Tag: gratitude

Saying Good-Bye to 2020

As the year winds down and we get ready to say good-bye to 2020, we have a choice to make:

Will we focus on what 2020 has taken away from us?

                                     OR

Will we focus on what 2020 has given us?

It’s certainly tempting to think only of the deprivation, loss, grief, and distress that 2020 has delivered. We can’t deny that many elements of this year have been devastating.

New phrases have become part of everyday vocabulary:

Abundance of caution    Work from home

Hybrid schedule              Wear a mask

Online education             Lockdown

Social distance                 Stay safe

Covid-19 dashboard        Numbers are up

 

Let’s also take a look at what we have learned during this year. 2020 has taught us about:

Compassion

Gratitude

Kindness

Patience

Resilience

2020 has reminded us to appreciate those things we may have taken for granted:

Family

Friends

Colleagues

Community

Housing

Three meals – and plenty of snacks – a day

Many of us have been reminded to slow down and appreciate the simpler things life has to offer:

A walk in the park

Small family gatherings

Fire pits

The unconditional love our pets offer up daily

Reading a book in a warm, quiet room

And who doesn’t have a new appreciation of toilet paper??? Yes, there is humor in 2020; and let’s allow humor be a part of each day and each lesson learned.

As we head into 2021, let’s review 2020 with an eye toward what we have accomplished in spite of – or because – of the challenges we faced.

Take a look at your 2020 calendar and find one activity / event / accomplishment that brought you joy in each month.

Review the books you read. How many books did you read?

Did you learn a new skill, start a new hobby?

Did you change careers? Get a promotion?

Have you become a teacher or teacher’s assistant for your kids?

Did you get outside more in 2020 than you normally do?

Were you able to deepen relationships with supportive family and friends?

Were you able to reduce the involvement of people in your life who don’t support you?

Did you ask for help when you needed it?

Did you offer help when you were able to?

Set yourself up for success in 2021 by focusing on what you can control:

Schedule time to get together (whether in person, via phone, or virtually) with people who bring you joy.

Get up 15 minutes early and do something that makes you happy:

Have a quite cup of coffee or tea.

Read without interruption.

Write out your intentions for the day.

Get outside and appreciate alone time.

Meditate.

Identify health goals.

Make a list of professional goals.

Write a list of 21 things you’d like to do in 2021.

Take a break from media.

Celebrate the goodness of each day.

As we ease into 2021, reach your goals by taking one small step at a time.

Saying Good-Bye to 2020 was last modified: December 31st, 2020 by Deb Nelson

Welcome November: A Month of Giving Thanks and the Thankful Pumpkin

November and thanks go together like peanut butter and jelly. The mention of Thanksgiving brings to mind memories of families gathered around a table for a feast that takes hours to prepare and minutes to devour.

It’s common for us to travel long distances through wild weather to enjoy this annual tradition. Will that happen in 2020? Maybe. Maybe not. Regardless of whether Thanksgiving 2020 looks like Thanksgiving 2019, there is much to be thankful for and celebrate. And there is much anxiety as well.

Spoiler alert – there is good news to report: Enter the Thankful Pumpkin to lend a hand in getting our emotions under control so we can enjoy and appreciate this season of giving thanks.

Thankful PumpkinEight years ago, Amy Latta wanted to highlight positive aspects in her family’s life – to benefit both herself and her kids as she taught them about gratitude and Thanksgiving. Here’s how YOU can enjoy a Thankful Pumpkin:

Buy a pumpkin. Any size, any color will work.

Write whatever it is you’re grateful for (items / people / experiences) on that pumpkin with a permanent marker.

Here are a few examples to get you thinking:

A warm home

Nutritious food for you and your family

Social media – yes, social media can be a good thing! When used for good, it keeps us connected to friends and family, allows us to stay in the know about things that matter to us, and more.

Zoom – to keep you connected with friends, family, colleagues near and far

Favorite places to visit

Television shows that have made you laugh during the pandemic

There is no need to complete your Thankful Pumpkin on one sitting; in fact, it’s great to make this an ongoing event throughout the month.

Keep your Thankful Pumpkin in a place where you and your family will see it regularly. Continual reminders of those things that bring a smile to our face can add a joyful element to your day.PCRM - Nutritious Pumpkin

And, of course, our friends at Physicians Committee for Responsible remind us in the image to the right of the health benefits of including pumpkin in our diet.

