03/18/2025
My Holiday Message:
"Walking the grounds of Gratitude,
I came upon the Palace of Happiness."
I wrote that sentence some 20 years ago, when I realized what you probably already know:
Enduring happiness can be found only by exploring what makes you feel grateful.
With that in mind, and in the spirit of the holidays, I would like to say THANK YOU for being in my community.
You are a big part of my gratitude for life.
Every day, I am deeply appreciative for the opportunity to serve you.
I want you to know that it's all your kind notes and your daily efforts, struggles, progress and victories that inspire me most.
Life isn't easy.
We all struggle more than those around us may know.
But difficulty and adversity are part of the journey. All we can do is honor that struggle, to use it as a mirror to learn about ourselves and better ourselves.
And, if we can find the courage, we can use our struggles to ready ourselves to serve others.
That's what I've tried to do with my career.
I wasn't a natural candidate to do this work.
I wasn't a good writer.
I sucked at speaking on video.
I never had a marketing class.
I was just a kid when I began this 20-plus years ago.
I was terrified when I left a "regular" job to start my entrepreneurial career as a writer and trainer.
I didn't know what I was doing.
I failed a lot.
I didn't have a lot of resources. (Though plenty of doubters).
But one simple power fueled my passion and growth:
I was simply grateful for the opportunity.
I had survived car accidents, brain injuries, business failures, heartbreaks, and daily fights with fear....
It was gratitude for a second chance at life and for the opportunity to serve that kept me going.
It was the honor I felt when you wrote in, when you commented, when you shared my work, when you said,
"Thank you, Brendon, your work made a difference today."
Today, on behalf of my entire team and our millions of students around the world, I thank you for being with us.
I can't think of a more important time in history than right now where positive, inclusive and courageous voices are needed.
We need you out there, living your best life and serving others.
If you ever struggle to do that, tap into gratitude.
Let gratitude be your guide.
Let gratitude lead you to your passions and your highest calling.
It brought me to you.
It brought us together.
It's how we'll heal the world.
It can be such a simple thing. Call someone you love. Share your appreciation for them.
Write a few pages in a journal tonight about all the struggles you've survived and all the blessings you've been given.
Look someone in the eye today, say Thank You. Embrace them sincerely.
Please accept this note as my appreciation and virtual hug.
Sending you and your family warm wishes for a happy holiday season.
With love,
Brendon
