I was looking over a list of items I had written about 2 years ago on my blog, Thanksgiving Thoughts. Seeing the 8 things I had listed there I realized that list is still applicable. Except I have a few more things to add.
If you notice in that 2011 list, I’ve included my wife as #1. She still puts up with those same idiosyncrasies, same busy schedule, same time away from me because of travel… she’s still my #1!
But I’d also add my thanks for two great kids. My daughter is with a team of mission workers in Uganda right now, helping young children, serving the poor, and making me very proud. And my son is doing well in college in Palm Beach, Florida, pursuing a career in theater (yeah, he’s in the tropics, on an ocean – but somebody had to do it!).
I still have a great staff. I’m also thankful for the new people with us that have been added in the last year. They all help make Onstage Success and Tom Jackson Productions run smoothly.
On that original list of “thanks,” I included the fact that I have work, and that I love the work I do. That’s definitely still on my list of things to be grateful for! But in addition, this year I’m also glad that work has been expanding, it’s been bringing me into contact with a lot of new friends, and has given me a renewed passion for getting more people introduced to my Live Music Method.
I’m still thankful for the artists I work with… still thankful for all the industry friends I have all over the world. I met even more this year with trips all over the US, Canada, and across the great country of Australia!
Plus, I’ll also add to the list of friends & associates the people from the numerous charities I work with. I am extremely grateful for the work they do, helping the poorest of the poor. And I am glad they allow me to be a part of their team, and that I can bring artists into the associate programs we’ve helped them set up.
And finally, there was this last item on the list from 2011:
8. I’m especially grateful for the grace God shows me, and for him allowing me to pursue my dreams!
I can’t add any more to that one… it remains the same year after year.
What about you? Even if your country isn’t celebrating a Thanksgiving holiday this week, I’d love to hear about the things you are most thankful for.
I hope every one of you reading this will leave a comment below about the thing you are most thankful about in your life, your career, your work right now! I look forward to reading them…
Tom Jackson
Tom is uniquely talented and skilled at transforming an artist's live show into a magical experience for the audience; helping artists at every level create a live show that is engaging and memorable, teaching them to exceed their audiences' expectations and to create fans for life. Tom has taught indie and major artists of every genre. He has worked with Taylor Swift, Le Crae, Home Free, The Tenors, Shawn Mendes, The Band Perry, Francesca Battistelli, Jars of Clay, & many more. Tom also teaches at colleges, conferences and events worldwide.
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I am thankful for my health, for my perserverance that has let me rise above some of the losers that surround me so that i am achieving my goals and…for Tom’s (and others) inspirational videos and pep talks!
My wife is also tops on my list as well as my family. So grateful that we have been blessed with the relationships that we have. Thankful for the work I do at UW-Milwaukee and our students through Innovative Weather and the way they have grown this year. Thankful to be a part of Campus Ministry, one of the most challenging ministry fields, but one of the most insightful. Thankful for the worship teams at St. Paul’s in Muskego, WI and all of the close friendships that we have with our church family. Thankful for new songs that seem to keep coming and opportunities to share the stories behind those songs with people. Thankful for health and probably most importantly the Joy and Peace that come through Jesus and the hope that comes through that faith.
AND of course, thankful for the lessons on communication that Tom has shared with me over the years in person and in video/blogs. Tom, you likely have no real idea on how much impact you have when people really step back to see how accessible you’ve made the concept of communication from a platform/leadership position. I’ve used them from stage, public speaking, small groups, coaching etc… They all apply so keep it up.