The Gratitude Book Project
Celebrating
365
Days of
Gratitude
2013 Edition© 2012 Kozik Rocha, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-9740019-7-5
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher. All product names are copyrights and trademarks of their respective owners. The contributing authors retain the copyright to their entry or entries.
San Diego, Calif.
www.TheGratitudeBookProject.com [email protected] Cover design by Becky Cohen
This book is designed for entertainment and motivational purposes. It is distributed with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in the dispensation of legal, psychological, or any other professional advice. The content of each entry is the expression and opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the beliefs, practices, or viewpoints of the publisher, its parent company, or its affiliates.
The publisher’s choice to include any material within is not intended to express or imply any warranties or guarantees of any kind. Neither the publisher nor the authors shall be held liable to any person or entity for any incidental or consequential damages caused directly or indirectly.
What Is The Gratitude Book
Project®
and Why Should You Care?
The Gratitude Book Project® started out as a seedling of an idea that quickly grew into a blossom that has become a whole blooming garden! A company mission to guide “would-be writers” to “published authors” turned out to be an ideal partnership with the subject of gratitude. It’s a great way to get started in writing while celebrating the art of appreciation.The first edition, Celebrating 365 Days
people together to share their thoughts and experiences about the power of gratitude in their lives. In keeping with the spirit of expressing appreciation and giving back, net proceeds from national sales were—and continue to be— donated to charitable organizations. From initial concept to Amazon #1 Best
Seller in only three short months, The
Gratitude Book Project® took on a life of its own. Before the first copy ever rolled off the presses, co-authors and those who missed out on the project were already asking for additional publications dedicated to the people and events in their lives deserving of special recognition—leading to Celebrating
Moms & Motherhood, The Best of Pets, A Celebration of Personal Heroes, and My Favorite Christmas Memory. For
The Gratitude Book Project® team, there was no turning back.
Silent or unexpressed gratitude won’t hurt—but gratitude out loud and in motion can be a life-changing event. An entire network of like-minded individuals from around the world have come together as part of this project and made it clear that gratitude is alive and well and here to stay!
Readers and co-authors everywhere have made a commitment to themselves
and each other to ask and answer a simple yet profound question every day: “What am I thankful for?”
To find out more about The Gratitude Book Project® and how you can join in the movement as a supporter or a
co-author visit
The Gratitude Book
Project®
is proud to donate its net proceeds from retail sales to the following
organizations:
Women for Women International who supports women in war-torn regions with financial and emotional aid,
job-skills training, rights education, and small business assistance so they can
rebuild their lives Feeding America
hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our
country in the fight to end hunger American Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals (A.S.P.C.A.) providing effective means for the
prevention of cruelty to animals The Gratitude Book Project® team thanks you for being a part of supporting these worthwhile charities.
For more information please
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January
“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude.
Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness.
Thankfulness may consist merely of words.
Gratitude is shown in acts.”
~Henri Frederic Amiel
The Boonton Friends
Boonton, New Jersey, is my husband’s hometown. Twenty years after high school, Dave and his high school friends remain closer than close, like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Since we met, I’ve always called them “the Boonton friends” because they are like a collective singular. They’ve remained a tight-knit group the way others can only hope to. To each other, they are family. (To a newcomer 15 years ago, they were a bit overwhelming!)
This year Dave needed heart surgery. We were told the procedure would be robotic and recovery would be very
short and easy. There were complications, though, and he required open-heart surgery. Needless to say, recovery was anything but short and easy! The Boonton friends rallied. Every day they checked in, one by one, on Dave—and on me. Most live at least a couple hours away, but there were get-well cards, meals delivered, gift baskets sent, visitors, and most importantly messages and calls that gave me both Dave and me comfort and strength—for the weeks and months that followed, not just right after surgery.
When Dave came home from the hospital, especially, their calls and visits lifted his spirits like no one else’s.
These people—the Boonton friends— really are family.
~ Jodi Brandon Cheung
Jodi Brandon Cheung is a writer/editor in southern New Jersey. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
January 2
Gratitude DaysI think most of us ponder the good and bad times without always being grateful. This past year’s events have made me more grateful to be alive.
My son turned 45. He is a great husband and wonderful father. I am so proud of him and my two granddaughters. They look at everything with great delight and joy. They fill me with awe.
Yes, I am so grateful for them. I am filled with happiness when they run to me, shouting “Grandma, Grandma.” I am grateful to be able to travel to see them. I am so grateful to wake up each morning to see what the day brings: sunshine, rain, or snow.
Then there are my friends, whom I cherish. They give their support so freely when I need support. I am so grateful and really not sure what I would
do without them.
My 365 days can hold so much love, sadness, and gratitude. I will always look for the best of each day as long as I have my family and friends. I know the next 365 days promise to be extraordinary. There are so many great events coming my way.
~ Sharon G. Teed
Sharon G. Teed is a retired engineer living in Toronto, Canada. She loves writing and reading to her granddaughters. Contact her at [email protected].
January 3
Blessings in Disguise
Can you be grateful when things don’t go your way, challenges come, or tragedy strikes close to home?
I don’t know about you, but I’ve had plenty of opportunities to find out the answer to that question!
One of my challenges since childhood has related to money. Living at the poverty level brought out the entrepreneur in me. Like it or not, a lot of my life decisions were based on money rather than the freedom to do
what I loved. However, this journey eventually led me to a career empowering people with regard to their beliefs and actions around money and spirituality.
I am grateful for the tough issues I’ve had to face so that my “mess” could become my message to help others. Through it all I’ve learned that everything really does work out for the best (Romans 8:28). Seeming misfortunes took me down different paths than I normally would have chosen. They led to opportunities, relationships, and life lessons that have helped me grow and serve others.
way for others has brought many blessings. What mess can you be grateful for today that could be a blessing in disguise?
