inspiration

The Aster Street Garden Project

October 13, 2015 By Ahmed Hassan 4 Comments

Hello… Is there anybody out there? Is there anyone that cares that I’ve fallen? Is there anyone for me to gather sympathy from? Anyone I can tell my sad, poor me stories to?

Hello! I’m complaining! I’m friggin’ scared. I’m anxious and the panic is starting to kick in. I don’t have my mortgage this month. Yet! I screwed up on the last few jobs and essentially lost my ass!

Hello! In spite of whatever might be wrong or right. In spite of what I’ve seemingly got myself into, and in spite of what anyone else thinks is good, bad, right or wrong, I already know that this too will pass. Sitting with whatever pain, anxiety and feeling of lack there is can only serve as a means of me hitting the bottom and begin working my way back up.

No matter how sad and pathetic our lives are, there are many more out there more f’d up, banged up, bruised up and severely hurting much more than we are. There is someone out there doing so much worse, and likely, so much more afraid and in need than you or I.

We are getting ready for something big!

I’ve learned that helping others is a large part of how I must live my life. It’s the way my parents raised me. They were always helping someone in need. Many times, we ourselves were the ones in need. I’ve experienced homelessness and living in motels with vouchers from AFDC. I know what it’s like to be excited because the food stamps showed up, even though I was embarrassed to actually have to use them.

My dad used to walk home from Safeway with a basket of day old breads, cakes and other baked goods so that we could eat, and while I didn’t want my friends to see him pushing the shopping cart down Concord Blvd, I was happy to eat those brownies and bread. Our lives are filled with problems and challenges. These are often the necessary tribulations we must experience in order to recognize what works and what doesn’t.

Dealing with life on life’s terms is what I’ve been committed to for several years. Clean and sober since 1992 (except for that fat joint I smoked 9 years into my sobriety), I’ve made a commitment to better my life and be a generational catalyst for change. That which doesn’t kill and obliterate me, serves to strengthen me, and give me even more audacity to kick ass and take names. Through all of the pain, all the adversity and challenges in my life, I’ve had to dig deep and become my own cheerleader, counselor, bodyguard and friend. I typically seclude myself a bit and focus on whatever I can do to strategically rise up and dominate whatever situation I’m battling with.

Am I afraid, Hell yes! Am I filled with Faith that everything will work out in the end??? How can I not be?! My life on the outside looks like I’ve got so much together. I live in a big house on top of the hill. I drive a great big shiny truck, and my home is filled with more furniture than I currently have room for.

I am by many social standards “successful” or so it seems. The truth is that I come from people that had nothing, and had to work really hard for whatever they did have. The truth is, I come from several generations of talented people that were clever, witty, compassionate and committed. They were drug addicts, criminals, ran brothels, and skeet skirted around the law wherever they needed to in order to make ends meet. I am a multitude and magnificent blend of these people that have gone before me, and if there’s one thing I know for sure it’s that we, my folks, my family and my ancestors are compassionate people that have always helped others to help themselves.

Consulting on our new charity project, Aster Street Garden

This is why I continue to say yes to projects like #Daniellaswish and #Bullockgarden I have a special compassion for women and children. I also have a real soft spot and different affinity for men. These charity projects gave me an opportunity to give to others that have less than I did. They allow me to get out of my own way and focus on helping folks that want the help, need the help and are truly worthy of some assistance in their lives.

This Thanksgiving we’re doing our 3rd charity project, cyber tagged #Astergarden. There’s no link for this project yet because we haven’t done the work. So much of my life looks like this. It’s not here yet. Faith is the essence, the power and the hope for things not here and yet to come. That is my paraphrase of Hebrews 11:1. My faith is probably like your own. Something that waivers and waffles. Sometimes we’re big, and sometimes we’re small, but one thing that’s consistent is that we’re always able to help somebody somewhere.

It looks like a blank canvas right now.

The capacity to pay it forward is probably one of our greatest human talents! So that’s what I’m doing today. That’s what I’m committed to doing from here on out. You’ll continue to see me use hash tags like #PHP(People Helping People) and #BA4GC (Badasses For Good Causes) and #Sustainableheroes.

Each and every opportunity is my potential to help others. To give back and stop being self centered.
This most current project is one that will take place on November 21st and 22nd of 2015. One week before Thanksgiving, you, me and a whole bunch of other awesome, large minded and large-hearted people will all converge on the scene in Escondido, CA. We will create a landscape makeover like you’ve never seen before.

