I am counting my blessings this morning. The sun is bright and warm, the sky clear, and the air is a perfect dry summer day in Maine. I look out at my gardens, shrubs, and trees, and the cardinals and sparrows landing on the bird feeder. I have already been to church to celebrate and glorify the Majesty in my spiritual world, God. I take the liberty of sharing my faith tradition with you but assure you that I respect your spiritual life and your Universal Power.

At age 80, I am blessed with the same wife, 5 children, 11 grandchildren, close friends and relationships that warm my heart. In my entrepreneurial pursuits, I have won, I have lost, and am now ready to downsize what I built in preparation of a simple and spiritual existence. My home of 41 years where we raised our children in Maine is too big and burdensome for most home seekers. But I am determined to take it apart piece by piece, letting go of most of my material things and keeping what is essential to my serenity. Fortunately, I have learned over my 56 years married to Kate that I have her wisdom to draw upon, too, in that process. We are partners, for sure!

I laugh at what I am keeping versus what goes out the door. Diplomas, one from my Quaker training at Moses Brown School, another from Trinity College where my liberal Arts expanded my understanding of human existence, and one from Harvard Divinity School where my interest in religious philosophy sharpened my knowledge and faith in the spiritual, not the material side of life. These three diplomas represent the shaping of who I am. 

I am also keeping lessons learned from business and life in order to share those special insights with fellow seekers of younger years. Volunteerism, for example, is still celebrated at Tom’s of Maine on this past week’s Goodness Days when all employees are out in the community helping with gardens, health needs, walking trails, and more, 53 years after establishing volunteerism on company time at Tom’s. My daughter’s school, Mt. Hermon, taught the importance of The Head, The Heart, and The Hand. In all things. The head for knowledge, the heart to assess right knowledge, and the hand to execute responsible action. And I also take with me the Quaker tradition of belief that God is in all living things. This is a good day to see the good in all of nature.

I will be sharing my impressions through the vehicle of TomHelps.org. I will serve up other people’s story and lessons learned to make life come to life for each of us. Let’s improve what we received.

Tom