~ Lois Gallo
A minister’s daughter with a career in financial services, turned author, speaker, coach, and artist, Lois Gallo inspires people to embrace
life every day. Visit
www.LivingWithHeartandPower.com.
January 4
Feeling SafeI am so grateful to finally feel safe within my own family unit. I had a fearful and anxious childhood, where dodging mind games and verbal psychological abuse was the normal. From a young age I had to learn to defend myself from people I was supposed to feel safe with. It made me feel terribly alone and distrustful.
It took until my second marriage to find someone who was strong, loving, and tender. Together we created a secure and trusting family unit with strong morals and principles—a family that stands up for what it believes in and will fight for what is right. It was my
own precious family that supported me when I was ill for a prolonged period, hugged me when I was scared, reassured me when I was down, and made me laugh when I wanted to cry. No mind games, no manipulation; just pure, open, unadulterated love.
How immensely grateful I am to feel safe within my darling family who have loved, cherished, and supported me throughout our time together, and in particular during the 13 months of illness. My precious little family, I love you more than words can say.
~ Wendy Laidlaw Anderson
her family in Edinburgh, Scotland. She founded a property support company nine years ago and enjoys relationship coaching, psychology, art, and hill walking.
Visit www.LaidlawAnderson.com.
January 5
Dance of My LifeI am fascinated by the dance in which all the parts of me join.
Systems, like children, know how to play together. Blood is like the “hostess with the most-est,” graciously making
sure all have what is needed. Cells interact joyously with great “meet and greet” skills.
Germs, disorders, traumas, and unhelpful beliefs enter the party and change the tune. This newly created dance is ponderous and difficult to move in. It’s rather like shifting into a place of denser gravity.
Because the dance must go on, we do our best to keep up, feeling out of control and unsure how long we will be stumbling to this alternate tune.
I am very grateful that a huge number of resources is available to help us heal and resume our own unique dance. The
greatest resource is our internal structure, which knows our perfection, self-heals, and encourages us toward what other help may be needed.
Sometimes I have wondered if I have a reliable dance partner. Now I trust that I am my best partner, even with detours, mashed toes, and spins that leave me dizzy.
I’m glad to be in the dance, especially when I can name the tune!
~ Carol B. Gailey
Carol B. Gailey, licensed spiritual healer, facilitates healing and wholeness using tuning forks, sound, and trauma,
and emotional release techniques. Find
her at
www.Facebook.com/carol.gailey528.
January 6
Learning Gratitude in Work
An enlightening comment regarding the benefit of hard work recently caught my attention. It pointed to the fact that such effort teaches limitations and spurred me to consider the times that I have diligently worked toward a goal only to fall short of achieving it. A job or work promotion is one area in which I have experienced disappointment; a second is
effectively communicating and achieving understanding with someone important to me.
Though initially tempted to surmise that my failures were wasted time and energy, I now see value in them. I have gained not only practical, temporal values through these rich experiences, but also spiritual, eternal ones. Good work has its own benefit, even when— and especially when—things don’t turn out as planned or expected. Work by its nature contributes to concerns larger than our own. I believe God combines our work with that of others for His purposes.
I am grateful for motivation to work hard and well toward a goal; for inspiration to perceive significance in the details of work; and for understanding that ultimately the timing, outcome, and impact of my work are in God’s hands. ~ Susan Morgan
Susan Morgan is a Mississippi-based psychological counselor and therapist specializing in emotional restoration and relational healing during recovery from addiction. Contact her at www.ThePathOfLifeCounseling.com.
More Time to Love
The pendulum swings to the beat of the ticking clock. I look at my husband’s changing face. I see the slowly appearing wrinkles and the beautiful gray hair. I look back with fond memories and a heart filled with love and gratitude for all the good years we have shared. We’ve shared a lot: dating, marriage, two beautiful children, and two wonderful grandchildren. There were dreams and joys; losses and sorrows. We’ve had a lifetime of experiences that enriched us and made us who we are today.
answer the question “What are you most grateful for?” It’s really quite simple: I am most grateful for time. Time spent together. Time to see the world. Time to enjoy our families. Time to play together, laugh together. And now, time to support him and fight the enemy together. I’m grateful—so grateful—for time. They found his cancer early. That gives us more time. More time to be together. More time to love. More time to remember what’s important. Tick, tick. I’m drawn back to the present. The pendulum continues to swing. I’m grateful. I’m grateful for times past and times to come.
Susan Brownell provides caring, online support to cancer caregivers. Caregivers
can reach her at
SanctuaryForCancerCaregivers.com. Fans of her writing can find her at SusanBrownell.com.
January 8
The Parking LotOccasionally, we all become stalled along our spiritual journey, and we each lose perspective now and then. Imagine my surprise when I found my lost perspective in a supermarket parking lot.
“Ugh! The store is packed!” I groaned as I crept along, looking for a spot. I found one, in the last row.
“It won’t hurt me to walk. I should at least be glad I’m able to walk.” I suddenly realized I could not remember the last time I felt truly grateful for anything so seemingly mundane. I uttered a quick prayer of thanks. As I approached the front door, I saw a man exiting the store in the slow, deliberate manner of a person with limited mobility. I glanced over my shoulder and noticed a second man hobbling behind me with a cane. Once inside, I was thunderstruck by the sight of a woman being assisted onto a
motorized cart. Three people in 60 seconds. This was no coincidence.
A spark ignited within me that day. While I am certainly more appreciative of my home, my family, my legs, I am most grateful for the rediscovery of something much deeper and even more meaningful: perspective.
