Making gratitude a daily to-do was a great idea....

"Ok...it is the month of THANKSGIVING---I work on my gratitude all year long, but I love having a month that makes me think about what I am thankful for and share it with others.

Day 1-I am grateful for my friends. Their love, kindness and their example of how they live and who they are reminds me everyday that there are great people in the world who care about others and me!"


Gratitude Day 2&3---today i am grateful for people who have come into my life to teach me to be a better me. Those who see me as the person I can someday be, some who see the real me and some who just like me no matter what me i am. I am grateful also for those who have gone, because while they were here and in their leaving their lessons were many and I learned them all. Saying goodbye can sometimes be a good thing.

I am also grateful for self love. I have learned through many trials how to appreciate myself even when those who don't try to kick my while I am down. I have learned to smile when I want to cry, and have learned that feelings are but a way to see the things that need to stay(good feelings) and the things that need to go(bringing the bad emotions to surface). I have learned that caring for me is always the best way to get the most out of this life...and I am learning more and more everyday how to do that better.

"Gratitude Day 4-Today I am grateful for my kids. We did not always have the easiest time while we were growing up together, but each day as I see them face their lives with grace, honesty, kindness and determination, I get a sense that I might have done a few things right. To know that I somehow had the privilege to have something to do with their being a part of this world and the joy to be a part of their lives makes all the bad just disappear. Today I am grateful to know 5 of the most amazing people in the world and they all call me MOM, well except Matt...he insists on calling me Pam...but thats ok!!"


"Day 5-Today I am grateful for people who are thoughtful and replace the empty roll of tp. I am also grateful for those who are not as thoughtful, because they make me careful to always not be that person who does that to the next occupant!"

Day 6-I am grateful for a home--a place where I am loved, comfortable and at peace."

Day 7---
Ok...today i am grateful for yesterday. I was able to have a nice lunch with a friend, my sil is helping with some much needed auto repairs, got lots done at work, and had time with my grands at story time!

Not sure what I will be grateful for today....but yesterday was nice!

"Day 8---a little late :-) I am grateful for an amazing community that continues to show me that I was not only right when I said I wanted to move home, but always keeps me grateful for all we do for our neighbors. I have a few that are challenged by the next hurdle in their lives, but I know that this community that we share will rally around them and assist as they make the transition. I love my little Johnson County...and all those who share it with me!


"Day 9-Today I am grateful for meaningful work and a company that supports me being involved in the community and for all those who embrace what we do and support it gives us. Last night the Cleburne Quarter Auction-the chosen charity and having the opportunity to participate in the Transition Fair on Saturday at Cleburne ISD and being one of the selected charities at the Burleson Wine Crawl. Each of these opportunities is also a community event where my clients are not only welcome but encouraged to participate. Also thrilled last night at the auction we met some people who may purchase some of our holiday baskets which means more work for our folks!!"

Day 10---WOW--Im not even sure where to start--Opportunities for COI-New friends-oh heck this is going to take all night--Im tired so here it is in shorthand--If I saw your face, hugged your neck, helped you carry trash, watched you turn into a BEE, told you about COI, thanked you for bringing me a check, if you helped me wrap a prize, or if I picked you up or dropped you off, thanked you for fixing my brakes, brought you a glass of water, or shared a few smiles, laughs and food with you, THANK YOU for giving me a magical-opportunity-filled-16-hour-long day--YOU are what I am grateful for

Day 11--I love living and sharing an inspired life. Sharing every inspiration assures that some how it will be brought to life!

Day 12-OPPORTUNITIES! Over the last several weeks I have been invited to do some of the most amazing things and I am still smiling. I have some more great events, planning, extra work and exciting things coming up in 2013. I am beyond grateful for all aspects of my life...and the people who invite me to participate in all the fun

Day 13-I think I might have already posted a gratitude moment, but then I had a day in-between then and now. I am grateful for sincere compliments, people of like minds and honesty above all. I was given words of encouragement, praise and compliments by several people today. It is such a great thing to be a part of a community where others appreciate your efforts, have nice things to say behind your back and to your face and who can always see the better in me even when I can't find it at all. And at the end of my day, knowing that those I share time with will always be honest, makes life peaceful and drama free...that feeling is worth so much

Day 14-Today I am grateful for flexibility, being able to go with the flow when things change, schedules gets bent or life just happens to take my fast lane to a slow one. Learning this wonderful trait means that I not only don't have as much stress as I used to, it also means that I know no matter where I am or what is happening, it is all as it should be. Being flexible also means that I don't break when life pushes me around. I know when opportunities present themselves, I can go with what is in front of me instead of sticking to what I had "planned" and it always means more fun and smiles!

