Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.  ~Russel Baker

• Go slow.  Take this time to move slower on purpose.  Find one thing and really focus on it.

• Re-energize.  Now is the time for naps and self-care.  Take time to recuperate from the harried end-of-the-year schedule.

• Take the time to smell the flowers.  Summer in New England is very different from our gray February and Marches.  Appreciate the now!

• Be a kid.  What did summer vacation mean to you when you were 10?  Find your inner child and have some fun.  Ice cream melting down your arm?  Jumping salty waves?  Soaking in the sprinkler?  Whatever it is, find some time to fit it in.

• Enjoy the now!

Well after the storm subsided the next day, I was able to get an x-ray and luckily it was only a sprained wrist.  This has meant that preparing for the holidays and sending out last minute college applications at schools has been a slow process.  I know the lesson for me was to let go of perfect and simplify. 

The other gift was in letting others help me.  My boys made me so proud, cooking dinners, hanging curtains, folding clothes, all the thins I would usually do myself so it was done right … but guess what … they did it better!  We had so much fun, and I think it made this Christmas a very special one!

The message for you:

May you keep it simple, let go of perfect, and let others help you!

Peace!

1.  Just say it – The most important part of saying thank you is the sincerity in which you say it.  Take the time to look the person in the eye and tell them specifically what you are thankful for and why you appreciate it.  Try this with strangers and service providers.

2. Send flowers – Whether it’s a bouquet or a single flower from your yard, flowers are a great way to make someone feel special.

3. Send a personal note or card – Again, don’t forget to make it personal and say how they touched you.  A humorous card goes a long way.

4. Leave a treat – Fresh baked cookies, fruit, or even some candy … who doesn’t love an unexpected snack?

5. Give a small trinket – Give a mug, colorful notepad, or silly supplies that will remind them of your appreciation every time they use them. 

6. Donate to a charity – Make a donation in the person’s name and send them a copy.  This is a great way to give twice and spread your gratitude even further.

7. Make your own certificate of appreciation – This is easy to do on the computer.  Be creative with the title.

8. Write a letter to a local newspaper or an announcement for the intercom – Sometimes an act is so moving that you want to tell the world, and we could all use some more good news.

9.  Give a gift certificate – This could be a small amount to a local coffee shop, restaurant, book store, or movie theater or make it yourself and offer a night of babysitting, car wash, or homemade meal.

10. Decorate the person’s door, workspace, or car – Streamers, balloons, and a great big thank you can go along way.

I would love to hear how you’ve shown your appreciation or how you have been thanked.  Leave a comment and share your experiences.  Who did you thank?  What did you do? How did they respond?  Have fun with it.

 

If you count your assets you will always show a profit. – Robert Quillen

In these tumultuous economic times is is difficult not to be consumed by worry and a sense of lack.   Is it important to realize that just our perception of scarcity can be debilitating to ourselves as individuals and to the economy regardless of the reality of our situation.  If we buy into this sense that there is not enough and hold on to our belongings, our money, or our energy and attention, then the natural flow of energy is interrupted, causing even more problems.  Just your perception of scarcity can cause a great deal of fear and stress, even if our reality does not match up to this "worst case scenario" media message.  For teachers this can be especially dangerous as we feel the financial strain of  the local community we work in.  And this fear can’t help but be passed along to our students through our demeanor and actions.

How can we remain calm and cultivate a sense of peace in these challenging times?  As the quote above suggests, count your blessings. 

In accounting  assets are the items that show the overall value of a business or organization.  So what are your assets?  Some may be liquid assets, such as money or possessions that could be sold.  In gratitude terms, these are our belongings we are grateful for, and often how we measure how well we are doing.  But a wise accountant knows you must also look at your intangible assets.  According to Encarta these are the "long term assets that have no physical substance, but have value based on rights or privileges accruing to the owner."  In order to see the true value you have built in your life, you need to take the time to identify and appreciate all of your assets. 

So here are some actions steps from a girl who earned an "A" in an accounting class I took years ago when I had once been feeling the burnout of teaching:

• In the morning list 5 things (don’t forget intangibles) you’re grateful for.  I put mine right into my planner to look at later on in the day when things might be tough.  Go back to this list and you’ll see how it bring you back to your reality.

• Are you a visual learner?  Create your own "Gratitude Collage".  Cut out words, pictures and other clippings from magazines and print or doodle with markers and art supplies to map out all of your blessings.  Do this with your family or your students.  this is a great activity for children.  They pick up on our fear – help them see the wealth in their lives!

This month is a great time to practice feeling gratitude. Today I read the quote above and realize that unless I am at peace with what I have, I really don’t need more. I know this could be about being thankful for "things", but for me it isn’t about that right now, it is definitely about time and new opportunities.

Time
So in order to truly be thankful for the free time you already have, begin today to log the moments of quiet you have to do as you choose, and give thanks at that time. Instead of rushing to fill every moment, take time to choose carefully between the quiet restfulness and a job that needs to be done. I don’t watch a great deal of TV, but when working on the business I do sometimes get sucked into the computer for longer time periods than necessary. Set objectives ahead for time online and again be thankful for the amazing technology that allows us to share these words instantaneously on a daily basis.

Opportunities
As far as my opportunities, I know that I need to relish in some of the opportunities that have already come my way and helped me to begin this wonderful journey. I am thankful for the belief that my parents instilled in me that anything is truly possible, and the confidence and lack of fear that has come from surviving their loss. I have been without everything. I have lost my parents, my home, and my independence yet the world did not end. In fact I had more drive to create the life I wanted and took hold of every opportunity that was graciously put before me.

Now that my life has become more comfortable and complete, I realize I cannot take these chances for granted. Be thankful for how far you have come and amazed at how much can happen in life, and then believe in how much more is yet to come. Don’t forget to appreciate the wonder and potential.