~ Stephanie Sisneros
Stephanie Sisneros is a proud wife, mother of three, and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. For more
samples, contact her
January 9
Our Five Greatest Gifts
When was the last time you thanked your eyes? I thought so. How about your ears? Take a minute to think about how much our five senses enhance, delight, and, yes, even save our lives. I am so grateful for the gifts of:
SIGHT Art, a new baby, a beautiful sunset, colors, the ocean, a perfect starry night
SOUND Music, “I love you,” birdsongs, waves crashing, a car honking, tornado siren, or smoke alarm, a
pounding rainstorm
SMELL Roses, a Christmas tree, a cake baking, smoke or natural gas, scented candles, a crackling fire in the fireplace TOUCH Kittens and puppies, cashmere, a newborn baby, a great massage, white grains of powdery sand, lovers
TASTE A kiss, a warm brownie or croissant, fresh fruits and vegetables, Maine lobster, a great wine, tiramisu And these are just the tip of the iceberg. Take some time and enjoy creating your own list—or, better yet, do this with family and friends, and then compare your ideas. Starting today, when you
say your prayers, don’t forget to include these five amazing gifts.
~ Mary Armstrong Hines
Mary Hines, lifelong teacher and social worker, enjoys family, friends, and the beautiful California coast. She can be
found at the ocean or
January 10
What if...?What if grace isn’t just a prayer we offer before receiving a meal, but rather a way of life?
When blessing our food, we are literally infusing it with the essence of appreciation. Did you know recent research has shown each of us possesses an electromagnetic heart field measurable up to 6 feet around us? We are essentially walking, talking broadcast stations—energetic units radiating out a signal with every thought, feeling, word, and action, which is then magnetized back to us through the field environment. Scripture says that “As you think so shall you be.” Physics states that “like matter must return to its original source.” It is the Law of the Circle. Nature requires an equal exchange of energy. We give what we choose, and we receive back that which we give. It
is the cycle of giving and receiving. What we appreciate, appreciates! The true gift of gratitude we give to others is the frequency and energy hidden within, regenerating those who fully receive it. If the one thing we did was look for things to appreciate, we could live a spectacularly joyous life!
What if today, you were simply grateful for everything?
What if...?
~ Donna Koontz
Donna Koontz is an author, speaker, and licensed coach specializing in the field of human potential. You can contact
her
January 11
Grateful for My Life
I am grateful for my life and the opportunity I have to live it to the fullest each day. I did not completely appreciate this until I found out that my days might be numbered. After being diagnosed with stage-four breast cancer at age 37, I realized for the first time how precious my life is to me and to my loved ones.
as a special gift. Every morning when I wake up and my feet hit the floor, I thank God for another day of life. I take nothing and no one for granted, and I tell people in my life how much I care about them on a daily basis.
This experience has changed my life in many ways, and for that I am also grateful. I am now more courageous when it comes to taking risks, for I know that I may not have the same opportunity at a later time. I am also less serious, and I know that we must always see the lighter side if we are to facilitate change in our world. Life, I love you more and more each day!
~ Connie Ragen Green
Connie Ragen Green, an author and speaker from southern California, teaches new entrepreneurs how to build a profitable online business. Reach her at HugeProfitsTinyList.com.
January 12
Tragedy Fades, Gratitude Triumphs Kay excelled as an early-childhood educator and devoted mother. Her final years, though laced with persistent discomfort, reinforced my gratitude for the 40 quality years we spent together!
On that fateful October 2008 morning, her pain was like all other post-dialysis cramps. But the ambulance journey to the emergency room was to be her last. Three years earlier, Kay had contracted the rare Goodpastures syndrome, an autoimmune condition where generated antibodies explosively smashed her kidneys.
Weeks of chemotherapy, steroids, dialysis, and plasmapheresis produced myriad side effects, including temporary blindness. Eventually the antibody count subsided, but her immunity had been brutally compromised. Soon a heart-valve infection decreed urgent, risky, open-heart surgery.
A possible kidney transplant offered her improved lifestyle potential. Our daughter’s tests revealed pleasing tissue compatibility. Kay recoiled from placing her at risk—though eventually she reluctantly consented. But her window of opportunity had closed. Her heart valves had become infected again. Prescribed antibiotics proved ineffective.
Kay was told to prepare for her final act. Weeks later, a massive heart attack pulled down the curtain. Encores were impossible.
With sadness and gratitude intermingled, I daily celebrate wonderful memories of my truly amazing wife.
~ Vivian G. J. Hill
Vivian Hill is a retired teacher who enjoys researching and writing. His latest book details his wife’s experiences resulting from her health ordeal. Please visit MyWifeHadGoodpastures.com.
January 13
The Courage of Others
story pushes you over the last wave of fear? Who inspires you to try, to move, to win?
Everything we face today at some point was harder—perhaps even impossible —but someone did not give up. Someone made it possible. We can stand humbled by others’ stories, or we can honor them by moving ourselves, inspired to action by their stories. The courage of others can become our own.
Molly Mackenzie’s parents were of different descent, one Cherokee and the other white. She married and had four children. Her husband was an alcoholic. There was a divorce, leaving her with no support. Why is this
remarkable? She was born in 1887, a very different time. Undaunted, she started her own business and achieved success personally and professionally. She was my great-grandmother.
Molly’s story has inspired me many times in the course of my life. I have no memory of her, only a faded photograph. It is, however, my honor to have her bonnet, sewn by her own hand. Passed down over generations, it is a reminder of her legacy. Her courage was a gift to all the generations to follow, including mine.
~ Kathi C. Laughman
Laughman helps clients see more value in their story than they ever dreamed possible. Visit her website at www.MackenzieCircle.com.
January 14
Reconnect with Your Self
The Chinese pictogram for “busy” is made up of two symbols: “heart” and “killing.” How do we kill our hearts? By our busy-ness—by denying the desire to unplug, unwind, sit down, take a nap, make love, take a walk, play, listen, and simply be still.