Why? Because it’s necessary, and because the best way to help yourself in life is by helping others. I believe this and because I do, it’s absolutely true for me. If any one reading this blog is both willing and able, please donate to the Aster Gardens Project. Plan to join us as we build and create this amazing Outdoor Living and congregating space. We need all the help we can get.

There are families, women, children, seniors and vets that are so much worse off than you or I. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I invite you and encourage you to step outside of your own small world of “woe is me”, and show up in Escondido to be a part of the magic and love. There is a law that exists in the Universe. It’s often referred to as Karma. This Karma will take you further than you could ever take yourself. Do for others and watch how this energy, circles back and takes care of your every need. I thank you and look forward to meeting you all this November.

This is an idea of what what it will look like when we are finished!

Ahmad “Ahmed” Hassan aka The Celebrity Landscaper, The baddest damn landscaper you’ve ever seen! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram!

#TeamAhmed #GoGreenWithAhmed #AsterGardens #BA4GC #SustainableHeroes #PHP #DaniellasWish

The Ancillary Benefits and Burdens of Choice

September 15, 2015 By Ahmed Hassan Leave a Comment

I suppose we’re all a little ignorant in some areas. I mean how can we know everything about anything. We all make decisions based on some piece of inspiration, based on some small seed idea that we initially have planted in our mind. “I wanna grow a garden”, thinks the person that enjoys munching on this flavorful fruit salad I just made. Yet, who really thinks about all of the not so inspiring aspects of what’s also involved with growing a garden?

Does anyone consider the weeds they’ll grow? Or the amount of water they’ll use in order to keep their garden flourishing? Just about anything we do comes with ancillary benefits, and consequences, that will at some point rear their little heads, and show what else we get to manage because of our previous decision to step into such and such.

This is the story of so many young students entering college thinking that they’re interested in whatever subject or category of studies they said, or thought they were, when they chose whatever classes they did originally. Such is the story of our lives.

Three great words, learn them!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Our lives come with a benefit. That benefit is the opportunity to always say yes, no, maybe so and to change our minds. Of course there’s going to be opportunities, benefits, consequences and what I’m referring to as those ancillary effects, that stem from whatever decision we land on. This is a part of life.

There are choices we get to make everyday. Some of these choices are supporting other choices we made yesterday. They are the “yes”. I still want to have or do this.

Other choices are the “no”. I’m not willing to go there or support that idea. Maybe we needed to sleep on it or we might have been thinking about whether we were going to do this or that. It sometimes takes awhile for some of us people pleaser types to say no, but once we’re clear, we can disagree with the best of ’em and deliver a “Nah, I’m all good, thanks but no thanks.”

One great phrase, use it!

“Maybe so” is more or less a stall tactic. I’ve learned to use this with my kids, they will take literally everything I say as a promise. I have to be very clear with the idea that “maybe so” means I’m undecided and need a lil more time to consider what feels right to me.

And finally the magic of changing ones mind. This is the decision that let’s us know we’re alive. Life is forever expanding. All things developing, maturing and delivering what we want or what we never saw coming. When we’re dead and gone, we no longer get to choose. So relishing in this wonderful power of choice is what makes all the difference in the world.

So many folks are suffering from depression because they feel stuck in some sort of way around past decisions that they made, or they feel unempowered to make the changes that need to be made in order to once again enjoy life.

My kids are still learning that maybe so does not mean yes or no.

So today I’m here to remind you. If you’re alive, you get to choose. Of course any choice you make will have those pesky consequences, rewards or benefits to accompany them, and it’s impossible to know precisely what those will feel like until they’re here.

I’d also like to remind you to respect the natural time frame of things. Anything that took time and habit to create, will surely take a reasonable time frame and another habit to undo. This is something I failed to understand as a young man, and I instead thought that everything should move at lightening speed.

Life continues to show me that this isn’t the case. So breathe my friend. Give thanks that you’re alive and get to enjoy another day or choice. Do your absolute best in this moment, with ease and grace. Rest assured that no matter what life throws at you, and what you decide to dream up and move towards, it’s attainable. Each day that you’re alive you get the opportunity to say, yes, no, maybe so and I’ve changed my mind. Thanks for reading, caring and sharing.

