Happy Thanksgiving!
About half of Eric’s Tips readers are in the USA, where Thanksgiving is a national holiday today, but like I say each year… gratitude transcends all borders!
This is the 14th consecutive year that we’ve done this thankfulness exercise and contest. Long-time subscribers know that I don’t use this blog much anymore, but a once-a-year Thanksgiving update is enough to keep it going 🙂
For me personally, it’s a great opportunity to be reminded of how thankful I am for all of the subscribers and customers that have allowed me to have this business for so many years.
I want everyone reading this to know that I’m thankful for YOU. Without you, Eric’s Tips would not exist. Whether this is your first time participating in our annual Thanksgiving contest, or your 14th, thank you for being a part of it.
As usual, I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I thank God for life and for all He has done for me.
I went into 2021 with a broken shoulder (scapula) from a mountain bike crash in December. Thankfully I recovered from that and even got out to backcountry ski a couple times before the end of the season. Here’s a pic I took on top of a local hill near my house…
I was just getting back to full speed when I crashed my bike again during a multi-sport race (backcountry ski, mountain bike and whitewater kayak) in April…
I’m smiling in the picture, but the shock hadn’t worn off yet… this time I broke my clavicle into 3 pieces and broke 5 ribs. A surgery and lengthy recovery ensued…
The ribs felt the worst… I developed pneumonia as a result of not being able to breathe well, and got Covid during that time too.
I was especially thankful that I recovered from that and in September was able to compete in one of my all-time favorite races, The Big Hurt (mountain bike, sea kayak, road bike, run), in Port Angeles, Washington. I didn’t win it this year, but took second place which I considered a big victory considering the circumstances!
Last year I lost my cycling buddy Rudy, who passed away during a mountain bike ride. While no one can replace him, I’m thankful to have some new cycling friends–Ryan and Elliott–and have shared several great adventures with them…
Last year our region was devastated by wildfires, and I mourned the destruction of some favorite recreation spots. This year I was filled with hope as I rode through some of those spots and saw new growth already peeking through…
The ability to get outside almost daily and take in breathtakingly beautiful creation is something that I am continually more thankful for as the years pass.
Some days the beauty is screamingly obvious, like when I ride my bike in the mountains and every peak is a beacon of glory; every swaying tree and burbling brook a poem of praise. Other days I have to look deeper, but its always there to be found in both people and nature. The closest thing I do to a daily gratitude journal is try to capture at least one image of beauty each day (I post many of those pictures on my strava account, which is the only social media I regularly use. You have to join for free to see all pics.).
Last year I posted a video of a dance performance on a stage I built in my backyard. This year I am thankful that we were able to get somewhat back to “normal” which included producing dance performances for a full audience…
On the artistic front, I am thankful to have had the opportunity to co-create an 8×8 foot mural along with a talented artist from our church named Amanda Gress…
I am so thankful for my awesome wife and kids. This year my wife and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary. One of the most valuable things we did this year was invest in a private 3-day marriage counseling intensive session. We’ve invested in counseling several times over the years, and I am not ashamed to mention it and highly recommend it!
While I’m sure I took a bunch of great pics of my incredibly beautiful wife this past year, I’ll share one that is more meaningful for its story than its aesthetic value. We went on a hike on our anniversary and got caught in a thunderstorm above treeline, so we took shelter from the lightning and rain until it passed over…
I’ll finish with a selfie of our family on a blustery beach day in Washington (minus our oldest son whom you may recall is now married, and our oldest daughter who is in nursing school)…
In case you’re in need of a little encouragement today, here is a very pretty song that has been uplifting to me this week… it is like a “love note” from God…
Next, here are a couple of freebies as a token of my appreciation. This year I’ve enjoyed learning about and trading cryptocurrency. Those in my Inner Profit Circle coaching club have received my updates throughout the year about it.
So here are 3 ebooks on the subject:
Cryptocurrency Uncovered
Defi Demystified
Blockchain Brought to Light
(The download link has been removed, to keep the value for everyone who got it. Be sure to stay subscribed to Eric’s Tips and download future bonuses right away!)
You can also resell them, or use them as lead magnets.
Now, it’s your turn! Here is the 14th annual Eric’s Tips Thanksgiving contest!
It’s a good thing to express your gratitude for what you’re thankful for. In fact, it’s been shown to have health benefits.
So once again, we are going to do a group exercise to demonstrate our thankfulness.
All you have to do is post a comment below saying something you’re thankful for. It could even be just a few words. There are no bonus points for writing more or writing better. It’s about participation.