Day 15-Today I am grateful for being able to be a mom who always tried to give my kids what they needed over what they wanted. I see so many kids today who are so lost because the foundations of respect, rules and hard work were left off the agenda by their parents. I was not my kids favorite person when rules were broken, but today I have a great relationship with my adult children...and I have heard more than once they appreciated the lessons and tough parenting.

Day 16-- I am grateful for calm moments. With all the upside down moments of the last few weeks, tonight the drive to Granbury to get Matt and then the drive home was calm and comforting. I am grateful for all those moments that help me appreciate when the calm arrives. I appreciate all those who help me find fun and allow me to forget the crazy parts of this life I love. Today I am grateful for calm.


Day 17-I am reminded that when life takes unexpected turns and takes loved ones away too soon, I am grateful for those who share their words of prayer and peace. I am also grateful to know about families in the midst of their grief will also seek to do the most good by donating organs to those whose life depend on them. Praying for peace for those who have lost too much and given the gift of life all in the same painful moments.

Day 18-today I am grateful for time with my Austin kids-their humor, ability to make so many moments mucho fun and far removed from the everyday--I am blessed by my mom life!!

Day 19-Today I am grateful for pain. It's not really on our agenda to say goodbye, to lose someone too early but when it happens there are messages in the process that make me think how blessed I am to feel this pain...because the absence of someone special in my life for so many years is now suddenly gone, today I am grateful for pain.

Day 20---I am grateful to read about others gratitude. It reminds me of so many more things I have to be grateful for. I have read about a friend finding something dear of her mothers as she was missing her not being a part of some events and holidays, how some are grateful for serendipity(also one of my favorite happenings), a mom who is grateful for nap time, another grateful for their job, sunshine, supportive spouse and family. We are so very blessed in this life and I love reading about your gratitude.

Day 21---Today I am grateful for the "new normal".  For several years and even occasionally I still long for the good old days.  When our family holidays were large gatherings of much food, relatives we only saw once a year and Dallas Cowboys football on tv.  Our new normal consists of less concern over the food, more about hugging all those we love and most importantly sharing what we are grateful for.  I am grateful for my good old now days and all those who keep a smile on my face and gratitude in my heart.  You are a part of my new normal celebrations and day to day.

Day#22---Today I am grateful for all the people I will get to hug, the food that I will try not to eat too much of, and the things that made me smile yesterday. The goofy gas pump that acted up while I was getting gas, so I was able to talk to my favorite cashier two extra times. The not too busy grocery store that had everything that I needed. The two wonderful friends I had not seen in forever who came and hugged me while shopping, especially the one who surprised me from behind. The invites to lunch, the sharing of stories, the time catching up all made me grateful for those special moments. The sharing of laughs with work friends that put a nice cap on the end of our work week. The wonderful Happy Thanksgiving messages, the nice weather when I walked my dogs and Words with friends-- friends who are kicking my butt with some great words!! I will manage to see all my kids for Thanksgiving, both my grands and a few extras. I wish each of you a wonderful time and sharing of those things you appreciate. I am grateful for the little things...because they make up the majority of moments that make my life so beautiful ! HAPPY THANKS-GIVING!!


Day 23---I am grateful for my little Ford--it has been a safe-reliable-and comfy friend as I have traveled many miles this year. Many trips to Granbury to grab my kiddo, miles to Austin and back to see the soco neighbors, and miles and miles and miles all over Johnson County for work when there were no company cars available---oh and grateful for cruise control too!!

Day 24---I was so busy taking a nap, playing with grands or just enjoying a day off from everything that I forgot to say what I was grateful for today--so what I just said!!

Day 25--today I am grateful for lessons learned, the ability to understand my feelings and patience to wait for what is better, next and for me. I acknowledge the less than, lonely and sad feelings and know that this too shall pass. I am grateful to be me!

Day 26---Today I am grateful for yes, saying it, feeling it and knowing that being a yes man is way more fun than a "Im not sure" guy...When life gives you opportunities--sometimes you just need to say YES!!

Day 27---Today I am grateful for humor, the ability to see the funny in the situations of life which can bring everyone a smile. I love those friends who share their wit in my life and add humor to my days. It was just last night when sitting with some of my kids and the things that we were laughing about were silly, lighthearted and made the end of day funny ever after. Learning that I do not always have to be serious, that no matter the situation I can find a reason to smile and enjoying the gift of laughter has me saying thank you to those who bring the funny!