Give it a try! Let me know if the Thankful Pumpkin brightens your day and lifts your spirits!

Welcome November: A Month of Giving Thanks and the Thankful Pumpkin was last modified: November 5th, 2020 by Deb Nelson

The Season of Gratitude: A Bit Sweeter This Year

Thanksgiving has come and gone. My husband and I celebrated the holiday with his family in Massachusetts this year – and what a grand celebration it was! Ages in our group ranged from 2 to 82(ish?) with the promise of another baby joining our clan on January 3.

Squeals of delight and peals of laughter could be heard from young and not-so-young, and the younger group kept the rest of us on our toes – especially when it became apparent that being naked was essential for anyone under the age of 6! Of course, we were reminded that the food (delicious as it was) took a backseat to spending time with family. We were lucky enough to spend some extra time with a few members of the family before heading to Newport, Rhode Island where the traditions of yesteryear were on display as we toured three mansions decked out for the Christmas season. Lunch with old friends and coffee with new friends before visiting my mother and sister on our drive north completed our Thanksgiving celebration.

And now, as I relax in the comfort of my home in Maine, I continue to bask in this season of gratitude:

Finding Health After CancerAfter working on a manuscript for seven years, I have published Finding Health After Cancer: Stories of Renewal and Healing. A number of people (23 to be exact) allowed me to share their stories of navigating a cancer diagnosis. Each person faced a life-challenging and life-changing moment in his or her own way. Each of these cancer conquerors was forced to make a variety of decisions as they navigated their path to health. Priorities shifted without warning as they learned their diagnosis. They began asking questions, listening to friends and family members, tuning in to their intuition, and researching options. They transformed their lives following their cancer diagnosis. Treatment varied from person to person: some people followed a conventional treatment plan, while others turned to complementary and alternative treatment.

They had one thing in common: they found a way to steer clear of a downward spiral when they were handed a cancer diagnosis. They looked at their options, decided which treatment suited their particular situation, and forged ahead. They also became advocates for themselves and other cancer patients.

One additional story was included in this book to turn our focus to prevention: what can we do to keep a cancer diagnosis at bay? Again, another strong advocate for healthy living took center stage.

As I write these words, I am reminded of how grateful I am that:

  • so many people had trust in me to share their stories;
  • I connected with wildly talented professionals to help me share these stories;
  • friends came to the table with encouragement, questions, and smiles;
  • my husband never wavered in giving me the time and space to complete this book;
  • self-publishing is a viable option for putting books into readers’ hands;
  • AND SO MUCH MORE.

As the world keeps jumping from hot topic to hot topic, try to find some quite time where you can focus on those elements of your life that bring you joy, gratitude, and calm. Wild and wooly will always make their way into your life; sometimes chilling out brings remarkable clarity.

 

The Season of Gratitude: A Bit Sweeter This Year was last modified: November 27th, 2018 by Deb Nelson

Challenge On: Expressing Thanks

Thank you: Arguably the two most powerful words in our vocabulary. The challenge to myself: extend a formal thank you
via handwritten note to at least two people a week for a good
turn they’ve done for me or others. Challenge begins today and runs through 2016.

thank you banner-1186625_1920

It’s easy enough to say thank you – via text, email, snail mail, phone, in person – at any point in our day. When I worked in the nonprofit arena, I conveyed my thanks every day in a variety of ways for the many generous acts done on behalf of my nonprofits by volunteers and donors. Since those days (which ended five-plus years ago), however, I’ve been a bit remiss in extending thanks for the many good deeds that have benefited me.

A quick on-line search for the definition of thank you includes the following:

a polite expression of one’s gratitude

a polite expression used when acknowledging a gift, service, or compliment, or accepting or refusing an offer.

When used in it’s [sic] true form (not merely out of obligation) it is an expression of respect and appreciation to another soul (and simultaneously to all beings) for the unconditional kindness that has been bestowed upon you

Exclamation used to express appreciation to some for offering or giving you something, for helping you, or for asking how you are feeling

For me, thank you and gratitude are inextricably linked together. I owe a debt of gratitude for many and find that expressing gratitude via thanks provides a variety of benefits for me:

  • thanks - gratitudeServes as a reminder of the good deeds done on my behalf
  • Acts as a natural mood enhancer
  • Spurs me on to do a good deed on someone else’s behalf
  • Forces me to slow down and appreciate the moment
  • Boosts productivity in all areas of my life
  • Underscores how a seemingly small act can have ripple effects
  • Reminds me that there is a lot of good happening in the world

Join me in your own way in adopting an attitude of gratitude and thanking those near and far who lend a hand to your success.

