My 5 Gifts in Los Angeles on Thanksgiving

I am in LA right now with Vijay. This is the first Thanksgiving that I will be away from my family. For the past two years, I have sponsored a family for Thanksgiving. It has been a beautiful, rewarding experience every time. Tonight, on the eve of Thanksgiving, I decided to help some people in need here in LA.

I was driving near Santa Montica Boulevard looking for people to help. After some time driving, I saw a man sitting outside a Boston Market on a bench. I pulled my SUV over to the side of the road. It was very cool tonight in LA. I walked up to the gentleman, said hello and asked him if he was hungry. His name was Jim. He said, "Yes" and I said, "Let's go inside where it is warm and get some food!" Jim was about 6' 1'', weighed about 250 lbs. and if I were to guess, would be in his late 40's. He looked and smelled like he had been on the streets for quite some time. Jim smiled back and followed me inside. While in line with my new friend, I told him to order anything that he wanted. I asked him what he thought looked good and he decided to order the turkey plate for three. It came with three sides as well as a few pieces of corn bread. Jim also decided to have a large Coke. I stood there in line with Jim as a very proud man. You see, my spirit was strong and alive in me tonight. I was on a mission of service that could not be broken.

The look on Jim's face as he held his large, brown bag stuffed full of warm, delicious food was enough to bring tears to my eyes. While Jim was waiting on his food, I had purchased five $20 Boston Market gift cards that were to be my little presents tonight. Boston Market is open for Thanksgiving!

As we both walked outside, Jim still clutching his big bag of food, I revealed to Jim the real reason he is holding his warm dinner tonight. I told Jim that you are only eating this meal tonight because of what's going on in my heart. Jim started to thank me, but I interrupted him. I told him to not thank me, just look up and send your thank you in that direction. Glory doesn't come to me. Glory only goes up!

I shook my new friends hand and wished him well. I pulled out of my pocket one of my five $20 gift cards. I told Jim to eat all of his food tonight and please enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner here again tomorrow. Jim smiled at me one more time, holding his bag of food, his $20 gift card and turned and walked out of site.

I had four other experiences like this one tonight. Some were very thankful and some were not as much. We never know what a kind gesture might do for a person now or at a later time. All we can do is to remain in spirit and believe that you have made a difference.

Tonight, I was able to feed five people for Thanksgiving. I believe we are all here to give hope to those in need and to inspire the broken. My challenge for you is to be a person who takes action in all of your thoughts. Be a person who is in the "front line" and when all others hesitate, say, "I'll do it!" If you have that take charge/take action mindset, you will take your life, business, body, relationships, fulfillment, finance and spirit to a whole new, higher level. You will be so far ahead of the "pack", no one will be able to catch you!

I am a very long way from home. Maybe being away from my family this Thanksgiving helped save a life on a cold, dark night in LA. I will never know. Thanksgiving is about being with those you love and celebrating life with them. I want to wish all of you the happiest of Thanksgivings and may you laugh and enjoy your special day with the ones you love. Thank you so much for being a part of this site! May God bless you!