11 NOVEMBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® The “Idiots” Corner by “Billy Bob Smith” Well folks, it’s the “Thanks for everything” time. First, it’s Thanksgiving, then Christmas, and New Years Eve and Day. Is everyone thankful for something? It depends. Are some folks not thankful for anything? Same answer. And are many of us just thankful for what we have? Same answer. During the year, I have shared with you a variety of stupid things we do and don’t do. And yes, a few stupid things might be okay to do, but this month I thought I would focus on a simple idea - the concept of living a thankful life. Or, how a few “idiots” might want to reconsider changing in some way for the better. A few thoughts on stupid Thanks: • When you look back over the years, do you feel any regret or remorse for not showing someone gratitude or thanks for something they did? Wish you could do a reset on that? • Has a relationship over the years not stayed healthy due to a thankless attitude or actions? • Have you done many things for others and never received what you felt should be a simple thank-you? I could go on with a variety of these kinds of questions, but how about the positive side? Just a few quick ones: • The medical profession, after a great deal of research, said people who live with a “thankful spirit” tend to get sick less and live longer. • Relationships which display gratitude tend to last longer and be healthier. • Showing gratitude or thanks can reduce stress levels and increase inner peace. • Conflicts can be managed better, easier, and faster when parties include attitudes of thankfulness. • Showing gratitude and thanks, whatever the act, will tend to have others increase their positive actions toward you. • Showing thanks and gratitude will tend to improve others’ respect or opinions of you. Here are a couple personal things some folks over the years have done for me because of my demonstrated gratitude: • Several years ago, I was flying to another country for a vacation and while I was sitting in the gate area, I watched a fellow scream and berate the gate agent because we were leaving late. I went up to her and said, “I want to apologize for that idiot’s behavior - you deserve better.” Then I went back to my seat. A few minutes later, she came up to me and asked for my ticket, saying she was upgrading me to first class. Go figure. • I talked for a few minutes with a couple’s young child while eating in a restaurant and told him how smart I thought he was plus a few other positives, then went back to my seat. They left after a while and I asked the server for my check, and she said, “I’m sorry, but the couple paid for your meal.” I asked her why and she said, “I don’t know, they just said put your bill on their credit card.” I could give you many more positive and negative stories I have experienced or observed, but I’m sure I have made my point. And that would be just in case you haven’t figured it out - That a thankful spirit, thankful actions, gratitude for the big things as well as the little things others do for you, or you do for them, make a positive difference in others’ lives. So please, this season, say thank-you to others for anything they do for you and don’t get your panties in a wad if they don’t say thank-you to you for something. Billy Bob Contact him via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com TGWA Annual Convention January 23-26, 2024 San Marcos Conference Center - San Marcos, TX Tuesday, January 23, 2024 12pm - 5pm Exhibitor Setup www.tgwa.org Wednesday, January 24, 2024 8am - Noon Continuing Education Classes 2pm - 5pm Exhibits Open - Meet and Greet with Exhibitors 5:30pm TGWA Scholarship Foundation Auction Thursday, January 25, 2024 8:30am - 11am Exhibits Open 12pm - 1:30pm Awards Luncheon 1:30pm - 5:30pm Continuing Education Classes 6:30pm Social Event Friday, January 26, 2024 8am - Noon Meetings (Schedule is tentative and subject to change.)
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