Receiving Thanks

Thanksgiving Day is
one of my favorite holidays. I am in charge of the turkey and I get great pleasure when family and friends enjoy the most delicious bird they
ever tasted.

Of course, the best
part is the nature of the holiday itself. A day in this country to give thanks
for all we are blessed with, from our freedom to the pursuit of our dreams.

Most of us give
thanks, not only on this day, but hopefully throughout our lives. Yet, one of
the most difficult things is our ability to receive thanks, especially when it
comes to thanking ourselves.

Receiving thanks for being one's self is something we almost never witness. That is
not only to our own detriment, but to those who love us as well. What is more
painful is that knowing this, we still have trouble
doing it.

Treating ourselves thankfully is not easy to wrap our arms around because either we think we could do better or
should do better. Those thoughts themselves are not the problem for they often
are what motivates us to be a better person. The problem occurs
when those thoughts turn from positive motivation to self loathing and
blame.

One of the most
cherished guests I had on my show was John Wooden, considered the
greatest coach of all time. Coach Wooden not only won more basketball games than any other
in history but winning the NCAA championship 10 times in 12 years is
a record that most agree will never be broken.

What is more
amazing is that he never once asked his team to win. He only asked them to
be the best they were capable of being.

Success is peace of mind which is a direct result
of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are
capable of becoming.

-John Wooden-

It is those last seven
words: The best you are capable of becoming that means so much.

We always do the best we are
capable of doing. Should we strive
for more, ALWAYS, but while striving we should be thankful that we still doing the best we can in that moment.

So on this
Thanksgiving weekend please continue to give thanks but also receive some thanks for
yourself, for you undoubtedly are the best you are capable of
becoming.

In honor of
Thanksgiving and the inspirational coach John Wooden, below is my entire
conversation with the Wizard of Westwood himself.

Enjoy the episode,
have a wonderful holiday and receive all the thanks for being you.

Barry