Adam Rafferty

Funky Fingerstyle Guitar

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10 Things I am Thankful For Today

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I’d like to start off by wishing you a wonderful, Happy Healthy Thanksgiving.

I recently read about how gratitude literally re-wires ones brain, unlike any other thought-feeling-emotion – whatever you’d call it.

For that reason, I’ve decided to resume my “gratitude journaling.” I am only on day 3, but since it’s Thanksgiving I wanted to share my “Top 10 List” of things I am currently grateful for – with you.

It’s not always natural or easy to feel gratitude…but journaling it can “kickstart” the flow…

I also challenge you to make a “Top 10 List” for yourself…and check in on how you feel
over the next 24 hours.

My Top 10 Gratitude List:

I can’t stand putting things “in order” as that makes it seem linear, when in reality it’s a big blob of thanks.

1. My Dad

This guy is my still my favorite superhero, and was my first inspiration to play guitar.

He’s 77 and still working full time…mentally and physically fit. He’s overcome so much in his life. I am so thankful he’s still around.

I love you Dad.


2. My Partner

My girlfriend Judith stands by me no matter what. She’s also my best friend. We’ve had some serious ups and downs these past few years, yet she stands solid as a rock no matter how weird I get…and believe me…I get weird. Really weird.

I love you Judith.


3. My Family

My stepmom, my brother & his wife and daughter, my quasi in-laws and my quasi step kids. We don’t have a lot of contact but I know you are there, and you know I am here.

No pic, as I am respecting everyones privacy and workplace politics. 🙂

I love you all. Thanks for being there.

4. My Friends

Many of my close friends are musicians and many musicians I work with become close friends 🙂 Some are old friends and some are new…

  • You all keep me alive!
  • You are the ones I lean on when I am down.
  • You are the ones who kick me in the ass when I need it.
  • You are the ones who tell me I’ve done well when I beat myself up.

With my friend Paul Beaudry’s “New Tomorrows” Project (myself, Paul and Khalil Kwame Bell.)

With my oldest friend John-Christian Urich and his band Tortured Soul (myself, Little, John-Christian, Isamu and Ernie.)

My close friend Henry Olsen from Super Simple Guitar – we chat every day about music, meditation, life, our goals and our online schools. Thank you Henry for being there!


I love you guys.

5. My Health

I am pretty lucky to be in good health. I could stand to do some more yoga-stretchy stuff, but I feel good, exercise and eat good stuff. I’ve been chilling on the sugar lately.

Thank You Lord, that I am in good health.

6. I Live in a Great Place

There’s so much negativity in the news, and that makes it easy to complain.

Things are far from perfect in the world but everyday I wake up, and I am thankful for the places I DON’T live…these places have overwhelming amounts of strife, suffering, bloodshed, oppression and genocide:

  • North Korea
  • Yemen
  • Myanmar
  • Pakistan
  • Afghanistan
  • Turkey
  • Iran
  • Syria
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Rwanda

…you get the idea.

I am currently living in Austria – where I have medical coverage, it’s pretty safe and I get to lead a creative life and decide how my days are spent.

I live like royalty as far as I am concerned.

Thank you Lord for this Blessed Life and that I live in a Wonderful Place.

7. My Dream Job Part 1: Touring

I get to travel and play guitar for people. How awesome is that? Very awesome indeed.

At Reichenberg Guitar Masters 2018

In concert with my buddy Michael Diehl:

In concert with master jazz guitarist Peter Sprague:

At Reichenberg Guitar Masters 2018

8. My Dream Job Part 2: Teaching Guitar

I run my own online guitar school http://studywithadam.com and I get to share my wisdom and knowledge with those who appreciate and cherish it.

Giving people “AHA”S” and seeing them progress through hard work is extremely gratifying. This “job” scratches my musical itch and my computer nerd itch as well.

And…I am my own boss…did I mention that?

Thank You Lord, that I have this creative freedom and joy in my work.


9. My Pets

I love my poodle “Raffaela.” The quietest, sweetest dog in the world.

I love my rabbits…I keep forgetting their Austrian names, so I simply call them “Trump & Obama.”

Can you guess who is who?


Thank you Lord, that I have these innocent loving creatures in my life.