“Sabbath” means not only to cease from activity, but also to put everything in its proper place. This is an invitation to stop what we are doing, to step back and observe what is out of place, and to realign ourselves with our original vision. It’s time to reconnect with the Divinity in ourselves and in the world. If this seems daunting, why not start with a Sabbath hour or a Sabbath evening any day of the week?
When I say “I’m keeping Sabbath,” what I mean is that I’m loving myself enough to be a human being—not a human doing. It means being grateful for exactly who and where I am.
joy, refreshment, and the deep knowing of how to reconnect with your soul so that you can be the person you wish to be in the world.
~ DiAnna Ritola
DiAnna Ritola is an interfaith minister, spiritual coach, and speaker. Find her at AuthenticIntegration.com for support in transforming relationships with sex, self, others, and the Divine.
January 15
The Lowly ToiletGratitude Book Project® to me, I loved it and the idea of people writing about something in their lives that made them grateful.
I, of course, thought immediately of indoor toilets. They are clean, are utilitarian, and control disease.
While others might wish to espouse such intangibles as love, friendship, and beauty, I appreciate the mundane!
And mundane it is. It removes bodily waste from our homes. Everyone uses one several times a day. It comes in a variety of colors to match any decor. Try to sell your house without one.
More personally, it keeps me safe from things that go bump outside in the night. It removes the necessity of a smelly chamber pot and its corollary (cleaning the chamber pot). My privacy is protected from any neighbors who might peer over my fence and note that I have gone to the outhouse more often than usual. (No, it is not dysentery; I just had a bad burrito.) In cold weather I do not have to put on snow boots.
My life is better and healthier because of flush toilets. My gratitude is sincere. And just for the record, hot running water is a close second.
Michele Chang lives in Denver, Colorado. She sporadically
maintains her blog,
SeventhAvenueParkway.blogspot.com.
January 16
Who Teaches Whom?
I yank open the mailbox, wondering what I will find today. Several thick envelopes hold promise. Should I open them now? Or save them for tonight? Something tells me I should open now. I’ve read a thousand student essays, but today I’m moved beyond words.
Where does this kind of brilliance come from? How does someone who has only lived 12 short years on this planet capture what I’ve been trying to say for four times as many years? I am constantly astonished by and grateful for the words of the students I work with; they amaze me with their insights and wisdom. I like to call them “my” students, but I am just as much a student as they are.
I thought I would teach them, but more often I am the one who is learning. They teach me about love, grace, and the beauty in small things. I am so grateful to be able to read their words, to see their thoughts on a page, and for the chance to
watch their genius bloom. I love learning, and I am thankful every day for all the opportunities in my life to learn. What could be better than this?
~ Kristin Moore
Kristin Moore makes learning math and other gruesome topics fun. She teaches middle school online and creates inventive educational videos for heart-centered small businesses. Visit MooreFunLearning.com.
January 17
Everyday GratitudeIf I were to ask you about those friends in your life who have made a difference, whose name would you share? Would this special one be from school years or adult life? For me, this particular friend has come later in my life. What a friend! We love hanging out together. We love taking walks and admiring the beauty of nature. We particularly like our early-morning walks by the lake. It is so peaceful and beautiful. We are so grateful for this time.
This friend is so supportive and accepting that I know I have total freedom to be myself. I cry and feel her sadness, laugh and feel her joy, express anger and feel her
understanding. There is no judgment, just acceptance. When I have questions, I feel her piercing eyes reading my inner thoughts. Wow! What a friend!
Her name is MooMoo, a name derived from her early years looking much like a miniature Jersey Cow. Yes, now you know! It is indeed my trusted, dearly loved friend—my precious dog.
I am grateful for our days together. ~ Joyce Buford
Joyce Buford coaches women through today and moves them into tomorrow. Her mission is to help you connect with your “shine.” Reach her at
January 18
FamilyGratitude requires noticing—to be present in the moment. Our fast-paced existence challenges our ability to demonstrate gratitude.
As a licensed counselor, I often ask my clients: “What are you grateful for?” Altering how we think and challenging ourselves to find something for which to be grateful are powerful tools in psychotherapy. A seemingly simple task that is often difficult—a reminder that
simple is not the same as easy.
It is only fitting that I challenge myself to answer the same question from time to time. Is the ease of the response an indication of the sincerity of the heart? A question left for all to ponder. For myself, I am grateful for the opportunity to work in this profession; as a counselor I impact the lives of my clients and as a university professor I impact the lives of other future counselors.
Yet, most importantly, my gratitude extends to those in my life whom I have the privilege of calling “family.” Either through blood or by choice, a loving
family lifts the spirit and lends purpose to life. To all those who have chosen me as I have chosen them: For you, I am grateful.
~ Alan Owens
Dr. Alan Owens is a counselor and an educator, as well a grateful husband, father, son, and friend.
January 19
Amazing, Serendipitous Events?
Countless seemingly unrelated events have unfolded in my life and fortunately brought me to where I am now.
I was reviewing for my Certified Public Accountant exams when my seatmate gave me a sheet entitled “Come to Canada!” A tad interested, I submitted my application to the embassy and, 18 months later, I moved to Toronto! Little did I realize, that little piece of paper would change the course of my life in ways I could not even begin to imagine.
Then there was a time when a short-term course I signed up for was cancelled at the last minute. Disappointed, I took a web design course. Now I have my very own website! Who would have thought that a class cancellation would introduce me to the Internet?
One of my untold dreams is to write and be published. This amazing opportunity finally came when Avery, my fire-walking buddy at Tony Robbins’s Unleash the Power Within seminar, gave me a book on celebrating gratitude, which she co-authored with 364 other writers. Now, I am in this book, too! Chance, sychronicity, serendipity? I am incredibly grateful that these events led me to finding something I did not know I was looking for!
