It was one year ago, last Thanksgiving, when I was teaching/mentoring my students on the value of gratitude. While they were expecting lessons in pronunciation, I threw them an unexpected twister with this question: “Right here, right now, at this very moment, what are you grateful for? For the next 15 minutes, make a list, and begin writing your thoughts”.
First reaction without thought, the class burst into laughter, and I purposely joined in to share in their mystified enthusiasm. One student said: “Teacher, how will this improve our speaking skills in English”? I then replied: “First, answer my question by making a list of all that you are grateful for, and I promise that the exercise itself will reveal the answer to your question once you are actively involved”. Needless to say, the student looked more puzzled with my answer, while intrigued at the same time.
Well, during this session, they all looked at each other befuddled, and could not find themselves to stop laughing. Until, one student shouted out, “oh.. oh… I know… I am grateful for my expensive car”. Then another jumped with excitement and said, “ooh… ooh.. my blackberry phone, yeah… yeah, this is cool, I like this assignment” … to … “my video games” … to … “my big screen plasma T.V.” … to … “money my parents give me” … and more. …
As the students were joyously and laughingly expressing the things they were grateful for, I sat their observing their expressions. While thrilled in hearing them articulate their thoughts in English as opposed to speaking in their native language, I was more enthused about their upcoming reactions to the set of thought provoking questions I was about to ask them next:
“Are you grateful to be alive today? For having eyes to see? Ears to hear? Tongue to speak? Senses to smell, touch, and taste? Legs to walk? Oxygen to breathe? Parents who love you? Parents who give you money to buy things like blackberry cell phones, video games, large screen t.v.-s, expensive cars? For experiencing love and care with family and friends? For friendships right here in this class room? For being able to express your thoughts with feeling in English as a result of this lesson on gratitude?
15+ students in one room, and all you can hear is absolute silence and see shock on their faces!
The student who asked the question on how this assignment will improve their speaking skills in English, stood up and said: “Annie, thank you. I spoke more English today then in any of my English classes in school … and … I have learned a valuable lesson on gratitude”.
One week later, on a Saturday, midnight hour, here I am in the studio working on the last five tracks for completing the production of Legends in Excellence CD – the audio series, until I receive this call from another student of mine, to tell me this: “Annie, I am calling you from the airport … (as you hear the shakes in his voice) … Annie … (pauses again) … I am flying back home … (pause) … family emergency … (pause) … my father died in a car accident … (pause) … I am the only child, the only son … (pause) … have to fly back home to take care of my mom, and figure out funeral arrangements … Annie, just last week, you were teaching us about the value of gratitude and we were laughing … and now… it is too late for me to say ‘thank you’ to my father … (pause) … I want to say ‘thank you’ to you Annie, as my best teacher, and for this important lesson in life. I will never forget this lesson and will tell all my friends back home”.
My response was: “It is never too late to express your gratitude, and it all starts from the inside. What matters is that you are showing your thankfulness by great action right now. Here you are, leaving your friends, your school, the state all within seconds of a responsible decision, to go back home and step into your father’s shoes to take care of your mom and family. Know your father is proud of you, and has always recognized the greatness in you. Today, you are witnessing what your father and mother saw in you all along! When you see your mom, hug her, thank her for giving you life with all your love” This is what true, DAILY Thanksgiving is all about”!
Friends, I pray this message has touched your hearts, your lives on a profound level. Regardless of what conflicts you have with your loved ones, while you are alive, be grateful for your family and friends now, not tomorrow!
May You Be Blessed Exponentially with Peace, Grace, and Joy in your lives during this Thanksgiving season, and remember to make Thanksgiving a daily value in your lives. Once a year is a great start … now you have the choice to take it beyond … JUST BECAUSE … because you can!
I am grateful to our Father in Heaven for the priceless gifts of all of you in my life, and I thank YOU for who you are, as you are, just the way you are … you are beautiful!
Annie Armen
Listen to this Audio Archive Featuring Several of Annie’s Students