A Few of the Finer Things - February 2019

Thanks A Thousand

I read a great book over the December holiday break. We were about to go on a family vacation and my wife suggested that I needed a “light” book to take my mind off of work, the markets and all that was causing a bit of stress in my life. I had heard a guest on one of my favorite podcasts (Unorthodox: Episode 158 - Nov 15, 2018 ) who was the author of a book that I wrote down on my list to read and decided this would be my vacation read…I could not have been happier with my choice.

The book is Thanks A Thousand: A Gratitude Journey by A.J. Jacobs. A.J. is a New York Times bestselling author who had a deceptively simple idea…he thoroughly enjoys his morning cup of coffee and he decided to thank every single person involved in producing it. The resulting journey takes him across the globe, transforms his life and reveals secrets about how gratitude can make us all happier, more generous and more connected.

By A.J.’s count, he thanked 1,031 people—everyone involved: the farmers who plant the coffee beans, the people who build the buildings where beans are roasted, the road workers and engineers who build the roads and bridges that enable the beans to be trucked, the port workers, the safety patrol, the roasters, the cup makers, the baristas…you get the point.

It is an incredibly sweet story that makes for some very funny interactions…like when he called the exterminating company that sprays the warehouse and thanked them since he’s never found mice or rodents in his coffee and he was grateful for that. He got some interesting reactions from a lot of people, but most truly felt validated that what they did was important and made a difference.

He also does something that I have put into practice…every day he and his mother exchange emails listing something they are grateful for…could be simply a comfortable pair of new shoes or the health of her grandchildren. My mother and I have been exchanging emails for a few weeks and it is incredibly gratifying.

I have written in this space many times about Donor Advised Funds and my family’s community involvement. Debbie and I truly do try to live a philanthropic and grateful life…this book was a great reinforcement.

Thanks A Thousand: A Gratitude Journey (Amazon)

– Gary Weiss, February 2019