~ Leah Arriola
January 20
Grateful for MovingWhat I am grateful for is something I would have never imagined being grateful for 10 years ago. Now that I have finished university abroad and moved back to my home country, I am surprisingly grateful for my parents’ decision to move around the world. I spent a majority of my childhood moving between Turkey, Canada, and Kazakhstan. While it seemed completely inconvenient and unnecessary to me as a child, I realized in university that having the experience of moving so many times
was one of the things that distinguished me from my peers; it gave me a uniqueness. As a result of having moved around among countries, and having changed schools and friends every few years, I am open to starting a life in a place that is foreign and completely different to me. I have been immersed in a variety of different cultures and now crave seeing different parts of the world. Thus, even though I used to wish I could have grown up in the same city, with the same friends, I realize now that moving has changed my perspective on life and has helped me to grow into the person I now am. ~ Gizem Karahan
Gizem Karahan recently graduated with a degree in communications from Simon Fraser University in Canada and has a passion for writing. She can be reached at
www.LinkedIn.com/in/GizemKarahan.
January 21
The Healing Power of Gratitude
Gratitude can be a powerful catalyst for healing.
When my son was 20, he lost his battle with bipolar disorder and committed suicide. After my initial shock and grief,
I settled into rage—rage at my son, rage at myself, rage at God, rage at a world that stigmatizes mental illness. I spared no one.
Rage was uncomfortable, but it beat being depressed! I became grateful for my rage. It propelled me out of bed. It kept me talking to whoever would listen, thus avoiding dangerous isolation. It inspired me to make meaning of my loss.
Being grateful for my rage curiously cajoled me into other “flavors” of gratitude. It became my mission to be grateful—for something, anything!— every day. This process softened the jagged edges of my rage and eased the
ache in my broken heart.
When I’m grateful, it’s easier to shift my focus from how much I miss my son, to how lucky I am to have been his mom. I can turn away from my suffering and step towards inner peace.
One cannot experience distress and gratitude at the same time. Go ahead; try it. It’s impossible!
Choose gratitude, and may the healing begin!
~ Celenia Delsol
Celenia Delsol, MA, combines talking and energy tapping in her grief and loss
counseling. She and her dog, Lulu, live in northern California. Visit www.EnergyPsyc.com.
January 22
Multiculturalism and Family
Once a channeler explained my reason for being in this world and in my current identity as “trying out new things and meeting with other cultures.” Although I am not so much into the spiritual world myself, I have always thought there is some truth in this statement. I am grateful because the choices I made in the past let me get acquainted with
fascinating people from different cultures, making me sensitive to the many human issues you might encounter no matter which culture you originally come from.
I am grateful because I have had the freedom, resources, and enthusiasm to make the choices I made in the past. It was my enthusiasm that drove my instincts, which in turn gave me a colorful life.
I am, of course grateful to my parents, my grandparents, and my extended family, who raised me with the ideals of freedom, patriotism, and morality. My friends and business peers have always
contributed to who I am, so I can’t deny their role in my current state of consciousness.
My biggest praise of gratitude, however, goes to my nuclear family—a lovely wife and a perfect girl, now 21. I am grateful we found each other.
~ Gokhan Karahan
Gokhan Karahan is a marketer, corporate trainer, and author. He has an overwhelming zeal for small business entrepreneurship both online and offline. Feel free to connect Gokhan through www.LinkedIn.com/in/GokhanKarahan.
January 23
L’Haim—To Life!Early morning, just about dawn, and the concert has begun.
First, a single, sweet tweet gently breaks the silence. A few moments pause, and a couplet bursts forth. Next a triplet, then a cascading chorus of sparkling birdsong! A joyful, juicy start, filling me with gratitude for the blessing of this day!
Stretching, I relish the full-body support of the mattress beneath me. Aahh.
earth, the almond tree’s soft green canopy spreads out above me. With azure blue sky deep between the leaves, the fluffy bottom of a chirping robin high on a branch gives me such a smile! Even higher, an Anna’s hummingbird, perched, looking right at me, it seems. I close and open my eyes again and again, and she’s still there, every now and then preening, shaking a tiny wing.
Breathing in, breathing out, my heart is plump with its own song of gratitude for my life. For Nature and my fellow travelers here. For moments like these— when experiencing seemingly small things, which together make beautiful music, helps to balance the stresses and
strains of Life.
What makes your heart sing, making every bit of you smile?
~ Alisa Rose Seidlitz
Alisa Rose Seidlitz, CGBP, GLC, GreenAP, garden and feng shui designer/consultant/coach, creates inside/outside beauty, health, and harmony. She can regularly be found communing with birds, butterflies, plants, and people. Learn more at www.AmbianceEco.com.
Waiting in the Dark for Water
People travel the world to find their spiritual teachers. I visited India this year to meet mine—a necessary action for the present earth and its changes. Another advisor who shares similar characteristics is my big boy, Pumpy. He knows how to care for those he loves. Sometimes when I toss and turn at night, he jumps up on my bed and circles my hand three times, and then plants his big white belly on top of it while I go to sleep. He makes me giggle while he waits in the dark in the tub under the faucet until I turn on the light and provide the exact trickle of water.
Gurus do that also. They wait for you in the dark until you are ready to accept the light, and then they can provide a steady stream of love and hope into your heart. The rub is you have to do the work: meditate, trust, get out of the way, and follow good orderly direction.
How long have I been dancing with this Tiger Tabby? Twenty-four years. Now where are Mr. Guinness and his book of records?
~ Allegra S. Harrington
Allegra S. Harrington is an Angel lover
who makes Art to Wear
and photography. She is working on her first book and lives in Connecticut with
her two cats. Find her at AllegraSHarrington.com.
January 25
Unlimited River of Love
Gratitude takes many forms. Sometimes it’s possible to be grateful in circumstance that others might consider a burden. I currently care for my 85-year-old mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. If you know anything about this disease, then you know that the disease itself does not warrant gratitude.
am grateful to be able care for her while she walks this final journey.
