On this Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for possibility.
I’m not sure why this has always been my instinct, but I’m always looking around the next corner. Relentlessly exploring uncharted territory. Constantly pursuing the next big thing.
This is what I find myself so thankful for these days. A life filled with possibility, where every day, week, month, and year can produce enormous change. A life filled with things that I am doing and still want to do.
Today, I’m thankful for the three books I’m writing, the brand new novel publishing in January, and the paperback of my last novel publishing in February.
I’m thankful for the musical I’m writing with a friend. A musical we hope to perform someday even though I cannot sing.
I’m thankful for the solo show I’m writing and workshopping with a team of brilliant people.
I’m thankful for the work I do almost daily with corporations, nonprofits, universities, and individuals. Attorneys, marketers, ministers, politicians, producers, writers, performers, and even Santa Clauses. Consulting, coaching, and teaching them to communicate more effectively.
I’m thankful for the three unpublished books and the pile of children’s books and short stories I still hope to publish someday. The film options on three of my books. The writing and consulting that I have done on professional stage shows.
Some of these projects may blossom. Some may wither. Maybe all of them. But it’s the idea of possibility that I appreciate so much. The knowledge that the future is filled with promise and potential.
I’m always looking to push into new fields. Try new things. Learn, expand, and grow.
I studied the stock market for three years before investing for the first time in January 2018. Since that first purchase, it’s been an exciting, fascinating, and profitable endeavor. As I approach my third anniversary in the market, I’ve more than doubled the returns of the S&P. I understand how business and the economy operate like never before.
It’s an enormous part of my life that didn’t exist just a few years ago.
This desire and willingness to expand my boundaries led me to become a wedding DJ, minister, notary, and life coach. It led me to write musicals and a rock opera with a friend and (strangely enough) begin performing in musicals as well.
It led me to play poker in a serious, semi-professional, and profitable way. It led me to become a columnist at both Slate and Seasons magazines. Co-found Speak Up with Elysha. Launch our storytelling podcast.
This desire for possibility led me to begin telling stories onstage in the first place, which fundamentally changed my life forever.
This year, I’ve learned to cook, expanding my knowledge beyond pasta, burgers, and hot dogs. I’m not very good and still have a lot to learn, but I’ve cooked dozens of things this year that I had never cooked before.
Always be looking around the corner. Always seek to explore uncharted territory. Invest a small but consistent amount of time and effort into the next grand scheme.
Today’s new frontiers include breaking down the doors of college universities, where I want to teach future educators about the things that really matter. Finding a way into the seemingly impenetrable realm of MasterClass, where I want to create a storytelling class. Selling a screenplay.
None of these may happen. Many of my ideas wither and die on the vine.
But it’s possibility that I am thankful for today. The idea that the future holds new and unknown surprises.
I cannot recommend this highly enough. If you feel stagnant this Thanksgiving, spend a few moments today thinking about your next adventure. It could be as simple as learning to knit or finally understanding Schrodinger’s cat. Maybe you could learn to play a musical instrument or study a new language. Take the first steps in launching that side hustle you’ve dreamed about for years. Study photography or plant a garden.
The list of possibilities is endless.
On this Thanksgiving, I am thankful that my list of possibilities is seemingly endless, too.
