Thankful Experiences
This may be the shortest post ever on this blog. But what the heck—the blog is supposed to be about experiences. Critical Mass is a Canadian owned company, and Canadians already celebrated their own version of Thanksgiving—but it’s never a bad idea to think about something you’re thankful for. So why not now?
Here’s an experience I’m thankful for. I left home. Everything I knew—all my friends and family, everything I identified with. I left home to live in a city I never stepped foot in and knew very little about. I only knew that it could get “windy”, had “big shoulders” and that the people who lived in it were the some of the most down-to-earth folks you’ll ever meet in a big town.
Though I still consider myself a “New Yorker”—I’m thankful for the experience of shaking things up for myself and moving to a town which has been very good to me over the years. It wasn’t always easy and I still occasionally get homesick—but it’s an experience I’m thankful for. One that’s helped me grow in ways I never anticipated. Sometimes we have to look back in order to appreciate experiences for what they actually are.
So, what experience are you thankful for?
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I’m thankful for my six-month-old daughter. In a few weeks she’ll start crawling, which could translate to even less blogging. All eyes will be on the baby. Like a hawk.
I would like to thank two creative directors who decided to fire me from McCann-Erickson about 6 years ago. Without their help, I would still be making TV ads for Procter & Gamble.
LOL.
Tamir, your comment added a whole other dimension to this post. But since you’re out of the 30 second spot game–well then I’d like to thank the creative directors that fired you as well.
I’d like to add this quote from Aldous Huxley: “Experience is not what happens to a man, but what a man does with what happens to him.”…I totally agree with that and I’d like to add to I’m grateful not only for the good experiences but for all experiences that had an impact!
I’m thankful for getting to be able to be there when my daughter was born and to get to be able to cut the umbilical chord and to have been able to hold the hand of one of my dearest aunts (and greatest friends) when she passed away. I’ve been blessed in many ways in my life, even if hard to recognize at the moment, but I am most thankful for those two entries and exits in this world and how they changed me (for the better) as a person.
Dear David:
Thank you for this amazing post. And thank you everyone else for sharing your amazing experiences.
I’m thankful for all my friends. They make my life so beautiful and enriched, wherever they are.
Hi David,
Greetings from calm-after-the-storm Hampshire, England.
Two things I’m thankful for worth commenting on, from the many possibilities.
1. Inspiring role models. These come from all walks of life and cover any manner of human attribute, whether it is Nigela Lawson’s adoration of good food, Anna Farmery’s insatiable lust for life (Google ‘The Engaging Brand’ if you haven’t experienced Anna), or my son’s ‘out of nowhere’ questions.
2. Serendipity. Those things, often very small, that are unexpected but that make me smile and reflect – such as your tweet yesterday about how pleased you had been with the response to this post!
Happy Thanksgiving, Ronna
Experience ? To have been in Somalia, to have been in Darfur, to have been in a refugee camp… in Brazzaville when time where not good at all there…
No, no… Not for what the people would think about that, not for the way that people usually are looking at those experieces (quite often far form a certain reality…)…
But for having seen the world from the other side of the net, from the other side of the telescope… from a different reality…
David
I will be eternally grateful for being brought up on a small farm in rural Lincolshire, England.
It taught me to work hard even when you think you are exhausted, to own problems and find ways to fix them when there is no solution in sight and to know when to ask for help from friends when the problem is just too big for one man.
It also taught me that it is the whole of life that matters, not just the individual parts.
Graham Hill
I’m thankful that, after decades of fruitlessly trying to battle depression, a few years ago I was prescribed an anti-depressant that completely changed my life.
I’m thankful for a wonderful and faithful wife who has stuck it out with me, brought our 5 sons into the world, and who is still the delight of my eyes and heart.
I’m thankful for the grace of God.
[...] Yesterday, in light of the American Thanksgiving celebrations, David Armano asked his community what they were thankful for. [...]
I’m thankful for the experience of being a parent and having the incredible opportunity to play and see the world through the eyes of a child again.
Professionally, I’m thankful for my co-workers and the daily inspiration they provide to bring spectacular experiences to life for our clients.
Wow, what a great read! It’s not easy picking just one experience that I am thankful for as there are many. Like a few others have already said, the experience of reliving childhood through the eyes of my own child is one I cherish deeply. It gives me perspective on what it was like for my parents. Like my father, I know the things that she will experience; love, rejection, sadness, rebelliousness, joy. Some of these experience will be painful (for everybody), but they will be hers. I won’t be able to protect her from the hurtful ones, but when they happen, I will know what she is feeling and will be there for her. Hopefully, there will be many more happy experiences and I’m really looking forward to those. Finally, there will be those experience that will be great for her, but quite emotional for her mom and me, like when she moves out to be on her own. But hey, that’s life.
I also want to say I am thankful for the experience of joining a community of wonderful people, like yourself, who I have met over the past 2 years and who have been a great source of inspiration and support.