She was there for me as I took my first steps and said my first words. I will be there as she takes her final steps and utters her last words. It is indeed the circle of life. It is indeed an honor to take care of her.
I am grateful that I have the time and resources to take care of her as she deserves.
I only wish there ways I could do more. When you see a parent start down the path of Alzheimer’s, you learn to become grateful for small things. The
days when they know who you are and call you by name. The days when they remember the words to a favorite song and sing along with you. The days when they can smile and laugh at the antics of a small child or even a puppy. When you see them eating a favorite treat and enjoy the experience. You know that these things, too, will be soon gone, and you are more grateful because of knowing. Every small blessing matters when they are all slipping away quickly.
~ Charles Mixson
Charles Mixson, Amazon best-selling co-author with Jack Canfield, personal coach, New Money Story Mentor, Youth
Challenge Mentor, teaches women how to have breakthroughs and become financially empowered. Email him at [email protected].
January 26
Gifts from a FallIt was 2:38 in the morning of January 8, 2004. I missed a step and, in instant pain, knew my right leg was broken. My husband was asleep, and if I didn’t wake him, I’d spend the night alone on the cold, hardwood floor waiting for morning. Slowly I crawled upstairs, woke him, and sought medical care.
Recovering in a wheelchair, with a cast from foot to hip, angrily I thought, “Why me?” Then I began to value the kindness of family. My sisters sent books, and friends called and brought food. Strangers were empathetic and opened doors for me. If I was in public restroom, strangers helped me maneuver in tight bathroom stalls.
Gratitude and appreciation of being alive, able to move, talk, breathe, touch, and see beauty around me, transformed my life. With a new attitude, I see each day as a present, knowing I have what I need—a roof over my head, healthy food, clean drinking water, loving relationships—and live where freedom
is valued. I healed completely.
What do you appreciate? What you appreciate, appreciates! Write your list and update it daily. As awareness of the good in your life increases, you’ll experience greater fulfillment and happiness!
~ Nancy L. Clement
Nancy L. Clement writes how-to guidebooks that educate, empower, and enable consumers to make better financial decisions, save money, and create healthier, happier lifestyles. You
can reach Nancy
January 27
If Not Now, When?!At 34, I had two young kids and a husband, and a career I excelled at, and my life felt pretty perfect. At 35, I had a CVA, a stroke. So what am I grateful for? My two kids are happy, living full lives. The husband became abusive and he’s out of the picture. I couldn’t continue my career, but I began to paint for therapy and I created a new type of interactive art. It helps people’s brains as they use it. I collaborated with a behavioral optometrist, and consulted with neuroscientists and therapists to develop my art into a new type
of therapy. The PuzzleArt Therapy System was born! Therapists in 15 countries use it to help patients develop perceptual, learning, and creativity skills! My PuzzleArt concepts help people with learning disabilities, visual and cognitive issues, and even returning soldiers suffering from TBI and PTSD. “Wow! Who knew?” I am grateful for the disability that gave me the ability to help others. My father always woke me with: “Wake up! Wake up! There’s a bee-oo-ti-full world waiting for you out there!” I’ve taken his advice every day since. You should, too.
Alli Berman, an interactive installation artist, helps people with her art. Water baby and island lover, she plans to visit 200 countries before she dies at 120! Create your best day, if not now, when?
You can reach Alli at
www.AlliBerman.com or
www.PuzzleArtTherapy.com.
January 28
My Backyard Greets Me
Birds dining at the feeder—red, blue, gray, orange, brown, white, black—all taking turns. Some are polite and gentle; others squawk loudly, pushing their way
to the front.
Squirrels’ acrobatic feats—wires, trees, houses; perfect 10s, belly flops— everything’s a potential launching or landing pad. They claim the feeding bowl as their own. Their barking scares the birds until one remembers what’s written and they shout in unison to the clueless squirrels: bird seed.
Lizards sun themselves on the house’s redbrick walls, suddenly transformed into a desert mountain respite. Rules of gravity are suspended.
Butterflies, dragonflies, and bees share their mystical dance with everything green. I become lost in their graceful
patterns as they nurture life and themselves simultaneously.
The hawk’s unexpected arrival creates sudden unity for all creatures—those who walk, crawl, or fly. Alert your neighbor. Take cover. Fall silent. Be still.
Dancing trees respond to soft breezes, swaying with strong winds. Chimes serenade them. Sunshine streams through branches, creating patterns of light. Rainbows paint the sky. This wet canvas melts into sunset’s deepest orangey-pink. Iridescent moon glow reveals what went unnoticed. Midnight skies’ twinkling stars promise a new day’s arrival. I step outside. Life greets me.
~ Alyce Pentecost Payne
Alyce Pentecost Payne is devoted to waking people up to their joy! In classes and private sessions, the focus is celebrating God’s creation of you.
Contact Alyce at
www.ThetaTeacher.com.
January 29
Sickle Cell Disease Inheritance Gone!I am grateful for many things, especially having no more sickle cell pass down
my bloodline. I come from culture where genetic diseases are taboo. Once in your family, people avoid marrying from or into that family. Sickle cell is an inherited abnormal red blood cell affecting some people with African or Mediterranean roots. (Learn more at ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/sickle-cell-disease.) We have identical twin sons with this disease, causing us great emotional and financial burden, leading to horrible decisions disrupting family unity. I vowed to prevent this mess from passing to my next generation. Luckily we met and bonded with a family with 2-year-old twin girls, our sons then 6. Though we lived in continents apart, we kept in touch. Once the girls turned
18, I had their blood tested for this genetic trait and, once we learned they were negative, we encouraged the foursome to socialize and date. Finally they got married, the first twin to the other first. Today, we have three healthy grandsons from them. Our fears gone, perfect health of our future family assured, and peace of mind restored. Though we lost one twin son suddenly to an aneurysm in 2006, his son is alive and healthy. What a blessing! I am overwhelmingly grateful!