Get more updates!! Follow Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest! #TeamAhmedTV #GoGreenWithAhmed #Ancillary Benefits

Getting Ready for What You Say You Want

August 25, 2015 By Ahmed Hassan 3 Comments

A few years ago I had the benefit of listening to Reverend Muata Rasuli. He is a frequent speaker at the San Francisco Center for Spiritual Living. He has served in some capacity there since 1996. He did a sermon on “Getting Ready”. Getting ready for all of those good things you say you want.

We Talk About Being Ready

My “Am I Ready?” face

I mean let’s face it. We’re all basically the same in that we all want the same thing. We all, basically, want everything. I see this when I meet with folks and consult with them around what they want with their yards (that is, after all, why Ahmad Hassan Landscape Services exists). They/we want seat walls and fire pits. We want flowering plants, and shrubs, that conveniently block our neighbors’ windows. We want shade for relaxing, and full sun to grow our veggies and heat up our compost. We want outdoor kitchens, man or womancaves. The list of items goes on and can become overwhelming… If you let it.

The issue, if there’s any issue at all, has more to do with being ready. Ready to say yes. Ready to pull the trigger. Anything you want, you can have, but you’ve got to have that essence, that “get down” and the where with all to simply go for it.

This takes practice, and it takes courage. I’m practicing both every day, and enjoying the rewards that stem from living this kind of life. Last week I conducted 25 mini landscape consultations, because the week before I decided to “go for it” when a friend recommended I offer my services in this way. I charged $75 for 1 hr of my time and will hopefully close 22 of the 25 prospective jobs that I looked at in Redwood City, California.

What It Takes to Be Ready

Getting things ready takes work, particularly when it comes to gardening.

This week I’m following up with each person I met with to solidify what was discussed, and begin the process of scheduling their work. That’s the flip side of “Getting ready” for whatever it is that you want. It’s less important you figure everything out, and more important that you react, respond and get busy doing what’s necessary once you’ve pulled the proverbial trigger. This might be working more hours at work, in order to pay for the landscape improvements you’ve contracted for, or getting up early to water your new organic veggie garden each morning.

It might be the necessary, but not first understood, 25 emails sent out to each client so that what was discussed can be documented and further clarified, then finally implemented. All of life is far more complex than the original seed idea that first inspires us when we think, “I want that!”

Are You Ready?

This is where we’ve gotta stay focused and handle the business side of making our dreams come true. So just for today, I support you in being an inspiration junkie. I hope this blog post serves as a friendly reminder for you to continue “getting ready”. Continue getting up early in order to manage what you must. Continue to be brave and take baby steps towards your goals. Then, in a short period of time, you’ll find yourself there and ready to move on to the next goal. Thanks for caring and sharing this post!

Want more updates? Follow Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram! #GoGreenWithAhmed #TeamAhmedTV #GetReady

We’re Really Not Controlling Anything

August 18, 2015 By Ahmed Hassan 2 Comments

I’m lying in bed this morning listening to the birds give thanks for the day. Another Tuesday, another blog post. Today’s thought is all about control. The mirage of control. The idea that we humans are in control, is what still amuses me.

Sharing is caring, right?

I must’ve been 19 years old when I started going to codependents anonymous meetings. My dad recommended I check out a meeting close to where I lived in North Oakland. I continued to attend and listen to others. I learned how to love, live and not be totally enmeshed with others. Codependency is something that so many of us suffer from. It’s a characteristic, 2 steps on the other side of compassion. We people that tend to over love, over do, over give and over expect from others, can truly benefit from attending Codependents Anonymous meetings. Check and see if there’s one in your area, and sit in on a meeting if you like.

If you don’t know by now, I’ve attended counseling sessions, twelve step meetings and read countless books on self help for at least the last 20 plus years. What can I say, I come from a long line of pretty dysfunctional folks, and am of the opinion most of us do. I think that each one of us must take responsibility for our own lives. I believe that by age 16 years old, we’re pretty much adults. We want to do as we wish and want to be treated as an adult, so it’s really on us to live our lives in such a way that we might be able to do just that (live and be treated like an adult).

My oldest son Julian is 16 years old. He’ll be 17 in March of next year. I talked with him the other day about letting me and his mother know where he’s at. He often gets permission to go hang out with a friend, then at some point, the evening’s plan changes; he and his buddies are elsewhere, and his mother and I are clueless as to where our child is. This creates a feeling of not having control.

