‘Tis the week before Thanksgiving, maybe my favorite holiday. So much so that I try to celebrate it every day in a small way. I make a short list of things I’m grateful for.
So today I’m going to share a typical daily gratitude list with you. I invite you to leave a comment below with some things you’re grateful for.
My daughter Veda…
She spent 47 days in the hospital, battling the demon of methadone addiction. And won. Now she’s healthy and awesome and funny and beautiful.
Everywhere we go she makes friends with people.
It’s like the whole world opens up. I know that every parent things their kid is special, and they are. But there’s something almost bizarre about how she smiles and laughs at strangers and wins them over.
Health
I’ve had a few small issues with my back. They seem to be resolved. To have a minor health problem is a blessing because it reminds you of how amazing your life is when you’re healthy.
My Wife Melissa
Funny, easy-to-be-with, practical, has her s@#t together and is a fighter when it matters.
Music
It just keeps on giving. Always new things to discover and old favorites to reconnect with.
Current music things I’m loving:
- Learning piano
- Playing guitar for Veda
- My favorite Discoveries of 2023 on Spotify
- Seeing a great folky rock band called the Lumineers this year
FiddleHed
So many great people that I’ve gotten to know through the group lessons and private conversations. It’s definitely a co-learning situation.
And I’m grateful that I get to do this as my job. It incorporates all the stuff I’ve done since I was a kid: writing, making music, illustration and lots of learning.
Friends
I reconnected with three high school friends for a trip to Charleston. So happy that so many great old friends are still in my life.
Teachers
My dad taught me to be friendly.
My mom taught me to work hard.
My wife Melissa taught me to ask the waiter what his name is.
Rick Rubin taught me that creativity happens when you let go (of what you think it should be).
Derek Sivers who taught me to look at customer service as the core of business. And also to use the Hell Yeah Or No filter: If you feel anything less than “hell yeah!” about something, say no.
Thich Nhat Hanh taught me that washing the dishes can be a great spiritual practice.
Carol Dweck taught me that we can always learn and grow. We just have to realize this and choose a growth mindset.
Big Little Things
🌅 Morning sunlight
☕️ Coffee
😴 Sleep (when it happens)
🧘🏽♀️ Meditation practice
😂 Frankenstein’s Lab (comedy reaction videos)
🏡 Finally living in our home
😍 And I’m thankful that YOU are reading and taking part in FiddleHed.
Don’t forget to share something you’re grateful for below…🙏
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HI Jas’n, so happy to see your lovely family and glad that your sweet Veda is doing so well. Your kindness and sharing of the fiddle has always been appreciated, you are the best, bar none, teacher of this music. I signed up last May, and summer was a rush, so I wanted to practice but put it aside for just a “bit”. I am so grateful that you are helping all of us learn to understand and play the fiddle. And I am grateful for the joy that I feel when I practice. Also I am forever grateful for my loving and supportive hubby, for our darling SpoilerKat, for enjoying this most wonderful life .. sunshine, greenhouse, growing plants, walking in the sun, Plus, grateful that I am going to plant more garlic in the greenhouse before the frost arrives.
Hey Jason. I am thankful for this great season in my life. My home, marriage, kids, and finally having time for my music. This includes how much I am learning from Fiddlehed!!! I am an intermediate player but have been going through the beginner lessons to pick up things I missed before. So amazingly helpful!
I have joined some jam sessions with my mandolin and working up to bringing my fiddle. Just about ready for that.
Thankful!
Right up there on a list too long to share are my strung along fiddle friends and the fiddlehed community!
Counting our blessings every day, it is even important as playing every day.
I am grateful that I have the chance to help people in my job as a pharmacist
But even more when I can recharge by playing music
and that I can enjoy the fun lessons of Fiddlehed.
And there are still many small and big things that I am grateful for
Sometimes we just forget how lucky we are
Grateful to take some time to think about it again
So big thanks!!
( also to google translate 😉 )
I’m grateful for my husband of 14 1/2 years and that he’s willing to be get involved with my music. I’m grateful for my church and church family. I’m grateful for where I live in the beautiful PNW and my warm cozy home. I’m also grateful for Fiddlehed and how I’ve improved since getting involved. 😌
Everyday there is so much to be thankful for, I love your “categories”–
Family, all the love even with the challenges
Health–my fingers mostly still work! Grateful for my Jeanne doctor
Music–my medicine for living
Teachers–yes, Thich Naht Hahn taught me how to breathe
Mr. Graubard taught me how to learn
My children taught me about myself
My bees taught me how to move slow
My students have brought me joy
Friends–where would I be without them?
Water, Sun, Clean air
Thank you, Jason!
Hi Jason!
I am grateful for Fiddlehed, and all babies, including your beautiful daughter and my 1 year old granddaughter Johanna, who brings such joy into her every day! I am grateful for my dog, who gets me out in nature every day, and shares his playfulness and joy with me. I live near the ocean, so I am grateful for the two beaches near me, and also for meditation, family, and musical friends, and of course – so grateful for music!
Re: your back – my physio told me to set my alarm for every hour to get up and move – stretch, touch your toes (knees bent), do some yoga. And thanks, Vicki – I will be checking out those “Jen Hilman lower back” videos too!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Jason – I have 4 words for you “Jen Hilman lower back”. I was told I have 4th degree disk degeneration and would need a chiropractor for the rest of my life. Instead, I do Jen Hilman yoga videos. Some of her videos are 100% seated and I attribute my ability to walk painless to mostly ONE pose….💖 Supine Spinal 💖.
I am so incredibly grateful for all members of Fiddlehed. I’ve practiced every single day since the FPC last month and it’s been my favorite outlet since becoming caretaker of my mom which has really broke me down to ground zero.
I am grateful for my daughter Kelsey who lights up every room and makes everyone feel seen. And my partner Bryan who makes me want to be a better person every day so that I may return to him a fraction of the joy he has brought to my life.
To my bestie Jill who empowered to turn down a round I hadn’t had the courage to do before meeting her. If you don’t have a witch in your life, go find one today.
And finally to my pupper Oliver. This little guy has spent 11 years loving me unconditionally and I love sniffing his neck each morning 💖
Love to all my fellow Musicians 💕💕💕
Grateful for my health today and that despite many joint issues, I can still play fiddle and participate in Fiddlehed, Strung Alongs and with some friend musicians. Grateful for my kids and grandkids and that I can travel to visit them. I love the State and National parks here in Virginia, where I love to wander and I’m grateful for that. Grateful that a puppy may soon be in my future.
Owen- I just said this morning we have to go back to Galax Rails to Trails 💖💖💖 we are in Pisgah Forest NC
I am so grateful to live in such a beautiful place – the Pacific Northwest. Grateful to have raised two healthy children with a loving partner. Grateful to have found the Fiddlehed community and to be having such fun learning music. Thank you everyone for sharing!
PNW is so magical – we got to spend a year of Vanlife in Oregon 2019 🪄✨🌟✨🌟✨🌟
My first fiddle teacher, Del Bassett, recently passed at the golden age of 90. I am so grateful to have had him as a teacher and a friend. He taught me much about “Faith, Family, and Fiddle” in that order.
Grateful for my wife Ann, two fabulous stepdaughters, Caitlin and Kyah, and two “fabulouser” granddaughters, Amelia, and Eleanor.
Just turned 70 myself, and besides the aches and pains of arthritis in my hips, fingers, and shoulders, I am in good health.
Grateful for the knowledge of Jason. Learning so much more!