I suppose that by now most everyone has heard what everyone else is thankful for; God, country, family, friends, health, and so on. However, being an entrepreneur, I am thankful for those things, but I think I'd like to be thankful for them from the business side. Please bear with me...

GOD. Enough said. He allows me the wisdom to be a professional, and provides enough opportunities to make this venture successful. I think He also allows me enough room to make mistakes that I learn from.

COUNTRY. Where else could I do what I do?

FAMILY. Some would say an endless supply of prospects, but my family is gracious enough to bear with me and give me the time I need to be successful.

FRIENDS. I have enough pats on the back and attaboys to last a lifetime, but I never have enough friends that give me constructive criticism and let me bounce ideas off of them.

HEALTH. Have you ever worked through a day while fighting a head cold? Kidney stones?? Stomach flu??? Health is grossly underestimated in this business! Were it not for a clear head and a strong back, the work day would be impossible to get through.

As that is the last of the common list, let me add one more: compassion. If I could not see my customers for the people they are rather than the potential commission they represent, this would be a pretty sour business. An agent friend of mine in Colorado has this statement on the back of the hats he gives away: "SELLING COVERAGES, NOT PREMIUMS". Well stated, my friend.