10. I’ve Rediscovered My Creativity!

I’ve shaken off a long gloomy phase of “perfectionism” thank God…(literally.)

This last month I have…

  • Played & recorded with my best friends band Tortured Soul
  • Rehearsed with a new band project of mine (TBA)
  • Played with master guitarist Peter Sprague and “Guitar Masters Reichenberg Festival”
  • Recorded and Uploaded 2 new arrangements / Youtube Videos – “Ain’t Nobody” and “Mambo Inn”

And here are some tears of joy brought on by writing this post.

Happy Thanks-giving!

Read more on how gratitude rewires the brain:
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I am thankful for Adam Rafferty.I am thankful that learning Shelter Island reaffirmed my love for fingerstyle guitar. And when I got stuck on the signature riff, I went to the video and you said “it’s a syncopation”:and I had my “aha” moment. So thank you brother for all you do. Maybe a Learn with Adam ” lesson in 2019?

    Reply

  3. Happy thanksgiving to you Adam!
    I am very thankful to have you. We do not see so often but when it is always like “yesterday” we have left …
    A big hug to Judith and all the best for you all
    Bernd

    Reply

    • Hey Bernd! Of course as well, I am thankful for you & the guitar community that has supported touring – for all of us. See you soon I hope….best to Ines & the family!

      Adam

      Reply

  4. Thanks Adam,for sharing your heart.You indeed are so very blessed.May God continue to bless you and all those around you and all you do by bringing great music to us!!! “Happy Thanksgiving Adam!!!”

    Reply

  5. Happy Thanksgiving Adam, i thank you for all for your teaching for every thing, and I’m very happy to meet to see to listen your music your guitara and your hapinnes . God bless you and your family.

    Reply

  9. Awesome, Adam! I have always been so impressed with your courage, commitment and enthusiasm, ever since meeting you and hanging way back when at NGSW in Connecticut. How great to be living in Austria! We were just on a trip to the Dolomites in September, will try to look you up if we get back there, again. If you were to get one of those gigs teaching for that Mediterranean Guitar group, I would make a serious effort to get over there, but we would have to have a day of bebop between fingerstyle classes! Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply

  10. Happy Thanksgiving, Adam! You do have it pretty good, my friend! You also reminded me of all that I have to be thankful for as well. Thanks for that!

    -Ryan

    Reply

  11. Adam, really lovely, upbeat post, and as a side-track I checked out ‘Aint Nobody.’ It’s good, and I mean scarily good.

    Thanks as always.

    Colin.

    Reply

  12. Adam, thank you very much about your post. You are a master musician and we all enjoy a lot your music and overall, your kindness by giving hot tips on the grace of being a musician. I hope you will come to Brazil to show us closely your music.

    Reply

  13. Auch ich freue mich, einen so positiven und netten Musiker und sympathischen Menschen kennengelernt zu haben. Deine 10 Punkte sind beeindruckend. Ich freue mich schon auf Hersbruck 2019.
    Nachträglich Happy Thanksgiving!
    Rolf

    Reply

  14. Hi Adam,
    A great post reinforcing the humility, blessings & kindness for all. Few countries have had the wisdom of Lincoln & Roosevelt to develop the unity of its citizens in this way. Contributing to the mystery of music with your songs & lessons is appreciated.

    Reply

  16. Adam – What a beautiful family and life you have! Like you … my father is my favorite superhero. Though he passed several years ago I think about him most days-his kindness, mentoring, unconditional love and that big ol’ smile of encouragement when I was just learning to play in the second grade. Later in his life when he would attend my performances .. he would weep tears of joy and share how beautifully he thought I played. I’m pretty sure he is still proud of me!

    Once I discovered your arrangements online it changed my guitar playing … and my life. ‘Killing Me Softly’ and ‘Mas Que Nada’ are two favorites that blow peoples’ minds when I perform them … including my own! I was hoping I would do them justice.

    Funny. Me & the band are discussing new material for 2019 and “Ain’t Nobody” is on the short list. Mean’t to be. Also … you are in very good company! After I played your version of “Ain’t Nobody” … three suggested videos popped up based on my likes/dislikes. These include Jimi Hendrix, Mark Knopfler … and … wait for it …Bob Ross the PBS painter! LOL. Thankful for a sense of humor … and Adam of course! ; )

    Reply

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