Instead, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all who read my blog, and especially to those of you who add your thoughts and comments. My hope is that it adds value to you in your business and your life. I just want you to know that I am grateful for you!

Happy Thanksgiving,

I am writing this from one of the most beautiful locations I have ever been to. I am at Malibu, which is a Young Life Camp located in Canada in a narrow fjord called Princess Louisa Inlet. The first picture included here shows the beauty of this place. The other is my inspiration for this post.

On Monday, I arrived here with my son Wesley and about 50 young people from our church. We are here to serve the families of US military who have recently returned from deployment in Afghanistan or Iraq. Some have only been back in the states for a few weeks, and this is the first real down time they have had with their wives, husbands and kids.

Re-entry can be very difficult, and my role has been to serve as a small group leader with a few couples. It has been truly rich and wonderful.

Prior to this week, I had no real understanding of the price these young heroic families pay for my freedom. I am embarrassed to admit that I have spent most of my adult life taking them for granted. Nor did I know how I could ever repay them for their service.

Today, I cannot say that I fully grasp the extent of their sacrifice…but I believe I have greater insight as to how we can better serve them. These young husbands and wives need the opportunity to truly unplug together and get reacquainted with each other.

Up here at Malibu, none have cell phone coverage and just a few are granted limited access to the net. There is nothing for them to do other than listen to some very insightful messages, play with each other, and connect. They have time set aside every day when their kids are well cared for and these couples get to hike, boat, eat, nap and just be together.

I have asked several of them what those of us in their communities can do to best help them after they return from war. They said we can help them to connect with each other.

I know that few of you will have the opportunity to invest a week up here at Malibu, but if you know a military family in your community, you can offer to babysit their kids for a night or a weekend. Perhaps you own a timeshare or a vacation home you could offer for a few days. Maybe you could treat them to a gift certificate for a nice dinner out.

One of our soldiers who served in Iraq three times said that having someone else pick up the tab at a restaurant blesses him immensely. And they all appreciate a heartfelt handshake and thank you.

I would like to say thanks to those of you who have served our country, or have family members who have served. Your sacrifice is meaningful and so appreciated!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and as we all remember to be a little more thankful, I am struck by the people I know who live with this attitude daily.  I’d like to tell you about a couple of these people who have inspired me.

The first is a friend named Hector, who lives down here in Valle Verde.  In his earlier years, Hector raised five children in a one room shanty and rode a scooter for transportation as he looked for work.  There is no way for me to do his story justice here, but what I want to share is that he is a man who has known what it is like to have very, very little.

Hector is unequivocally the most grateful man I have ever met.  Last night our entire group of 20 men, women and children commented on his joy and thankfulness.  One of our friends has been here and worked by Hector’s side for each of the last 9 years.  He said he has never seen Hector grumble, get frustrated or even melancholy.  He is incredibly joyful and grateful, and we always leave Mexico inspired by his attitude.  In a situation that many of us would find bleak, Hector is thankful each and every day.

Next I’d like to tell you about a dear friend of mine by the name of Greg Salciccioli.  Greg and I started an organization together ten years ago called Ministry Coaching International.  Its purpose is to coach leaders of churches, schools, and other not for profit organizations in the same way Building Champions coaches business leaders.  Greg has served as the president since its inception.

If you have met Greg, you will agree that he stands out from the crowd.  The first thing you notice is that he is the tallest guy in the room.  He is something like 6’18”. The second is the way he shakes your hand.  You will lose your hand in his grip as his hand completely envelops yours.  The third is his huge and contagious smile.  Greg is always smiling, and you just can’t help but feel happier when you are around him.  Most importantly, when you finish a conversation with Greg, he will always let you know that he appreciates you.  He has been telling me this in our conversations and by his actions consistently for the last ten years.

Take time to think about the people around you this Thanksgiving.  Who do you know that is constantly thankful?  Who makes you feel better by just being around them?

The challenge for each of us in this season is to reflect on our own attitude and actions.  How do we make the people around us feel?  Do we let them know how thankful we are for them, or do we take them for granted?  Are we truly thankful for relationships, more so than for things and experiences?

May your life and leadership be defined by a heart of thankfulness.

I am thankful for you,