Teenage kids will help you to understand just how much you don’t control, can’t control and really don’t need to control. I see my job as a parent is to teach and educate. It’s my job to be responsible for doing both of those things. I’m a person that is responsible for so much and so many. I’m a father of 3 kids, and although Tiffanie and I are separated, we still live together and I’ll always have some responsibility to and for her. I hire and manage several employees and contractors and within my immediate and extended family, I’m a burgeoning elder, uncle, cousin and son to my mother(s).

My job is not to control this young man. My job is to educate and encourage him.

I’ve been a control freak most of my life, meaning I’ve tried and continue striving to know what I’m doing, and figure things out on my own. I’m an opinionated Virgo and a complex thinker, just talk to any of the producers I’ve ever worked with and they’ll tell you, “Ahmed’s difficult to work with.”

I spoke to one of the producers from my early days of DIY Networks “The Dirt On…” and “Yard Crashers”. She admitted that she was as good a producer as she was because she’d worked with me. I was the most difficult talent, but the most dynamic she’d worked with. I fought with my producers, not to be combative, but to be myself. I wanted to play my own character and to produce the story I understood in my own head.

ahmed-producers-were-not-really-in-control

Pop Quiz: Who is in control here?

It apparently worked, considering “Yard Crashers” spun off into “House Crashers”, “Bath Crashers”, “Kitchen Crashers” and “Room Crashers”. I also shot a few seasons of a spin off titled “Turf War” and got DIY Network to green light a full 1 hour show. I mean who does that! Yup, I did (pat on the back). This control freak, difficult to work with, confident-as-I-wanna-be-maniac, that’s hell bent on integrity, is the same guy that lives to teach and inspire folks while doing our best to encourage and show others how to believe in themselves and their abilities. I don’t have any desire to “control” people and situations. I merely want the best for those around me and am committed to doing all that I can to this end.

My mind puts things together in such a way, but I remain flexible enough to allow things to shift. The lesson learned is to stay flexible and fluid. Here is a great resource on doing just that. I plan, strategize and get up early in order to prepare for my days, then allow the day to organically happen, and call folks when I’m running behind or things need to change. I communicate as clearly and concisely as I can, and am careful with my assumptions since they all stem from my own head and aren’t necessarily reality. Just because I see it the way that I do doesn’t mean that this is real for any one else. Hey they’re not me!

Lastly, what I’ll say about being a control freak is that none of us are really “In control”. We’d like to think that we are, and we can sometimes get others to believe this, but in reality we’re all living reactive lives. Hopefully doing are best to respond to what is. We don’t control the weather, we don’t decide who our parents or children are. We don’t get to determine our neighbors, or whether or not our bosses, or clients, love us.

ahmed_were-not-really-controlling-anything

One of my idols is Sir Richard Branson. Following his intuition is what I respect most about him.

All we can do is our best. Each day, each moment and the next. The only thing we really have control over is our response to what comes, and this in itself is an awesome opportunity.

Love and Light!

Want more updates? Follow Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram! #GoGreenWithAhmed #TeamAhmedTV #NoControl

Pull the Trigger

August 11, 2015 By Ahmed Hassan 2 Comments

“Pull the trigger”, “Just do it” and “Say yes” are all, really, the same messages. The last few weeks have been interesting in that I never feel comfortable and ready, yet I’m still here and life is moving along just fine. This is in spite of me not thinking that I’m ready. In spite of everything not being properly planned, organized and rehearsed. I’m learning to pull the trigger and step into the unknown.

This is apparently how life works. The universe we live in respects action. Sure it’s great to plan, schedule and prepare. I’m not saying to run by the seat of your pants. I’m merely acknowledging that we must continue gaining forward momentum if we’re ever going to get to our goals.

If I had hesitated, we never would have reached the goal of creating a beautiful garden for Bullock Elementary!

Pull the trigger is my way of saying “Start!” A couple of weeks ago, I was talking to my buddy, Matt Andrakin, about not being ready and he commented, “I’m never ready, I just do it. If I wait until I’m ready, it’ll never happen.” As soon as he said it, I immediately resonated with the wisdom in this simple statement.

