My driveway seemed quite a bit bigger that morning back in 1995. I remember stopping dead in my tracks when it hit me that both my cars had been repossessed. My world fell apart that day and left me without my cars, my business, $60,000 in debt and without any degree of self esteem.
With one small child and another on the way, I was lost, scared and not used to being poor.
I took on a night job working from 8pm to 8am as a Laser Operator making $8.50 per hour plus incentive pay. I remember working through my breaks and being within a few thousand impressions of hitting bonus and then the machine would break down. I would leave there feeling like a bigger loser than when I arrived . I’d get home, exhausted and many times would fall asleep while catching up with my wife.
I remember ransacking my ashtray to find 40 cents so we could each have a roll with our coffee. Those were great mornings! It was like we were eating a million dollar meal!
I took on jobs delivering pizza’s and as a bus boy at a local Italian restaurant. I know first hand what it feels like to get screwed out of tip, have people treat you like crap and have lots of time to reflect on your sins, all the while wondering . . .
What the hell did I do to deserve this?
But it wasn’t all bad!
I learned to bust my ass again
I started to appreciate things I had taken for granted
I became closer with God and my family
I started to dedicate myself to continual learning
I learned what its like to feel like you’re at the end of your rope and then have someone come along and offer a random act of kindness. That one stands out most!
You know, this thing called life is a very delicate thing. I think we need to be respectful of the things we have been given and find a way to give something back.
Please allow me to say that again but in a different way . . .
When we give to others we pay tribute and respect for that which we are fortunate enough to have.
That brings us to the Thanksgiving portion:
As we quickly approach one of my favorite holidays, I would invite you to think beyond the turkey (I know you would have lost me right there too), think beyond the travel or perhaps if you are like me, think beyond the juggling of visiting more than one relative and the whole “I’ve got to see both sides of the family today” thing.
When we break up the word Thanksgiving . . . it obviously gives us two words.
The first word is “Thanks”
What are you thankful for?
When was the last time you counted your blessings?
Have you thanked your clients . . . just for being your clients?
How about everyone on your team who work behind the scenes to help you shine?
Do you have some people in your life who have supported you, encouraged you, guided you, listened to you? When was the last time you thanked them? And if you’ve lost them, you can still honor them. Don’t ever forget that!
The second word is “Giving”. Many years ago, I heard Tony Robbins give a tip on being wealthy. He said that if we truly want to feel wealthy then we should make giving a habit. He went on to explain that when we give, we are subconsciously telling ourselves we have enough to give to others. In that moment we feel wealth and abundance. The giving doesn’t have to be some enormous amount either.
How about that free turkey you are about to win at the supermarket. Consider donating it.
Buy an extra can or two of food and donate it to a local food bank. With the economy the way it is our local food banks are really hurting right now!
That spare change in the coffee can in your room
Frequent flyer miles
Give blood
A kind or encouraging word to someone who needs a little pep talk.
Please don’t take that encouragement lightly . . . everyone deserves another round! Encouragement keeps them in the fight!
I’m here today, because of the encouragement of others, when my life had taken a very bad turn!
I’d like to ask you for a favor this week:
Find a way to own “Thanks” and “Giving”.
And do it with action!
Finally, I hope you will slow down on Thanksgiving and enjoy your family. This is why we work as hard as we do and quite frankly conquering the world at home is a must!
Oh, and I am very grateful for that day back in 1995, when my world fell apart, because it set in motion a series of events that brought me here today . . . For me to show respect and appreciation for a second chance!
Wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving!
With respect and appreciation,
Paul Castain
Wow Paul! I really do not know what to say after reading this other than to say thank you. Thank you for sharing your incredible story with all of us. Thank you for inspiring us with your great work on a regular basis. And thank you for always being real, sincere and just wanting to help others, bottom line. You absolutely hit the nail on the head when you said that we should focus more than ever on giving, and we should all go that extra mile this holiday season. All the best!
I want to thank you for posting this message. So often we value people at face value – what you see everyday. Whether you like what you see or don’t there’s a reason why each of us behave the way that we do. It’s not until you hear (or read) something personal about a person that helps you to understand, why we are the way that we are, and a new found respect or admiration is developed. I want to thank you for this message and the reminder that people are beautiful and if you take the time to get to know somebody you might realize that to. Obviously I’m digging a little deeper and this message has brought up some feelings. However, giving of yourself (personal stories) to co-works, friends, family can broaden a relationship. Thanks so much Paul. Happy Thanksgiving!
A sincere honor.
Thank YOU for taking the time to stop by and share your thoughts!
