30 Days of Thanks – 24

I’m grateful that each year the President of the United States issues a Thanksgiving Day Proclamation. It’s always interesting to see what it contains. This year is very plain and simple, but it still is the “official” word to me. My church has a Thanksgiving Day service, and this is read aloud at the beginning of the service. It’s been a tradition every year of my life to go to church on Thanksgiving morning, hear the proclamation and to stand up and express my gratitude.  It’s a highlight of my year. Seriously. I love it that much.  I hope you will click over and read the proclamation this year, and every year.

30 Days of Thanks – 23

On this Monday morning I am thankful to live in a climate that doesn’t get too cold for too long. Don’t get me wrong – snow is pretty. But for a day or two tops. And maybe just every few years. Our winters are a sprinkling of days when I break out the wool sweaters and hand knit wool socks. Or the occasional night when my wool coat is required. Boots? Not found in my closet. Unless you count the cowboy boots I’ve had for 30 years. The few really cold days are interspersed with many requiring only long sleeves and a fleece jacket. Often, I can still throw on a pair of shorts with a sweatshirt and be comfortable. Winter is maybe the month of January and February. Thanksgiving and Christmas are often “outside” days. It works for our lifestyle – more golf for hubby, more outside time for me.

I hope you live in a climate you enjoy, too!

30 Days of Thanks – 21

Today I am thankful for so many people who have been my mentors this year. It’s been an amazing year of learning and I am thrilled that so many have shared their amazing knowledge and skills with me. A lot of what I learned I paid for. (good to invest in yourself) But a lot has come from the talented people I have met along my journey in 2009 who have given freely of their passion and information. Some of the people were and are my coaches, and to you I send a special thanks. You have enriched my life and business in ways that I can not adequately express. To the rest of you, I hope to individually let you know how much you mean to me.

In 2010, I hope to freely share my talents with many others. It’s time to give back!

30 Days of Thanks – 20

Today I am thankful for clarity. As in, having enough clarity to know what the right decision is. Knowing what projects are right for me and which ones are not. Knowing what clients to work with, knowing what to spend my time on, knowing in what direction I want my business to go. As a business owner I can do whatever I want, but having the vision, the clear sense of direction, is a blessing.

Wishing you clarity, too!

30 Days of Thanks – 19

Today as I drove down the interstate with Anita Baker playing on the XM, my sun roof open, glorious blue, fall skies, it occurred to me that this was my perfect kind of day. I was wearing my favorite suit with my heels and panty hose (egad. do they still make those?) and excited to be the speaker at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon. It makes me very happy to go to a networking event. Call me crazy, but I love it so. I’d do this every day of the week. Love dressing up and meeting new people. Love sharing and helping other business owners. Love thinking about how they can use new marketing ideas to boost their businesses. Love the feeling of unlimited potential in the room. Today I am very grateful for networking events!

30 Days of Thanks – 18

I have the best clients! Today I am very thankful for the great relationships I have with these folks. It makes getting to my desk each day totally fun knowing that I will be talking to one or more of them. They are witty, warm, and easy going. In spite of being in different parts of the country and in different kinds of businesses, they all have something in common – they are ideal! I hope you are working with your ideal clients, too.

30 Days of Thanks – 17

This morning I taught a group of two dozen local contractors about social media. The class met their CEU requirements for the year, so it was a mixed bag of interest levels. Many did not even have websites, and some didn’t have an email address. Since I knew that going in, I was happy to entertain them with lots of examples of why and how they should consider social media as a marketing component. While preparing for the half-day class I found lots of good examples of how contractors around the country are using videos, blogs, Facebook, and Twitter. I am so thankful for how social media has changed the face of my own business, how I market, how I learn, and how I can help my clients. My Twitter and Facebook connections have proved to be the major source of information for me and I am grateful for how willing people are to share what they know. Social media also provides the socialization I crave while working from home. It’s the tool I didn’t know I needed until I found it!

30 Days of Thanks – 16

For almost 15 years I have had the great fortune to work from home, and I am so grateful for the freedom and flexibility that has afforded me. Since my office is in the kitchen there are often distractions to be tuned out. But the sunshine and space here is lovely, and I won’t consider moving into the unused bedroom. My husband has worked from home for 20 years, so our children had the luxury of always having at least one parent, if not two, available to help in their schools, assist with after school running around, and taking time to listen to their stories. We appreciates this wonderful work environment. How rich I am!

30 Days of Thanks – 15

This weekend I was fortunate to drive to Corpus Christi with a friend for a day-long meeting with a group of like-minded, spiritual men and women. I opened the door to my room at the hotel and discovered that I had a gorgeous deck that overlooked a marina and the gulf – just across the street. The 12th floor view was breath taking. I left the drapes open in order to enjoy the lights at night and see what the morning would bring. Waking at first light was spectacular and as dawn approached we were walking along the water and watched the sun rise.

I am so grateful for the amazing spiritual weekend and look forward to returning next year.

30 Days of Thanks – 14

If you have the good fortune to live in Louisiana, you are probably grateful like I am. Although I wasn’t born here, I have spent almost all of my life in this state. We have suffered at the bottom of lots of lists, but we truly are a fabulous place to visit, as well as live. While everyone knows about New Orleans and many have vacationed there, you likely have not gotten to know the real New Orleans. It’s more than the French Quarter and Bourbon Street.

You might have missed all the antebellum plantations along the Mississippi River up through Baton Rouge and St. Francisville. You may not have toured the Tabasco plant or seen the salt domes. Did you know we have amazing swamp tours all through the state and boast some of the best fishing in the country? Not to mention the shrimp, crab, crawfish and oyster farms. We are home to Creole, Cajun, and French cuisine. (Yes, we truly have the best food in the country.) Our festivals are known far and wide – not just Mardi Gras. The people are warm, friendly, and hospitable. We have a large number of refineries here. Our universities have many nationally ranked programs in academics and sports.

“Come as you are. Leave different.”