Graciousness.....it matters

Technically I missed a day on the blog, but I'm not going to let it deter me from my mission. If it's rationalizing....so be it. Like many other American's, yesterday I was completely caught up in the vote, democracy at work. I have a point of view for sure but what I feel most grateful for today is the graciousness that was exhibited by all involved after the votes were in and the numbers were tabulated. Many of us are, or I should say most of us are so sick of the mudslinging that has become the norm during our elections. It seems as though we have lost our civility and anything is fair came to say in order to win. Both of the presidential canditates as well as senate race canditates and house seemed to show a new civility yesterday at the end of the day. There was no chant of a recount, no sore loosers, no over the top winners....it was a good day. . Will it last? Who knows, I certainly hope so, but today it gives me great hope. I am grateful for change in the political climate today, the goodwill and cooperative spirit that was so evident late last night.

Feeling Strong....

Ok, here we go to day five of my "Grateful on Purpose" campaign and I'm starting to scramble a little bit here. It's been a fine day, no major worries to speak of, just the chronic little ones we all have....like our kids happiness and their ability to make it in the world, the random  thoughts about a path not taken  or an opportunity missed. I needed to really stop for a moment today and take a breath and focus when I recognized how today I feel physically really good. My knee has worked itself out, my sinuses are clear again, my mood feels pretty good, especially since it's so gray outside. All in all.....I feel pretty lucky to be as healthy as I am, to feel as good as I do and to have no major health concerns. When you get to a certain age it seems the odds start to work against you.

My body has served me well. It has carried my two children, fought off illnesses, learned to jog at age 49, adapted to yoga at 50 and seems to be handling these hormonal changes as well as I could have expected. I am so grateful to have this strong, resilient healthy body. I'm so grateful to feel good today. Again this grateful campaign seems to  reminds me to focus on the simple things we take for granted because in the end....as it turns out....those simple things are the life of life.

Time Well Spent....

I'm already on day four of my  intentional gratitude blitz! I can honestly say I feel myself shifting a bit, feeling brighter I guess you could say,  as I spend a few moments each day reflecting on what's good in my life. Today was the annual Mother/Son Brunch for Naperville North and I am so happy I was able to attend  with my son Russell. Being the mother of a teenager is an often complicated ride with the occasional mixed bag of emotions. They are trying to seperate from us as they prepare to leave home, we are trying to let go but don't always fully trust that they don't need our input at every turn. Sometimes it all  doesn't come off as gracefully as we would like, on both sides.

But today was just an easy day.... to spend some time together, hang with friends, eat some good food, maybe win a raffle or two (we never win....), and enjoy each others company. I'm feeling grateful my son enjoys my company, that I enjoy his and that we take the time to  participate in simple things like this Mother/Son Brunch. It's been a good day. I love you Russell!

Here's to you Mom.....

Ok, it's day two of my gratitude challenge. Today I am grateful I get the pleasure of spending the day with my amazing mother! She has been the most influential person in my life in so many ways it's hard to even begin to name them all. Today though....it's just a fun day of wandering the South Loop Loft Walk together. We will put our mindbending existential conversations aside and just enjoy looking at cool lofts. She and I can vascilate betwwen deep, intense wonderings and then on to some sort of fluff more seamlessly than anyone I know. I love that about us! I am so grateful to have been blessed with this mother. I love you mom!

Ahh Yes, Sunshine....

Today I feel incredibly grateful for the sunshine. I am at times reminded, after several gray days in a row, how much the sunshine lifts my spirits. It puts a spring in my step. The sunshine reflecting off all the piles of gold and red leaves in my yard is a beautiful and nostalgic fall canvas. I'm glad I chose to have the eyes to see that beauty today.

Grateful on Purpose

I've decided to do something a little ambitious for the month of November. Every day of this month, I'm going to name one thing I truly appreciate and take the time to create a small blog post about it. Every day. (If you ever look at my site, you'll see this is a big commitment for me, as an only-occasional blogger.) But I want to force my focus onto gratitude, consistently and on purpose.

So this November, as Thanksgiving approaches, I'm going to open my eyes in a deliberate way to what is beautiful and good around me. When Thanksgiving Day arrives, I won't have to rummage around in my brain for something to share with family and friends at the table. I hope my heart will be so full of thanks that I might not need to say anything at all. I encourage parents to try this with your kids. Ambitious? Maybe, but give it a try anyway. What's the worst thing that can happen......?

So, without further adieu......

I am grateful for my beautiful and wise mother. She's over her horrible cold and feeling better! Yeah! My mother taught me and showed me the importance and fearlessness of searching deeper into one's self and listening to their heart and finding one's own true path. Without her gentle encouragement and validation I'm not sure I would have found myself in this profession....one that I love so much and feel privledged and born to do. So thank you mom, I love you!

Checking Homework

‐ PNP Method

PNP stands for “Positive

‐Negative‐Positive”.

Whenever a youngster brings any piece of

school work to you, the first thing out of

your mouth must be something positive—

some type of praise. You might for instance,

simply praise the child for remembering to

show you her work. After saying something

nice about the child’s effort, you may then

make a negative comment, if it’s absolutely

necessary. Finally, you conclude your

insightful remarks with something positive again.

This type of response will help bring her back again and again. Kids will never want

to bring you anything if you follow your natural human inclinations and shoot

from the hip with criticism.