~ Amara Anne Onujiogu
Amara Anne Onujiogu, EdD, MPH, RN,, an aspiring author, has a
consultancy in health/family life coaching. She recently founded a non-profit that turns unnecessary Wastes of the West into Grace for the Needy
globally. Reach her at
www.AmaraCares.org
or www.DoctorMotherLove.com.
January 30
The Winter of My Life
During the summer of my life, I recognized there was an unquenchable passion within me. Unfortunately, I was consumed with the how’s that commonly arise as we maneuver life: How will I
get an education? How will I find a job and make a living? How will I find a man to marry? How will I know the best way to raise children? The how’s carried me along and propelled me to learn and grow, but they were so stressful. I remember many sleepless nights and long, deep, uncontrollable sighs as I tried to figure out what to do next.
Now I am in the winter of my life. As I look back, it has been a rich, albeit rocky journey, but what I have found is that nothing—no amount of doubt or despair, no person or event—has squelched that summer passion within me. Yes, my mirror shows me all
the well-deserved lines on my face, and it never fails to shock me the number of gravitational changes my body has endured, but here, in the winter of my life, I am eternally grateful for the invincible summer within me.
~ Angela I. Schutz
Angela I. Schutz, founder of Driven to Succeed Consulting LLC, is a published author, professional speaker, and career coach who is dedicated to helping others empower their lives. Reach her at www.DrivenToSucceed.net.
Lost My Job? What?
I am grateful for having lost my job in Corporate America after being nurtured by the same company for 13 years. In this economy, that may seem strange and even crazy. Even though it took me some time to accept the drastic change in my life, my husband’s support facilitated the transition. How could I not be grateful for the loss?
I now spend more time with my elderly mom, who I take with me on my travel ventures. As her caregiver, I have had to learn to slow down and enjoy the beauty around me. This time has afforded me the opportunity to find local treasures
and share my experiences, while providing ideas on what to do and where to go, through my travel and eco-friendly writing.
Although my days are different, I still maintain a schedule and I still look for ways to give back to others. I have the pleasure of mentoring and leading others, while volunteering with my local Toastmasters International club and district.
No high-paying job could give me the joy and unforgettable memories that spending this time with my family does. I am grateful and I enjoy the beauty and experiences of each day!
~ Gladys Monroy Boutwell
Gladys Monroy Boutwell, MBA, CPP, GB, DTM, after working in Corporate America for 18 years, moved to Oregon with hubby and elderly mother and began her writing career. She’s an avid traveler who enjoys sharing adventures.
February
“Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity:
it must be produced and discharged and used
up in order to exist at all.”
~ William Faulkner
February 1
Amazing, Exciting New Technology I am grateful for the Internet. It continues
to surprise and delight me.
My mental horizons get a daily stretch and workout with Google, YouTube, teleseminars, and webinars. Dictionaries and recipe books still have their place, but are seldom first port of call.
My emotional and spiritual roots are nourished through e-mail contact with family and friends. I still cherish letters I get from friends. The fact that they are not a daily occurrence makes them special, but it’s wonderful to be able to exchange instant e-mails with people it would take an hour’s drive to be with—friends and colleagues interstate and on the other side of the world.
The Kindle has transformed reading, one of my favorite activities. It’s so easy to download a new book! Even better, I can sample before I buy. I still enjoy holding and reading “real” books, but the Kindle is easier to read in bed! I can sample and read books that otherwise would have been overlooked or on my wish list for years.
Most interesting of all, perhaps, social media like Facebook and LinkedIn have given me a new perspective on how human interconnectedness can work in practice.
~ Justus H. Lewis, PhD
Justus Lewis, PhD, from Melbourne, Australia, teaches and practices the EMF Balancing Technique® and other life-transforming processes that invite human happiness. Reach her at Transformasia.com.au
or EMFMelb.com.
February 2
Grateful for My Struggles
Today I am grateful for my struggles. Those are the events and situations that compel me to step fully into my
vulnerability and my humanity. Those are the situations that prove to me I am good enough even when I don’t believe that.
I am grateful every single day for my struggles. And I have had plenty of them: illness, injury, betrayals, failure, unmet goals, diminished dreams, unexplained infertility, dying parents, and divorce. I was 30 when I married for the second time. We endured five years of trying to get pregnant—and I say endured because they were five long, traumatic, and awkward years.
Eventually we decided to be child-free and looked forward to being blown
around on the winds of freedom. And we could make love again for love’s sake. But the mystery of life saw a different path for us. We ended up adopting two beautiful babies.
So here is the thing: Not getting pregnant has been my deepest sorrow. Parenting my children has been my highest joy. Without one I would not have the other. Today, like every day, I am grateful for my struggles. And I am so grateful for my children.
~ Martha Pasternack
the beauty and mystery of life. Healthy healing, peace, and kindness on Earth are integral to her life. Visit CircleOfLifeCoach.com.
February 3
Be Grateful AlwaysDuring life’s rough times it is often hard to be grateful. If you’ve experienced a job loss, a divorce, or the death of a loved one, gratitude tends to take a back seat to anger, bitterness, hurt, pain, and sadness. Although it may seem counterintuitive, it’s during these times that you should strive to be grateful for
what you do have.
Ask yourself these questions:
Did I wake up today? Then be grateful you are around to live another day. A patient dying of cancer in the hospital would be.
Did I eat today? Then be grateful you aren’t starving. A child in Africa who hasn’t eaten in two days would be.
Am I reading this? Then be grateful you have the ability to read. A woman in Afghanistan, where the illiteracy rate is over 70% for females, would be.
Then be grateful you have somewhere to sleep. A homeless man shivering in the cold would be.