I’ve been taking these long, meandering, many-mile walks home from work for the past year. And it’s made me extraordinarily thankful to live in Chicago. I appreciate its varied neighborhoods, always interesting architecture, safe streets, and the smells from the Blommer Chocolate, Gonnella Bread and Vienna Beef factories.
It’s a long way to go for this formerly car-bound Californian.
I’m thankful for not waiting to make it the right time–but instead making NOW the right time. Nearly 8 years ago, after grad school, I decided to go out on my own rather than take a full-time job (which would have been soooo much easier, but far less fulfilling).
Many dear friends and colleagues encourged me to wait for the right time…but I explained that too many wait. I just prefer to leap.
Wishing everyone a very thankful holiday–there are too many blessings to count, which is another BIG thing I give thanks for
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[...] What are you thankful for? [...]
Many but the one that comes to mind is this:
I am thankful for the inexplicable nature of fate, for the fun and sharp turns that life takes.
I was given a chance by Jeff Greenwald at Sun Microsystems (he is no longer at Sun) as an intern several years ago. I ran into him while teaching Sunday school at the synagogue. I needed an internship so I approached him after Rebecca, my wife, mentioned that he was wearing a Sun Microsystems t-shirt. I didn’t even know if he actually worked at Sun or not. I was still in college and had no experience whatsoever. Jeff took a chance on me and I am thankful for that and to my wife for mentioning it. That single encounter has probably influenced my professional career more than any other.
I am no longer at Sun Micro but it continues to be dear to my heart as it was my first job on the technology business.
I’m thankful that my son will be out of his body cast next Tuesday; that my colleagues have allowed me to push the envelope; that my wife was the one that encouraged me to push the envelope; that my cousin is finally home from Iraq and with his own family; that there are brave servicemen and servicewomen representing my country throughout the world; that 2007 was better than 2006, which was better than 2005, which was better than 2004…you catch my drift
[...] in Canada), Armano asked people to share what makes them thankful. Posted just yesterday, “Thankful Experiences” has garnered 62 comments, which Armano reflects upon [...]
Discovering Books where you are the Hero…this narrative skills helped me define one of my first passion in life….Telling stories bits by bits and giving choices to the reader….
I started to create Hyperlink when I was 8 in 1980….using Books….
Books and Words are still mysteries to me
[...] Posted on November 21, 2007. Yesterday, ahead of the US Thanksgiving holiday, David Armano posed one of those great conversation starters to the community what follows his company’s blog, ExperienceMatters. The simple question: What Experience Are You Thankful For? [...]
I’m thankful for more things than will fit in this space, but am thankful that I am able to share my thoughts with total strangers in spaces like these…to be part of conversations with people from different situations, learning from one another. It’s a big time to be alive…and for that I am thankful.
That’s an easy one, DA. I’m thankful that life is still full of the unexpected more than the expected. Makes for a much more fulfilling experience.
Paul, you are wise beyond your years.
Chip, it’s experiences like this that move us beyond “total strangers” to feeling like we know each other. Maybe we do, more than we know…
I am thankful to Indiana University, Bloomington. The education I received there was terrific. Coming out of a CS degree straight into an interactive media design program was tough, since neither was I a complete code monkey nor was I a full blown artist. But the classes and more importantly the faculty help me discover my strengths.
My masters education was truly a life changing event for me and I am very thankful to IU, the department of T’Comm and the School of Informatics (which, btw I think has one of the better Interaction design programs). This education defines me and I will remain proud of it forever!
What am I thankful for? That’s the question I ask myself every day. By asking….I notice. And I feel. And I know I am so blessed. Which gives me more room to give.
I am most thankful that I can feel thankful.
Imagine what a waste all our good fortune would be, if we couldn’t appreciate it. If we couldn’t get that lump in our throat as we watch our children grow, or feel the comfort of holding hands, or hugging a friend and feeling the depth of that connection.
What makes those moments so remarkable is that we not only feel the immediate emotion — but we also feel the gratitude for that moment.
It’s like hitting the double jackpot.
Drew
[...] C’mon, don’t give me a ‘Miss America’ answer; what’s an event, a growth point, an ‘aha’ moment you’ve had firsthand? We ALL know experience matters!) [...]
In 1999, I crossed the ocean and landed in the homeland of my great grandparents for a short visit. Now Lebanon is still a wonderful place, but it has changed much from the place my grandmother grew up in. The house she lived in as a child needs substantial work thanks to the Syrian Army, and the Christian town she grew up in still feels the mood of a country in turmoil. I can honestly say that it was the most challenging and most wonderful trip I have ever taken. Not a moment went by where I felt totally safe! Israel helped in this regard by bombing the power stations while we tired to sleep the first real night we were there. And yet it was a wonderful journey behind the news to see what is so wonderful about Lebanon.
So what am I most thankful for.. not really the trip.. but the reason for the trip. It was close to three weeks after we first arrived in Beirut that my wife, my mother, and I boarded a plane coming home to the States.. we were tired.. and ready for the security and warmth of the USA.. and we were carrying one extra package.. my adopted son.. Nikolas!