In a few days, I will choose 10 comments at RANDOM, and will send $20 via Paypal to each to those 10 people! It’s a small way for me to share a bit of the harvest. I will also announce the winners here on this post, as usual.
If you need examples or inspiration feel free to check out any of the previous years.
Please post a comment below and let us know what you’re thankful for 🙂
NOTE: Your comment will not appear right away, but don’t worry. I’ll check them and approve them periodically.
Have a great day and a happy Thanksgiving!
WINNERS:
(Chosen at random using random.org)
Robert herr._____ll@gmail.—
Thomas Anderson atd____@bellsouth.—
Earl Adkins ____@turnkeygold.—
Ovan Ray Main ray_______@gmail.—
Gary Trobee ____@trobee.—
Kayla Myywebpage@_____.—
Merlin del Mar __________@merlindelmar.—
Graham its4u@___penworld.—
Cynthia Silas _______@yahoo.—
Shawn Shawn.doig@_____.com
So thankful!
So thankful COPD hasn’t taken me away yet!
Happy days!
I am thankful for God’s grace, family and friends. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Fantastic
I am thankful that I get to meet my granddaughter for the first time this thanksgiving.
I should have been dead more than a few times over the course of my life, but I’m still here, still smiling, hard at work pursuing my great dream. I’m grateful for each new day that I wake up to, as each new day gives me the opportunity to change the world… Nothing like making things easy for myself.
I hope that you and your family are enjoying the most wonderful of thanksgivings and that there will be a great many more of them 😉
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.
I am thankful for having any covid 19 in my family
Even if I don’t know how the struggles will end,
I firmly believe that God holds my hand.
Best Wishes and Much Love ffor You and all your Loved Ones Eric.
Greetings from the UK and I am grateful for you o share your faith and your family Lovely photos and glad you are on the mend.
I wish you and your family all the best, and thank you for all the inspiring words I read from you during the years.
Thank you
I am thankful to see another year, my health, family, God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness, and Eric’s tips! 🙂
I’m so greatful for all the things God has given and continues to give so that I can thrive in life!
Gratitude Day!
Hello
I am thankful to God that I could always really turn to Him no matter what. And because of the fact that HE has my back I thank Him even in the bad times
Blessings
Congrats on your anniversary!
This has been a hard year for my family. In April of this year we lost our youngest son to cancer, but the Lord gave us the strength to move forward. It seems like this time of year is bad for many, the memories of lost loved ones in prior years. Today as my wife and I sat with our kids and grand kids at the dinner table it was the sense of togetherness and a feeling of piece in our hearts that was surely Gods blessing.
It’s always easy for us to feel like the worst things have happened in our lives, but don’t forget to take the time to thank God for the time he has given us with our loved ones. It’s the memories that we make together that will stand the test of time, bringing a smile to our faces as the unexpected happens.
Everyday that we get to spend with our family and friends is surely a blessing within itself.
When you’re feeling down, pray for strength and guidance, when someone is in need lend a helping hand and say a prayer for them, when you are blessed don’t forget to thank God.
Thanks for sharing your story.
I’m thankful that I’ve been given the grace to hang on to Him during some very trying years.
Mantap !
I am thankful for Gods’ grace to be alive – I was lost and now I am found.
I’m thankful for health, strength, understanding and the courage to carry on acknowledging that I can do nothing
without God in my life.
I thank God for my family and the opportunity to rebuild a mother relationship with my daughter
I’m thankful for opening your mail today after so many years with an offer to start a business that might
change my lifestyle. I am still a newbie.
Gods’ blessings to you and family
Happy Thanksgiving
Bless you Eric, and thank you for sharing your wisdom and your life. Your success as a man of God and entrepreneur is so inspiring!
I am thankful that He chose me to serve and love Him!
Thank you!!!
I’m grateful the Lord has kept you alive all through your struggles because many had minor accident compared to yours and they’re no more… If same had happen to you, you wouldn’t be here sharing the testimony.
Also, I’m grateful for being blessed by God as I gained admission this year to study my desired course, Nursing. It’s been rough, but he created a smooth path.
I heard this from brother Tony Myers : “Gratitude expels unbelief. How can you be grateful for
something that you don’t believe?’ (you can’t )
…thought I would pass it on (on ‘thanks’giving day)
Thank you Eric for being open, generous & genuine to us in all that you share! It helps us to retain focus on creating a better future for us all! Much apppreciation
I’m thankful for everything i have.
I am thankful for God for His Joy is my srength.