Am I feeling more grateful now? If so, remember that feeling and practice gratitude every day. Life can be hard, but it can also be wonderful. Be grateful; I know I will be.
~ Diane Adkins
Diane Adkins is a divorce recovery specialist, certified life coach, and NLP practitioner whose strategies and solutions help women move beyond their
midlife divorce at
February 4
Explorations Launched
When my eyes first opened on that distant February day, the world of mystery and gratitude had begun. From an early age I loved to explore. This was encouraged by my parents, whatever routes I decided to take. Nature soon captured my heart. Now, after a lifetime in the behavioral and brain sciences, I often think back with deep gratitude to the supportive upbringing I had.
To my parents my adventures must have often seemed mysterious. I collected junk from junk piles and was especially
inspired by animals, anywhere I could observe and hopefully share my life with them. This culimated in rewarding research work and companionship with a variety of animal species. Most noteworthy, perhaps, was my dear wolf friend, Lupey, whom I raised as a pup and kept his whole life. Philosophical underpinnings of knowledge became a later compassion, one that I still hold and build upon.
Now I am writing a book about my magnificent wolf friend, and in doing so am reminded how deeply grateful I am to all who have made a rewarding life possible. Each day is a new mystery and new joy. Conscious gratitude remains a
guiding principle in my life. ~ John C. Fentress
John Fentress, PhD, is a behavioral and brain scientist to whom the natural world has always been a source of mystery and gratitude. Learn more at EthoLife.net.
February 5
Stay Hopeful. Miracles Happen.
The deafening silence in the consulting room seemed to go on forever. I couldn’t surrender to the panic rising, because my sister, Pat, was watching my response.
Her pleading eyes were willing me to look at her. I couldn’t. I wanted to scream at the doctor: “Don’t just sit there, saying nothing!” Instead I said, “So, that’s it. There is nothing you can do?”
“I’m so sorry.”
Pat, at 45, had just been condemned to death: secondary breast cancer with complications. I’d been there before with my mother and my daughter. Mum died of lung cancer. At age 8 my daughter, Charlotte, was given 12 months to live. I didn’t believe that then, and I didn’t believe this, either. Pat and I left the room bewildered but
unaccepting. We researched and questioned and pushed for further investigation. My sister stayed strong. I prayed for a miracle.
I am grateful to God for giving us strength and a miracle!
I am grateful to the consultants who tried again and found a way.
Mostly, I am grateful that, today, my sister and I are still laughing together, loving together, and just being— together.
Stay hopeful. Miracles happen. ~ Christine Conroy Holt
Christine Conroy (Holt), is the author of the forthcoming book Help Yourself to Happiness: Stitch Your Own Silver Lining on Every Cloud. Visit www.ConroyCoaching.com.
February 6
Grateful for Reproductive Freedom My life is child-free by choice. Growing up, I saw how my parents struggled economically to provide for my three sisters and me. I saw the sacrifices my mother lovingly made for us. At 16, observing so many young women who chose motherhood over education and a
career, I decided I preferred the latter. At 18, I started on the pill. At 30, I had a tubal ligation. It felt like a burden lifting off my shoulders! My decision has given me a greater freedom to pursue education, travel, enjoy economic stability, luxuriate in solitude, and devote time and energy to a husband and a rewarding career.
Although most women love having children, I knew in my heart I couldn’t endure the responsibilities or heartaches. Women have suffered unwanted pregnancies since the beginning of time. I am eternally grateful I had the freedom and the means to make my choice with a clear conscience and
without social disapproval. Yes, the path I chose puts me in a minority, yet it remains the happiest decision of my life! I am grateful to live in a nation where women have reproductive rights. I wish women everywhere could share in this precious blessing.
~ Judith E. Pearson, PhD
Author, speaker, and life coach Judy Pearson, the Habit Maven®, helps people banish terrible habits and start new ones they’ll love. Her latest book is Why Do I Keep Doing This?!!
February 7
Appreciating Our Senses: Priceless! We often don’t realize what we really have—until we no longer have it.
That seems to be particularly true for each of our five primary senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. They add such incredible dimensions to our lives, don’t they?
It is these senses for which I am deeply grateful. They allow us to individually perceive our own little world—and the big one in which we live.
singularly valuable above and beyond all the others.
There is no sensory gift greater than that of sight. It is hard for me to imagine how difficult life would be without it.
I’ve been fortunate to interact with the founder and the executive director of Blindskills, Inc., a non-profit organization that links visually impaired people to resources and support systems. These two extraordinary leaders are both blind, yet they have not allowed the loss of their sight to deter them from doing good work for others—nor from fully participating in life.
If you have your five primary senses, and especially if you have your sight, join me in being grateful for them.
I “see” that our senses are priceless. Don’t you?
~ Craig A. Cline
Craig A. Cline has written various articles about peace and justice. He has a book in process, for which he will be grateful to finish!
February 8
The Gift of IllnessMy sister had just died, another family member was fighting cancer, and I was dealing with health issues of my own when I agreed to write a gratitude essay for this book. Mired in grief at the loss of my sister and worry over my other family member, I asked myself what in the world I was going to write.
Then it occurred to me to write about what illness teaches us. The past can’t be changed, and there is no guarantee for a future. So many of us spend so much time hashing over the past and worrying about the future that we miss the gifts of the present. Illness can take away, but it also can enrich. It teaches us to treasure what we have in the present.
Focusing on the present and the positive rewires the mind and provides a happier life by enhancing a gratitude attitude. Try it. Make a list daily of what you have for which to feel gratitude. It’ll keep you grounded in the present and change your life.
~ Pam Murphy, MS, RRT
Pam Murphy, MS, RRT, actively supports and assists her clients in transitioning to a “healthstyle” that supports optimal health and well-being. Visit her at OptimizeToHeal.com.