Day 28---I am grateful for the volunteers, supporters, others who I serve on boards with, employees of other nonprofits and people in my community who care and support others who are struggling with challenges. We have the most amazing philanthropic citizens who give beyond what we could ever expect. Today while visiting with the United Way Board, getting the final numbers for this years campaign and seeing all the names of those who are giving to support our community, I am so humbled and grateful for those I call my Johnson County neighbors. The committees who is working on the System of Care, Green Book, Resource Network sharing information and resources and help! Thanks to Rebecca and her desire to solve a problem, and those who have already said yes--as we start a new project. If you are a part of those who are giving...thank you, if you aren't sure how but you want to, call me...if you are looking to donate, I have suggestions!! Thankful, grateful and blessed by those who give and give in my community.

Day 29---Today I am grateful for positivity. Knowing that the silver linings are always there, that faith dictates I should trust in the lessons and remembering that you only attract to your life that which you are--I seek to be positive-see the good-share in optimism and enjoy my glass half full of everything!

Day #30---Today I am grateful for this month of gratitude.  They say it takes at least three weeks to create a new habit and while I have been working on recognizing and appreciating all things in my life for a few years, setting a goal to document and share my blessings daily has been a wonderful step towards making it a daily habit and a great idea.  I am grateful too for all those who shared, and all those who made comments about my sharing...knowing that others appreciate what one writes is such a wonderful reinforcement and confidence builder.  So I am GREAT-FULL for my month of gratitude and blessed by each of you!

A month of gratitude can be tricky.

As I share day by day the many things I realize I am grateful for, I have been smiling because it has been so many days of great things. Special gifts from friends, anonymous letters of appreciation, special time and moments with my kids and as always those precious moments with my grand-babies.

Day after day I realize how blessed I am in this life. How many people share words of kindness, and countless invites to be involved in so much fun as well as opportunities to serve the clients of COI and serve my community. It is pretty amazing life I live. But over the last couple of weeks, I have found myself struggling some days to be grateful. It is never easy to understand death, and even harder when the person who has left our lives has meant so much to our story. Well to be honest it seems like most of the time everyone means something to my story. I have so many great people all around my life. Some I know well, some I am still getting to know and some no matter how often I see them, they are a blessing to my day. It is in the knowing that they are there that is the comfort during a rough patch.

There are no easy ways to say goodbye and it seems like the older I get the harder it gets to be. Today was a funeral for a dear person. She was way too young, but I was reminded how she lived her life. The pastor eulogizing her life said the most amazing thing, he said that she had already written her eulogy, on all of our lives. She had reached out in service always, never had a bad word to say about anybody and gave with all her heart and smiles. I can still remember being in her home at Christmas and how her house was like a Christmas cottage. I asked her how long it took to decorate every corner of her home, she simply said awhile, but that she loved doing it and sharing moments in her house with her friends. I didn't know until later that she had been a Christmas baby, but when I learned it, I just smiled.

She not only was born on Christmas, she was the human embodiment of the Christmas spirit. Her joy came in finding ways to give and give she did.

As I listened to others who knew her also, I realized we all had the same story. We knew the real Sandy, the person who got joy from giving it away. It's sad as I sit here and try to remember if I told her how much she meant to me. How the conversations that we had had about rough patches in our life had helped me to let go of being angry and see change as something that was all a part of life? Had I told her that I loved her, and that I wished one day to be more like her? Was there an opportunity to tell her that I loved her that might have slipped by? I hope not, I hope as she has made her transition that she knows a community is grieving the loss of her presence and celebrating the gift of her life. She gave us many years, smiles and moments of fun. She gave us all a part of her, and that is something no one that ever got to know her will ever forget, I know I won't. I still want her to be here, but I am learning to let her go.

I also know so many others who are grieving as well. So much loss that it is hard to grasp it and maintain a smile. A young mother I didn't know tragically gone without any warning. An old high school friend/neighbor again without any forewarning. So many friends who have lost someone close to them over the last few months...I can barely understand the losses. A niece, a mom, a sister, or a friend still brings to mind those things I should be grateful for, but it's so hard.

It's the month of Thanksgiving, and being grateful for all things is not always the easiest thing to do. But I am reminded as I type this that being grateful for those who have left is a tribute to their memory. I understand that we don't know how long we have to be a part of this story, but as we fill in the pages of our history, by loving others, forgiving some and appreciating all who have come to be a part of it, we do everyone an honor, and learn that even being grateful because we miss someone who has left is still a great example of thanksgiving.

