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I am so darn happy that Thanksgiving is today. It’s not the food I’m excited about, however, I’ll probably consume more calories in one sitting than I normally do in a week. It’s definitely not the three-hour drive I’m looking forward to, although I’m curious to see the place where we’ll be gathering. My extended family has grown to such a large size we’ve had to rent a house this year because we no longer can fit comfortably in any of ours. How’s that for tradition?

Anyhoo, the reason why I’ve got such a stupid smirk on my face is I get to spend four days hanging out and catching up with a lot of silly, goofy people like me. My family may be a little strange, but I can’t think of a better way to spend a long weekend. With the limited amount of time we get to see each other these days, it really is a beautiful thing when all of us can be together in one place. May you and yours have a Happy Turkey Day!

~Things to Remember in November~

A few years back, I kept a gratitude journal for a year. I wrote five things I was grateful for at the end of each day. It was an enlightening experience to say the least. When I first started, some days were rough enough it was a challenging endeavor to come up with anything, while on others I wish I’d had more than five lines. Initially, I wrote down things that happened to me during the day. I had a nice lunch with friends. I received flowers from my boyfriend. I got a raise. As the year progressed, I noticed a dramatic shift in what ended up on paper at night. I started writing more about the things I might normally have taken for granted. Receiving a smile from a stranger. Hearing the delightful giggle of a child. Breathing the air around me. As my daily practice continued, it became easier to see (even when I’d had a really crappy day) how many things I was grateful for in my life.

It’s easy in this fast-paced world of ours to forget how much we have in our lives to be thankful for. When we do take a moment to acknowledge our blessings, often we’re quick to give thanks for the things that are easiest to see: our family, our friends, our health, our work. Challenging oneself to look beyond the obvious can take gratitude to a whole new level. During this holiday season, I encourage you to become more aware of the abundance that surrounds you. Give thanks not only for the many things that make your life what it is, but also remember to pat yourself on the back for the innate gifts you have that you give to others. The truth is…what goes around comes around. Here are just a few of those natural gifts you can give at any time.

5 Forgotten Places for Grace

1) Compassion - have empathy and understand someone else's situation the best you can.

2) Forgiveness - know when to say you’re sorry. Know when to let go.

3) Laughter – share your unique delightful expression as often as you can with as many people as you can.

4) Silence - listen to another with your ears and with your heart. No words can be a greater gift than the best advice.

5) Touch - make connections with others that express how much you care. Hold a hand. Hug a lot.

What gifts of yours can you give to others this holiday season?
How might your life benefit by making gratitude a daily practice and not an afterthought?

I’ve kept that journal from 1997 and will occasionally rummage through the various boxes I have in storage to find it, dust off its pages and read what has become, in my mind, an inspirational best-seller. When you forget about the many blessings you have in your life, grab a piece of paper and write down five things. Trust me. What you’ll see will not only make your heart swell with gratitude, but you’ll be reminded of what you can give to others as well.

Sacred Love by Sting
Ever get a new c.d. and play it over and over again because it just keeps getting better the more you listen to it? Sting’s latest release is an eclectic mix of soulful ballads and upbeat dance tracks. I always find it amazing when a musician can continue to create outstanding music over many years. Like a fine wine, the older Sting gets, the more in-depth and pleasurable his music becomes. He’s not so bad looking either.

Under the Tuscan Sun
No matter what you may have heard or read in the newspapers, this is a GREAT movie. Based on the real life story of Frances Mayes, this movie will make you believe that you too can move to Italy, find a dilapidated villa and renovate it, all while being romanced by gorgeous men and learning how to cook fabulous Italian meals for ten. Did I mention you get to live happily ever after? Even though Frances encounters a few bumps in the road, she does end up completely blissed-out in the Tuscany countryside. Until I can make that little fantasy happen, I guess I’ll go uncork a chianti and turn on the travel channel. Sigh…

In his first week of public office, Arnold Schwarzenegger is already using “Lighten Up!” as his catch-phrase with all the elected officials he’s trying to win over. I’m usually hesitant to get involved in politics, but perhaps I should find out how I can contact the new governor via email and ask if he’d like to subscribe to my newsletter.

Why not…give an outrageous answer to the question ”How are you?”
Tell it like it is. Don’t even let the word “fine” come into your thoughts. Tell everyone how you really feel when that question is asked. Most people are expecting you to give a one-word answer and go about their business. It’s likely they’re so used to hearing what comes next, they’re not even really listening to you. If you want to make sure your feelings are heard, create a response that demands attention. If your outrageous answer doesn’t get at least a giggle or an eyebrow raise, fire back with “Do you care?” That ought to stir things up some.

Saving money has never been easier…do not go over your allotted cell phone minutes.

Having goals is a good thing. When striving to achieve them becomes a struggle, it’s either time to reevaluate if they’re what you really want, choose new goals or (here’s a subtle suggestion) get a coach. (<:

You have enough. You do enough. You are enough. Enough said.

What are you thankful for this holiday season?
When do you make time for grace in your life?

Care to share what these questions stir up in you? Need some support around the hectic pace of the holidays? Send me en e-mail. I welcome your thoughts and will respond to all e-mails received.

My business partner and I are planning our next Get Real! workshop for a weekend in January and the details will be forthcoming very soon. Start thinking about what you want to create in 2004 and get ready to Get Real with us in the new year. In the meantime, you can check out my website Playful Spirit to learn more about the work I do as a life coach and facilitator. Check back frequently as more fun pages and resources are always in the works and being added.