Photo: © D. Paul Graham, “Brigantine Self Portrait”, Brigantine, NJ, Graham Archives 2023

“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. 5 Things for 12 Years

Spending a beautiful sun-drenched weekend at the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance, I had ample time to reflect on my life as I meandered amongst some of the world’s most beautiful automobiles. November is a significant month in my life. On this November day sixty-one years ago, a woman named Maxine gave birth to a son in the wee hours of the morn who couldn’t wait to start the day and a life. My first company was started in November, 26 years ago. I’ll be adding November nuptials to a most remarkable and loving woman this month. And twelve years ago in November, in a land far, far away, I wrote the first “Monday 5 Things.”  This morning’s M5T is a heart-felt thank you for taking time to read these tomes and affording me the opportunity and privilege to share snippets of life with you each and every Monday for the past 12 years.

1. Senses

Twelve years of M5T’s has heightened my sense of observing and listening to what is going on around me. Writing M5T has affirmed to me that if we take the time to care and engage, to listen without judgement, to live without pretense, and to simply experience and embrace all that is around us, we can be active participants in a world that is immensely rich in people, places, ethos, and diversity. Thank you for being a part of those insights.

2. Evolving

M5T has evolved from that first simple list of 5 Things, to a medium through which this scribe can share thoughts and observations with you. Thank you for being a part of the growth of M5T.

3. Humbled

I have been humbled not only by the public responses you have posted, but I have been moved to tears, laughter, and prayer by private messages that some have sent me, sharing how your lives have been impacted by particular M5T’s. Thank you for sharing yourselves.

4. Grateful

I have been thankful for technology to be able to connect and stay in touch in a fresh way with M5T with each of you. I am inordinately blessed by the many friends that I had lost touch over the years and have now reconnected through M5T. From all readers, your likes, comments, agreements, disagreements, and additional thoughts on M5T have been awe-inspiring for me to experience with you. Thank you for being M5Ters.

5. Perspectives

For twelve years, M5T has been a forum where I have attempted to be positive, uplifting, at times humorous, often irreverent, decidedly a-political, but hopefully thought provoking, as I know many of you read M5T before starting a fresh week. I’ve deliberately tried to use M5T as means to shine a light away from the weight of toxic negativity and onto the solace of the confidence gained through an optimistic and elevated world view. All with the purpose that, that for each week of the past 12 years, M5T might be a fresh, uplifting, and encouraging start to your Monday. I am thankful and honored to be on this journey with each and every one of you!

Here’s to a week of thanking you. Thank you all for taking time out of your day to read and respond to M5T. Thank you all for being the inspiration for one man to share his observations, thoughts, passions, and in many ways, my life.

© 2023 D. Paul Graham, all rights reserved.

For over 12 years, D. Paul Graham has published “Monday 5 Things” ™, also known to readers as M5T

You can reach Paul by email at dpg@imagegraham.com