NOVEMBER MONTHLY MUSINGS To muse: To wonder and marvel; to become absorbed in mindful meditation provoking thoughtful inspiration to unlock doors, walk through them with ease, experience the world of possibilities, and create positive life changes. Thankfulness; the state of being grateful, being appreciative of benefits received. "An Abundance of Gratitude -Generously Gift It, Generously Give It and Generously Receive It" by Coach Deborah. With November's arrival, most of us are looking forward to a Thanksgiving celebration complete with delicious comfort foods such as turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. It's the time of year to be thankful for the abundant harvests throughout our great United States of America and a time to take a few moments to reflect on what we are all thankful for today, right now, in this moment. Our family is looking forward to going to Grandma's house for Thanksgiving dinner. My daughters rave about Grandma's stuffing and potatoes. They are already grateful that their mother's not cooking. Somehow, Grandma does have the magic touch. You know, it's nothing short of powerful when we thank a person or group. It's a positive form of acknowledgement. Don't we all crave a little recognition now and then? A simple "thank you" will take you to amazing places. Gratitude opens doors and clears pathways to help us gain a new perspective and a new appreciation about ourselves and others. As the years pass by, many of us become more appreciative for the simple, intangible things in life like the feeling of pride we get when we watch our children perform in a play or the comfort we feel when we have a cup of coffee and talk with a good friend. Gratitude comes out of life experiences. Gratefulness usually has a story behind it that moves us positively forward to becoming bigger and better people. With Thanksgiving being just around the corner, our family talked about what the four of us are thankful for this past weekend. My husband's grateful for his family, health, and home. A beautiful backyard, home, friends, family, health, pet dog, extracurricular activities, (music lessons and theater), hot chocolate and family travels fill my girls' cornucopia. Family, friends, change of seasons, tucking in my youngest at bedtime, coaching, travel, and experiencing new things are my fastest ways to joy and gratitude. There's abundance and grace in finding joy in the journey and living in the present. I am enormously grateful to all of you who allow me to partner with you as you move from where you are now to where you want to be. I am enormously grateful to my family, friends and colleagues who have always supported me and continue to lift me up. Within gratitude and its grace, we come to understand the concept of "what comes around goes around." I am thankful to all of you who allow me to gift back to you and lift you up to be your best and create the life of your choosing on your own terms. Just "being" is a gift. Stop for a moment and be thankful to be here to see the sunrises and sunsets, feed the ducks along the river, watch in wonder as the first snow falls each year, laugh as your dog spins in circles when she's happy, and watch your children in amazement as they discover themselves and the world around them. On this Thanksgiving Day, make the most of what you have and more importantly, honor and value the people who walk with you in your life by acknowledging the positive things they bring in to your life and others' lives. Have a "Happy Thanksgiving" and may your lives be filled with an abundance of gratitude to generously gift, generously give and generously receive. Here's the deal... Gratitude is an attitude. There's joy in living from a grateful heart. "If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu By the way... Here are some book resources about gratitude: Chocolate For A Woman's Blessings by Kay Allenbaugh Attitudes of Gratitude: How to Give and Receive Joy Everyday of Your Life by M.J. Ryan Simple Abundance Journal of Gratitude by Sarah Ban Breathnach Recognition, Gratitude, and Celebration by Patrick L. Townsend and Joan Gebhardt             Did you know... "Gratitude is the most passionate transformative force in the cosmos. When we offer thanks to God or to another human being, gratitude gifts us with renewal, reflection, reconnection." - Sarah Ban Breathnach Give Yourself A Me Time Moment Gratitude comes in different packages. Sit back, relax, and reflect. What are you grateful for? What are the simple joys that fill you up? Maybe you're thankful for... holding hands receiving flowers coming in from a thunderstorm and getting out of your wet clothes and becoming warm, dry, and happy being proud of yourself for a job well done watching your child sleep traveling to a new place smelling coffee brewing in the morning eating your first bite of stuffing at Thanksgiving dinner sitting in front of a fire and drinking a glass of wine finding a parking spot close to your destination laughing at a good joke seeing a rainbow after it rains. On a Wing and a Prayer "My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long." Psalm 71:7-8 NLT Home Page | About the Coach | Services | Fees | Monthly Musings Clean Sweep Program | Testimonials | About Coaching | Workshops More Links: Contact me Musing Archive