Challenge On: Expressing Thanks was last modified: February 23rd, 2016 by Deb Nelson

Attitude of Gratitude: There’s a Lot to be Grateful for in my Life

A favorite lunch spot along Maine's rocky coast in Bar Harbor. Uninvited seagulls never fail to join us.
A favorite lunch spot along Maine’s rocky coast in Bar Harbor. Uninvited seagulls never fail to join us.

Faceboook is overflowing with gratitude challenges. People are challenging their friends, family, and colleagues to identify those things in their lives for which they’re grateful. My friend, Maura Halkiotis, challenged me to identify and post three things I’m grateful for each day for five days. I altered the challenge a bit: here’s my list – all 15 in one day, no particular order except for number 15 (no skipping ahead).

  1. Laughter. Listening to a child’s infectious giggle or an adult’s belly laugh stops me in my tracks and immediately puts a smile on my face.
  2. Coffee Shops. Working out of my home as a consultant has given me a great appreciation of coffee shops – even though I’ve ditched coffee for green tea. These satellite offices provide a place for me to meet with clients; allow me to be in a room with people when I’ve spent too much time alone; and, of course, there’s always a great cup of tea or snack awaiting.
  3. Friends and Family. There is nothing like sharing successes and setbacks with people I love and respect. I’m blessed to have family and friends who open their hearts and homes to my husband and me; and I’m especially grateful for those of you who share your children’s worlds with us.

    My preferred mode of travel takes me through the marshes of Cape Cod.
    My preferred mode of travel takes me through the marshes of Cape Cod.
  4. My Bike. My pink bike has taken me places I never imagined I’d travel. And, yes, I’m grateful each of those 30 gears to power me over hills and through trails.
  5. Water, Water Everywhere. Beaches, marshes, lakes are mesmerizing. I feel lucky every day to live in the beautiful State of Maine. The rocky coast is a stunning backdrop for a good life.
  6. Second Chances. We can all use a do-over every now and again.
  7. Living in a Country Where Disagreements / Debate Take Place. While our country certainly has its issues, there’s no place in the world I’d rather live. Disagreements can be debated publicly; political change takes place seamlessly; in spite of disagreements, there is a sense of compassion (most of the time) that transcends politics.
  8. Generosity and Philanthropy. Working in the nonprofit sector allowed me to see on a daily basis how dedicated people are to helping those in need. The generosity of people to share their time, talent, and financial resources is truly heart-warming.
  9. Public Spaces. Imagine a world without public beaches, parks, or museums. No thank you.
  10. Pioneers. I’m so grateful for those bold pioneers who turn a deaf ear to the naysayers and forge a new path.
  11. My Health. I’ve been researching the relationship(s) surrounding lifestyle and cancer for close to three years now. I’m grateful every day to be healthy, sometimes in spite of my choices, and sometimes because of my choices.
  12. Loud Music. Whether I’m cooking in my kitchen or driving my car, a loud blast of music can change the shape of the day.
  13. Artists. Creativity provided by artists – photographers, painters, singers, musicians, etc. – opens our eyes to new possibilities and perspectives.
  14. Social Media. The power and ease of connecting has never been greater since social media entered our world. Personal and professional lives collide, multi-generational conversations bloom, and the world is a better place for it.
  15. John Nelson. I saved the best for last. I’m grateful every minute of every day that John is in my life. Lucky me to have a husband who is my best cheerleader, sounding board, and friend.

This was a valuable exercise for me to complete. While it may sound a bit contrived, developing an attitude of gratitude can change the way you see the world AND the way the world sees you. So give it a shot: I encourage (or should I say challenge)  you to take a few minutes and think about those people / places / things that make you smile even when you’re trying your hardest to be cranky. Don’t let anyone else write your story; it’s yours to tell.

Attitude of Gratitude: There’s a Lot to be Grateful for in my Life was last modified: September 18th, 2014 by Deb Nelson