As my favorite author Dr. Suess said 'Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.' And today I smile because someone like Sandy happened to my life.

The only thing we have to fear is ---well you know how it goes.

It's a pretty famous quote...from a pretty famous guy, and most of us have heard it over and over again through our lives. I will soon pass the half century mark, and I am not afraid--no "really" I am not living in fear of anything.

Several years ago I was blessed to have the opportunity to meet my mentor and life coach Tim. We started our relationship in an unconventional way, and ended it that way as well.

Ours was a relationship that survived long distance, thanks to very frequent online chats, lengthy email messages and the all wonderful cell phone. For well over 13 years he listened, guided and loved me in all my imperfection. He shared with me stories that not only moved me forward but taught me how to lose my fear.

I used to be afraid of everything. Afraid of being alone, afraid of not being liked, afraid of being afraid. I didn't know that it was a choice, or at the very least a very weird habit. You see for so long I had focused on all the negatives and accepted that I was being punished or given the bad stuff because I was not good enough for good. I had a perception of a punishing God that did not see me as worthy of any real happiness. He had after all given me a relationship that was not at all what I had hoped, given me life experiences that were pain filled, and had person after person leave my life and allowed me to feel abandoned over and over again.

I was so busy blaming the almighty, the husband, the ex-boss or the lady in line in front of me at the supermarket that I was convinced I was the victim of a very horrible joke.

There were many people along the path who had tried to wake me up, kick me out of my self-centered misery, or who had simply given up and quit answering my calls. I had no understanding that life was not one big drama that we were supposed to try and survive.

To say that I was a talented and drama filled drama queen would be a huge understatement. Even still through all those ups and downs there were a few who stood by me and never let me give up...although there were many times I wanted to.

Tim's timing and tenacity in my life was a blessing. I began through our many connections to understand that my life was exactly what I was accepting and acknowledging to be.

He worked by guiding me to new ways of seeing my life, building a great gratitude list, gifting me so many new exercises in living outside of the drama-cane that it had become. He shared insight, inspiration and intuitions. He gave me an understanding of self that I had somehow missed the first time I grew up. He allowed me moments of hysterics so I could find a way to calm myself. He lead me through the emotional turmoil of emotion based living to find a place of spiritual peace. He taught me to love me, and in my opinion he gave me a second chance at life. Only this time I was working to create it the way I wanted it to be, not the way I was fearing that it was.

He showed me that fear is but an emotion, and like all the others was meant only to be a signal light of where we are. A stop sign of sorts to spend a few minutes to see where the feelings are coming from, and then taking steps to feel and then dismiss them.

Those feelings like fear, or those that are fear based-jealousy, rage, contempt, hatred, bigotry are all based on a feeling of fear. Fear of the unknown, fear that someone will get what we want, fear that some thing is going to get the better of us or fear of someone who is different. Fear is not real, it is a creation of the ego originally meant to keep us safe from harm, or predators. But we have associated it with so much more in our modern lives, and most associations should never entice fear to even start, but they do.

Once I began to get my fear based emotions in check, and learned to stop and breathe and acknowledge fear every time I FELT it, I began to understand how to work past the fear and then let it go. Life has been pretty amazing ever since.

I love that I got to learn this before I had lived most of my 50 years in fear based fog. I appreciate so much being able to regain my self and to find joy in all moments. I value so much that I no longer contemplate life ending, because I am to busy saying yes to the opportunities and enjoying all that I create. I alone am responsible for my life. I make the choices that lead me to my happiness, allow me to experience the joys and appreciate all that I have the opportunity to be a part of. I am no longer envious or afraid of others because I understand that we were all created to live our own live, reminding myself that the only person I compete with is the self of yesterday. My only competition is to try and do more, share extras, and count my friends and blessings.

Today while reading someone's sharing on facebook, I had an AHA moment. It was this realization that I longer live in fear. Their story was how a person they were helping was getting ready to say goodbye to their spouse of 51+ years. Her words to the person feeling the grief, were poetic. A gift of peace that acknowledged all that the couple had shared. It would have been normal for her to feel fear, but instead she was looking at all the gifts and relying on her faith to accept the untimely timing of the next phase of their lives. Hers to continue on and his to be at its ending. She was in acceptance of all that it was and will be. An acceptance that no matter how long we get to have this human experience, not having it at all would be the only real tragedy. I have no way of knowing if I have 50 more years, or just 50 more minutes, but I am more than sure I won't spend any of those worrying about what might happen. I hope you find a way to one day understand that there is nothing to fear...and everything to appreciate, even the ending is worth the ride.