Beautiful, gracious post Paul! You’ve got it right! Thank YOU for being wonderful you and giving selflessly to others through your words and kindness! Wishing you and yours a most blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!!
With appreciation,
Elena 🙂
God Bless you and your family this Thanksgiving…John
Thank you John!
Wishing you the very same!
Lovely, Paul. A happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Thank you . . . Wishing you and your family the same!
Thank you Tim . . . You made my day!
Thank you Elena.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Paul,
Thank you for inspiring me to not only be a better salesman, but a better person.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Very nice of you to say that Richie.
Happy Thanksgiving buddy!
Very good and timely post Paul. I especially like what you say about encouraging others. You can never tell when a few words from you can change the trajectory of someone’s life. Expressing thanks by providing encouragement to others is a great way to “pay it forward”. I will look for the opportunity to do this over the Thanksgiving holiday and hope others will also do so.
I think we’ve all been on the receiving end of encouragement or even in a situation where we sure could have used some.
It costs us nothing to offer our encouragement and the ROI can be quite significant.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Paul, you have a great gift for telling a moving, compelling and insightful story. Thanks for helping me to keep me in focus! You are the Jedi master, Yoda!
My pleasure Bob . . . Truly it is!
Thank you Sir!
Great story, great ideas, & great writing. Thanks!
Thank you Bruce!
Hello Paul, in the country where I am coming from we don’t have the thanksgiving holiday, still I can feel exactly what you are talking about and I believe that very often we want to climb higher and achieve more (which is not bad ad all) but meanwhile we forget to appreciate what we’ve already got and forget to reach out a hand to the ones who might need us at
I agree Delia . . . we certainly can forget to appreciate the things we have.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by and share your thoughts!
Happy Thanksgiving Paul!
Wishing you the very same Bruce!
Thank you Sir!
Good morning Uncle Paul,
You have been inspiring me for over 3 years and you have taught me many, many lessons. I don’t give you a personal thanks every time I use one of your tips, in my heart I know where it came from. Your encouragement is why I try to pay it forward everyday.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loving family,
All the best to you my friend
—
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you for 3 years Jay . . . I’m very grateful for that!
Happy Thanksgiving Jay!
AWESOME!! Thanks for sharing Paul, very thought provoking and right on target for ANY day!!
Have a great holiday!
Paul
Thank you Paul!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Morning Paul,
Thanks for the inspiration this morning! You story brought tears this morning! What I think we need to learn is not just to be grateful and giving on Thanksgiving but to feel this way as many days as you can!
Happy Thanksgiving Paul to you and your family!
Cheers,
Larry
AMEN to that Larry . . . “Thanks” & “Giving” needs to be a continual mindset.
Happy Thanksgiving Larry!
Well written Paul. Very inspiring journey.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Thank you Tony . . . the same to you my friend!
Paul, I saw in Twitter that Tim Mushey retweeted this link. And having read your stuff for a while, I immediately thought “don’t read that, you might get all emotional”
I have been through a lot of that kind of stuff too…
I love your heart and perspective on the bad things. And even more, I like your attitude of gratitute for the blessing that are there now.
Great post my friend! Oh, and my initial thought was correct, it really got me.
Have a blessed and amazing Thanksgiving
Sorry about that Lorne . . . Not the easiest thing to write. Thank goodness my office is not in the main area of my home 🙂
Thank you for the kind words and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Great post, Paul. I wish you and your family a great Thanksgiving! BTW, I’m thankful for connecting with you via @SandyHubbard. Hope I spelled Sandy’s name correctly. I’m on my droid. 🙂
Thank you Karen . . . It truly has been wonderful connecting with you too.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving Paul,
Your post opens up the opportunity to put out a great big Thank You to you for appearing in my mailbox every day. I am constantly amazed at how you have allowed yourself to be so open and honest with us. A great business man combined with a man who expresses his feelings and really ‘gets’ what is important in life. Thank you for sharing ‘you’ with us.
I have also noted that most of the comments to you on this post are from men. They have also felt free to express their feelings. Wow, the world is definitely changing for the better.
Paul, thanks for sharing such a heartfelt story for us. I take your story to heart as I have been there myself. Thanks and Giving is truly the meaning of this holiday. Thanks for all you do. May you have many blessing this holiday season. Oh and gobble gobble…
Paul, thank you from the bottom of my heart for this. God bless your family & you this holiday and through the entire year. Cheers to you!
Great story Paul, thank you for sharing with us. I especially like your advice regarding words of encouragement, so true, we don’t have thanksgiving in Oz but as we say downunder, “have a good one mate”!
Great post Paul! I hope you had a great holiday, thank you for sharing your story.