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.”

30 Days of Thanks – 13

Two years ago I had not even heard of the coaching profession. Today, I am living proof of the huge differences that a coach can bring to your business. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of personally working with 3 outstanding coaches – each the top of his/her game. They have helped me see me as others see me, and they have also shown me how to build my business by leaping up the ladder instead of taking each rung at a time. Today I had a lengthy phone call with another coach – this time just sharing some ideas about marketing and finding clients. Her patience and professionalism showed me again that there is so much to be gained by working with a coach.

If you have been reluctant to invest in a coach, think about this. If you won’t invest in yourself, how can you expect clients to invest in you? (I got that from several coaches. They are right.) The money you invest will come back to you many times over when you implement the ideas they help you with.
I am thankful for my coaches!

30 Days of Thanks – 10

Today I am grateful for the many experiences I have had in my journey as a business owner. The things I have learned and done in the last couple of years were not even on my radar when I worked for someone else. I didn’t know this world existed, these job descriptions, these software products, and all these amazing people. It never occurred to me that work could be this fun. Every day is full of amazing potential and I want to share that with everyone I know. If you are within ear shot, you’ve probably heard me “gush” about what how great my life is and how much I love what I do.

Thank you, if you are someone I have met in the last couple of years! Thanks for sharing this time, and your knowledge, support and expertise with me.

30 Days of Thanks – 8

How grateful I am that on Sundays, everyone in this country can worship as they choose. Serving my church and attending services twice each week, is a big part of my life. I know it is a big part of other people’s lives, too. As I drive down the road each Sunday morning, I pass by quite a few other churches, all denominations, welcoming members and visitors alike. Some are traditional, more formal church services. Some embrace a newer, contemporary feeling. No matter – God is in each place, for each person.

As youngsters we are taken to Sunday Schools and churches with our parents. As we grow older, we can choose to continue in that tradition, or seek out another faith or church. How great is that? Join me in giving thanks for this amazing country that was founded on religious freedom.

30 Days of Thanks – 7

Today I am thankful for life long friends. Last night my husband and I went to the LA Tech/Boise State football game in Ruston – a town about an hour away. He and my daughter are Tech alums. Anyway, we met up with 3 other couples my husband has grown up with over the years. Some since middle school. They all live within a few hours drive, so we see each other at least once or twice a year. The guys may meet for a golf day; as couples we vacation together. Our children have friendships with their children. We have been to weddings, funerals, baby showers and parties for each other. These are the kind of friends that would drop anything in the middle of the night and drive to be with you.They know our good news and our bad news.

It’s such a blessing to have friends who you can grow up with!

30 Days of Thanks – 6

I am so blessed to have a wonderful family. My folks are amazing, my sister rocks, and my mother-in-law is an angel. I’ve been fortunate enough to watch my nieces and nephews grow up, and some are starting their own families, too. We don’t have a large family, but we have a great one! Although we have already lost a parent and two siblings, they, too, helped make us what we are today.

My husband and I have been married for 27 years and have children in their 20’s. The four of us still get together a lot and keep our traditions going. I’m looking forward to the holiday season and all that fun that means for our family.

This is the true abundance in my life. No amount of money is important next to family.

30 Days of Thanks – Day 5

Today as I sit at my desk looking out the window at a completely blue sky, I am so grateful to work from home.  For almost 15 years it has provided me with so much freedom during my day. My children have grown up and gone, living in an environment where both parents worked from home. Often my husband or I can be found sitting in the garden in the backyard while talking on the phone. Or we can enjoy leftovers for lunch while watching a little TV in the den.

Being a business owner and working from home is just the best! I’m so thankful that my husband and I get to be around each other so much, even if he IS in the other room, talking loudly on the speaker phone.

30 Days of Thanks- Day 4

A few of my colleagues are participating in “30 Days of Gratitude” and so I decided to play along, too. Gratitude is a most important component of abundance. We must acknowledge all the good in our lives in order to be ready to receive more. So I am grateful today to live in a country that lets me freely worship as I choose, and speak as a choose. On the news each day we are reminded of the many places around the world that do not have the freedoms that we enjoy in the United States.

Over the weekend I was cleaning out my daughter’s closet since she has purchased her own home and now officially doesn’t live here anymore. (we’ll save that for another day!) I found a mailing tube with my Dad’s handwriting on it. He had sent her a copy of the Bill of Rights, suitable for framing, and printed on lovely yellowed parchment-looking paper. What a fantastic document. For a moment I felt like Nicholas Cage in National Treasure when he gazed upon the Declaration of Independence. We have so much to be thankful for in this country, even when times seem economically less than bountiful. Let’s remember that our abundance is not measured by our bank accounts but by the size of our gratitude.