birthday! My 60th is on the 26th, nice to know we are in the same ballpark. We still got a long way to go, baby! Thanks for everything you do for us out here, and thanks for stirring up the flames re gratitude!
Congratulations & much happiness. Enjoy your special day, Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday! Your straightforward and practical advice and opinions are quite welcome. Most similar blogs are awash in doubletalk to hide ignorance… Or just blatantly pitching sponser products. Keep up the good work.
Happy Birthday, young fella, and thank you for all your good advice over the years. Sorry I can’t join you at 60, you don’t want to be here with me at 86, but I sure hope you make it eventually and enjoy it as much as I do!