We don’t wait until everything is perfect to have children. We don’t expect to have a weed free garden before we plant our new crop. Life is about setting our goals, maintaining our vision and pulling the trigger on whatever it is that inspired us. This is how things get done. We feel the fear and we walk on through it, because we know that we must.

This is what’s meant by that “internal gnawing”, that won’t go away until we feed it, nurture it and make it happen. We’ve all experienced this gnawing. We’ve all experienced the “But I’m not ready.” Yet, as soon as we decide to pull the trigger and make it happen, all of the Universe will conspire with us to get whatever it is that needs doing, done! Our limitations are typically just ourselves; our own doubt, our own fear and our own insecurities.

So just for today, I encourage you to step out on faith and simply pull the trigger. Do as Ghandi said and be the change you wish to see in the world. Pull the trigger and make it happen. What are you waiting for? Ghandi also taught that:

“There is force in the universe, which, if we permit it, will flow through us and produce miraculous results.”

The magic happens when we allow the flow. When we say yes, I’ll do it! For the last 3 weeks I’ve been nervous about my finances, nervous about my relationship. Sometimes I’m nervous about my life. So what! I just keep on moving forward, doing my absolute best in any given moment and feel great.

Tired, maybe from all of the mental work involved with pushing through my own fears, depression and anxiety, but I’m also happy. I’m proving to myself just what I’m made of and you too can do the same. It starts with pulling the trigger. Thanks for reading and sharing.

Want more updates? Follow Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram! #GoGreenWithAhmed #TeamAhmedTV #PullTheTrigger

Searching for Inspiration

June 30, 2015 By Ahmed Hassan 1 Comment

The California sun can be brutal, but I am thankful nonetheless

Temperatures are suppose to hit 109 today here in Northern California. Finding the inspiration to work outside in this heat is…Well… Yesterday I fasted for most of the day. I’m no Muslim, but I do know that we’re in the middle of Ramadan and I figured I’d participate and fast for the health benefits and mental clarity. Then, by the time I did finally eat something, I had to take a nap, and the heat was simply unbearable.

Today’s post is still swinging back and forth within my head. “Do I write something that’s more personable or do I write something that’s gardening or landscaping related…” What to do, what to do! I think I’m more inspired to write about inspiration. Since I’m looking for a bit of it this morning. I, like you, have so very many things going on in my life. The stresses of everyday living here on planet earth, the responsibilities both financially and physically of raising and providing for my family, as well as running a small business, and seeking to maintain any kind of celebrity status with my career. All of life is an opportunity to learn and experience more or less of what we want. That’s going to determine how we feel.

Camille’s cure for boredom involves helping dad. She loves it!

The other day my youngest daughter Camille was pouting and walking around the backyard complaining about how bored she was. “There’s nothing to do!” She wanted this and wanted that and life was just so horrible in this instance as far as she was concerned. I immediately thought of what my dad taught me when I was maybe 14 or so. He taught me to give thanks and spend some time in appreciation for what I had. He would invite me to write a list of what I was thankful for, from the very big things in life, to the essential items that we often take for granted, like having toothpaste, toilet paper and running water. I suppose this is also one of the primary purposes of Ramadan in the first place. It’s a time to reflect, have compassion and to relate to those that do not have.

So today I invite you to analyze your life, rather than mentally delve into all that you owe the IRS, or what’s so wrong in your relationship. Spend a little time in thanksgiving. Create your own list, mentally or physically. Begin to look around and notice just how abundant you are. There are people all over this planet that don’t have the gifts, opportunities or the physical/mental capabilities that you do. It’s a true fact that whatever we think about is what’s both monumental and having an impact on us in the present.

Time to suit up for the day

So notice what’s good in life! Acknowledge how much you do have. Truly give thanks for this wonderful life that’s likely going to get better because of the lessons you’re learning and applying right now. Little by little things will start to get better. None of us are 10 years old like my sweet Camille. We all know that there’s so much to do, and so much to be thankful for. Your life is what you make of it!

So continue to dream up whatever it is that you want. Always, always, always remember that there are likely thousands of individuals at any given moment, that not only have far less than you, but would kill to have just a few of life’s luxuries that both you and I often take for granted. Thanks for sharing and reading my morning’s inspiration lecture to myself. Now it’s time for me to plan and get ready for the sweltering day today and give thanks for my ice chest, my sun screen, my white long sleeve shirt and large brimmed sun hat. I also give thanks for having work that I love and I get to finally finish Chelle Henderson’s backyard so that next weeks blog post will consummate the whole process. For those who don’t know. Here’s some history on this work… and a little more.