[...] Thankful Experiences A must-read for the comments. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! (tags: experiencematters, davidarmano, experiences) [...]
A month ago I flew cross-country on business, taking the opportunity to visit an old college friend in San Fran. We were very close 20 years ago, but we hadn’t seen each other in person in over a decade. This was the first time I finally got to meet his wife and three kids.
Ten days after I left for home, my friend passed away as the result of the cancer he had been battling the past year. Despite his condition, this event came as something of a surprise.
I’m thankful that I had that one coincidental opportunity to see my friend in person one last time. His widow and I have since begun a great friendship based on mutual support.
The world is made up of both science and magic, and I’m thankful that it’s pretty much impossible to tell the difference sometimes.
I’m grateful that I’ve met so many of the dynamic people in this thread. So many of you have taught me so much and made my world so much richer.
Thank you all.
This many great comments on a post about gratitude is something for which I am truly thankful.
I am thankful for a number of things at this moment in my life. First I am thankful for the skilled surgeon (and his team) who performed a very successful full gastrectomy (complete stomach removal) back in August. I am also thankful for my textbook recovery and being able to enjoy eating most things that I use to eat, with some minor modifications of course.
I am also thankful for the age we live in. I love the “internet age” of wide open communicating/discussing/connecting. I blogged about my recovery and experience and was able to connect with other people going through a similar ordeal and dealing with similar concerns/questions.
I am thankful for having a healthy & happy family and somewhat jealous of the age my children will grow up in
[...] Thankful Experiences at Experience Matters via Tame the Web, the human converation and a reminder about why I love the web (tags: thanksgiving) [...]
This past year has been a roller-coaster. I’m thankful for a patient and loving wife that has been my often hidden pillar of strength and encouragement as I’ve been through a year that’s seen me spend a bit too much time away from home. And balance is something I’m working on which is why I’m coming to this post a bit late.
I thankful for having wonderful and healthy children that still get a glint in their eye every morning when they pop out of bed and look forward to whatever the day will bring and the adventures will have together, which can range from raking leaves, going on a bike ride, or designing an army of killer robots with legos or pretending to have high tea in the afternoon with a collection of Webkinz.
I’m thankful that I had the chance to say goodbye to people that are no longer with me this year and be able to support friends and loved ones through the difficult times of losing someone. I’m thankful I got to spend more time with my brother this year (By Christmas, I will have seen him three times this year) which is no mean feat considered he’s in the Military and currently living in Bahrain.
And finally, as cheesy as it sounds I’m thankful that I got a wonderful opportunity to do something I truly love at a company that’s given me the flexibility to try to change the world on my own terms. I suspect even if I was somewhere else that I’d still have met some incredible people, including the many that have posted comments here (Like Dave Crow, Dave Malouf and Allard to name a few) but also the 100s of other people that I’ve met over the past 10 months, dozens of whom have truly turned into great friends.
I’m not old, but I’m not young anymore either and I feel thankful (and truth be told, LUCKY)that I work in a time and environment that make me feel young and excited again, every day and that I’ve got a great family and group of professional colleagues and personal friends to share it with.
As a fellow NYer, I’m thankful I’ve found a great new home in Chicago. (Although I’m not 100% sold on the hot dogs out here…)
During my day job, I do UI/IA work at DTAS. Outside of work, I write my blog about identity theft… something I’m passionate about since I’ve been a victim.
So, I am thankful to IBM for losing my sensitive data during a data breach. It got me blogging with a purpose. I am thankful to a higher power for a sense of humor… I named my blog, I’ve Been Mugged, in honor of IBM.
And, I’m thankful to the blogosphere. I’ve learned a lot and blogging has helped me organize my thoughts and learnings about a complicated subject: identity theft and corporate responsibility. And, I’ve met a lot of really nice, helpful, and creative bloggers. I’m looking forward to the APril 2008 social in my home town: NYC.
I too lived in Chicago… Hyde Park on the south side. The town has great steaks, jazz, and blues.
Great post topic. Wish that I’d thought of it.
George
http://ivebeenmugged.typepad.com
Experiences to be thankful for rather than things? Excellent idea!
I’m thankful for the experience of losing my religion during college and my early-20s. While my friends had a lot of parties and bad relationships, I systematically took apart and questioned what I’d been taught. That not only radically changed the direction I was headed in, but put me into my mid-20s unusually settled and at peace with myself. I’m especially glad that I did it by thinking rather than rebelling with drugs and sex and whatnot. My parents’ acceptance and support through that, whilst rejecting what they hold dear, was a sacrifice of love that I’m humbled by.
I’m grateful to depression for forcing me to break out of perfectionism and people-pleasing. It taught me that it’s okay to fail, to be human, to not be so stridently self-reliant.
Im thankful that i found this site..
[...] Ready For Anything Who would have known that our most commented on post would have been the shortest? Or that our most viewed post would have been about Flash technology? [...]
[...] year I asked if there was an experience you were thankful for. But that was then, and this is now. These are the times to be truly thankful for what we have [...]