I wish all of you a Happy 7 Safe Thanksgiving as well as a wonderful holiday season.
I am thankful for a Great and Wonderful God who has been so full of grace toward me and promises to never leave or forsake me.
God is good!
I’m thankful for all the times that God has carried us over the years and because He’s carrying us now.
I am thankful for you and your family Eric. You are an inspiration of how God blesses other people, who can in turn, inspire us through the grace of God. May God continue to bless you and your family.
God bless you all !!
Thankful for everything that’s come my way this year. The good outweighs the bad and looking forward to sharing blessings with many others.
I’m thankful that Jesus Paid My Sin Debt and Is My Lord and Savior!
Happy Thanksgiving and may you and yours have many more.
I’m thankful for family and freedom. Thanksgiving is likely my favorite holiday when families gather without the stress of gift-buying, but just to enjoy a meal.
There’s an old story about David Ogilvy, one of the original mad men that established the dominance of the advertising field in the 50s and 60s. One morning on his walk to work, Ogilvy saw a beggar with a sign around his neck.
“I am blind”.
The poor man would occasionally hold the cup up to his ear to give it a rattle, because he was unable to tell how much money was in it by looking. Most days, the beggar didn’t hear much. Ogilvy was in good spirits that day. It was late April in New York, when the air is beginning to warm, and there’s a peaceful pause before the city falls into the oppressive heat of summer. He decided to help the beggar, and dropped a contribution into the cup. Ogilvy explained what he did for a living when the beggar thanked him, and he asked for permission to modify the sign around the man’s neck. Upon receiving consent, he took the sign and added a few words.
That night, on his way home, Ogilvy said hello to the beggar, and was pleased to see his cup overflowing. The beggar, frazzled with his success, and uncertain of what Ogilvy did to the sign, asked what words were added.
“It is spring and
I am blind”.
In my case,it becomes something like this:”This is the Eric’s Tips Newsletter Mailing List that I am on and I am a total newbie”
Likewise, your tips Eric,have the potential to provide the final touch equivalent to what the Ogilvy’s text added to the beggar’s sign, that could very well make the difference in your subscribers’ marketing efforts.
Speaking of helping others, my fellow subscriber Frank, has most accurately put it last year.If I am allowed to slightly modify it, here is what I am thankful for:
I am thankful for having this opportunity available to me and for the people in the world who are willing to help others.
Here is a link to a page that illustrates my current efforts, trying to help a friend of mine, who participates in a contest just like this one, to get more likes to their video wishing Happy Birthday: http://cliks.club/oIWJE
It’s time to choose gratitude, says Lisa Arango, an FIU psychologist in the College of Arts, Sciences & Education.Shifting our focus from ourselves to someone or something else is a key part of the gratitude process.Acknowledging the good that other people have done for us also takes us out of ourselves and lets us appreciate Recognizing that others are helping us activates the reward centers of our brains, says Arango. We become aware of people’s intentions. We appreciate it. The positive thoughts this unleashes helps create hope and optimism – and motivates us to connect.“We feel supported by others and less isolated and alone in the world when we recognize that people are bringing good into our lives,” Arango explains.“Research links the practice of gratitude to improved self-esteem and greater life-satisfaction,” Arango says. “It has also been found that gratitude is a protective factor when it comes to stress and depression.”
Simply put, Arango says: Thanksgiving points us toward a way of life, not just an idea for one day of the year. “Gratitude is a practice, a mindset and an approach,” Arango explains. “[It] has the potential to heal, energize, change our lives and our relationships.”
Thank you very much, Eric, and keep up the good work!
So thankful for so many new friends this year and a church that goes deep and feels like family!
Really thankful to God that He keeps my family safe throughout the year. Thankful for new learnings as well.
I am thankful that I didn’t come to grief in a skydiving incident and a kayaking incident. I am also thankful for having had a rewarding career and that I now have a great retirement hobby.
I’m thankful to the Lord for all he’s given me. All the best from Germany!
I am thankful to have my family and friends with me.
Happy Thanksgiving to you 🙂
So thankful for knowing you, Eric…
You brought so much value to online marketing
God bless you!
I am thankful to the Lord to still have our eldest son with us. He and I were in an auto crash 2 weeks ago, that should have killed him and probably injured me greatly, when a driver crossed over into our lane at a high rate of speed. I feel God took control of BOTH wheels, and even though both vehicles were totaled, the passengers in both cars walked away with only bruises, a few aches and pains, etc. God is Good! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!
Happy Thanksgiving!!