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Decidedly Thankful

November 27, 2014 By Ahmed Hassan 1 Comment

I am both humbled and amazed when I mentally glance at the calendar of 2014. I’m filled with anxiety, confidence, gratitude, and hope when I think about a year that has been filled with the greatest personal exploration of my lifetime.

“This is what life should look like,” says my conscience. “Growth and expansion should always be what we’re experiencing.”

On this Thanksgiving Day, I’m thankful for the challenges that have allowed me to have a heart filled with gratitude for what is. I’m thankful that I can reminisce on what was as I continue to stretch into the unknown.

I embrace life’s challenges with confidence, and even a little anxiety, knowing that I am alive. I’m here saying yes and absolutely doing my best to show up as the person I aspire to be.

I remember a conversation I had with myself early in 2014 or was it 2013… I decided that just for this year, I wouldn’t stress and worry, since stress has never helped my body, mind, or sense of peace.Worrying has not solved any problems, made me feel better or brought about the change that’s needed to happen. Just for this year I wasn’t going to worry about things and instead I’d truly trust the process of life. To me this means trust that the Universe is all good. I refer to the Universe as all that exists. Everything is essential to everything. Some folks say that “everything happens for a reason”. I merely want to focus on learning and understanding the reasons and see my life as an opportunity to learn, teach and give thanks for even being here in the first place.

Celebrity landscaper Ahmed Hassan - Albequerque New Mexico

Thankful for the opportunity to speak at places such as the 2014 Home and Garden Show, Albuquerque, New Mexico

The difference between life and death as I see it is that death is synonymous with done.

Therefore life is about living. Doing creating, preparing and responding. Life respects action, not just thoughts. Life is about feeling the fear and going for it anyway. To remain afraid and not be willing to live “big” is as good as being dead. I believe that our lives must remain inspired and filled with hope. We must continue to always seek out that which is beautiful, and makes us feel good. We must be willing to push a lil harder and love a lil longer and recognize and take responsibility for our own faults in order to create the space for our object of desire to come into reality; or to allow life’s organic process to bring to fruition all that we want need and are ready for, precisely when the time is right.
This year has been a “dream it up and make it happen” experience. I’ve created a structure and support system around me and have people in my corner that keep me accountable.

The Bible says “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” My understanding and translation of this is that we are all God. When we come together as brothers and sisters, we are magnificent creators just like God the creator.

In 2015 I hope that we all work a little more towards coming together with others and agreeing to work in ways that are more loving, more conscientious, more understanding and more compassionate to one another’s challenges and short comings.

Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan - Recycling Cardboard

Thankful for my family, my friends, and of course, working in my yard!

Let’s focus on building our mutual dreams together, and not be so attached to every little detail, that we criticize and belittle one another.

This will allow the mutual dream to happen that much quicker.

This will allow events like “Ferguson” to be one of those “back then” events. Life is not so black and white but rather several shades of gray and when we take the time to not make others wrong and instead see where they have been or continue to be small minded and filled with fear, we can forgive them and continue to give thanks for our ability to show them what life, love, and liberty truly looks like.

I subscribe to the philosophy of Science of Mind and know that everything starts as a seed. Life is nothing more than a palette of whatever we dream it to be. The seeds planted in my mind’s eye of the past are either here and now present, they have drifted away and morphed or they are organically emerging in my life as I prepare and give thanks.

The giving thanks means that I recognize and am grateful.

Do these seeds look exactly like I thought they would? Of course not!

Have you ever grown a plant from seed and knew exactly what it would look like beforehand?

Have you ever known someone that was pregnant and you yourself already knew exactly what the baby would look like, act like, and how they would develop their personality?

Are you no less thankful?

I encourage you to be thankful for every experience. Be thankful for life’s challenges that allow you to prove just how big, bad and beautiful you truly can be. Be thankful that you don’t always understand and yet here you are, alive and living. I know many that have taken their own lives or lost them due to various circumstances but you my friend are here. You have the ability to bend rather than break, to take the heat and not burn up. To deal with the process, and people along the way.

I’m thankful for my team and the collective willingness to think and be big. And most of all I’m thankful for you!

Happy Day of Thanksgiving.

Ahmad “Ahmed” Hassan