Wowza, have we hit a cold spell. It got down to -30 wind shield today….bloody cold. Today, I’m grateful for a warm home. Not just a warm home….but a I’m not going to worry about the heating bill warm home. Great snuggle weather and the perfect day to wear those beautiful knitted sweaters and scarves from Mom-thanks Mom for helping me stay warm!

I’m also grateful for a strong and challenging work out. It felt gratifying to release stress and get the serotonin flowing again. Love that feeling after I leave the gym and am in such a fabulous mood. Will try to do more of that in the next couple of weeks….might be a strategy to beat the stress and not be a beast to my family and friends.

How will you beat the stress during this busy Christmas season?

Today, I received an opportunity to participate in research and since I’m in a research course I’ve become more interested and invested in ways to become involved. I’m grateful to be able to learn about research in an real life experience.  I feel greater level of respect and understand how valuable research is in the innovation process.

I’m also appreciative for a good night’s sleep.  It’s invigorating how I feel and how well my day and mood is affected when I get the kind of rest that is needed.

What simple pleasure are you grateful for you today?

Wow, what a busy day today….it just flew by. A couple of new team mates started today. It’s always exciting when new people join the team. New energy, new ideas, new people to joke and have fun with. Am thankful we are fully staffed once again. It’s been a long time coming and I look forward to be able to spend time on projects that have been on the back burner for awhile.

Am incredibly grateful for the sky way system in downtown Mpls. It makes getting around downtown quick and easy, but most of all warm. And on a day like today where the windshield was -15 moving around inside was the only way to go. One more day of winter down. One more day closer to Spring!

What a wonderful time of the year! Christmas and the new year is almost upon us. People are preparing for the holidays. Today, we spent some time preparing ourselves. We’ve got a secret project we’re working on…..shhhh. Someone will be quite happy with their gifts this year! I’m grateful to for gift ideas for those we love. I thoroughly enjoying gifts I know people will love!

Am also grateful for my editing team. It’s final’s week for me and thank goodness. This research course this quarter has been the most challenging thus far….and with all challenges they come to an end at some point. My mom, friends, and class mates have been my biggest fans through out this journey and I sure needed to lean on them this week. THANK YOU! I appreciate you and all of your support on my journey!

Who do you have to be thankful for their support?

“To love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love forever is to live forever.” Henry Drummond

I just love beautiful quotes and when I read this one I knew I had to share it. Gratitude and abundance go hand in hand and it’s easy to feel appreciative when we recognize the abundance our lives offer us. For so many we have our health, family, friends, employment, transportation, support, peace, safety, humor, love, and rest. If you think about many others who don’t have all of those things we are incredibly lucky and for so many of us this is what we were born into and know nothing else. Today, I am grateful for the abundance God has bestowed to me.

What abundance in your life are you grateful for?

Don’t you just love when someone says something nice about how you’ve helped them? I do and appreciate the confirmation that what I do our day to others matters to them.  Today was one of those days.  A learner informed me that I was the reason he was coming back to school after taking a break and assessing his commitment.  This really brought me a great deal of joy and field my spirit even further.

I am also appreciative to receive feedback and know I’m growing in my skills.  I received some great compliments from my supervisor today which I use and apply. Growth opportunities are presented everyday.

In what ways did you grow today?

Today,  the planet lost an amazing man.  Nelson Mandela was a true model for peace,  grace,  and perseverance.  May he rest in peace and know that he was a true inspiration for countless others.  I’m grateful for his inspiration.  If you are not familiar with his life story I would highly recommend you do, It’s nothing short of amazing.

Am also so appreciative for the gift of time today.  I was given 45 minutes of my time back and feeling stressed about my final paper due next week I’m feeling so much better as that time has been designated for school work.

What were you given today that you are appreciative of?

Despite it being a day full of snow, ice, and rain it was such a beautiful winter day. Looking out our new views through the windows at work it felt like I was working in a snow globe. I’m so grateful for days like today where the snow really affects my commute to have public transportation to use. It’s so enjoyable to be able to get on, relax, and decompress while someone else fights the traffic.

While on my way back to my car, I noticed someone had brushed my entire car enough. I was thrilled to see someone had done this for me, especially after fighting a migraine for the last two days. Anything that eases my day automatically brings me gratitude. I hope the angel who cleaned off my car knows that their random act of kindness was appreciated.

What random act of kindness have you done lately?

I think today Mother Nature blessed us with a nice warm winter day. It reached almost 40 today and in MN that is heavenly. Because of the warm temps we were blessed with rain instead of snow and ice. Out cold spell is quickly coming in and so there goes our untimely warm weather. I’m grateful for days like today because an respite from the ice and snow makes me happy. While, I enjoy MN weather and grew up in this area, so this is all I know, the variety is the best part.

Am also appreciative of girl time and doing nails together. Raising a son limited girl time (including doing our hair and nails) so when I’m afforded the opportunity I jumped at it. Girly time is good.

What girly time have you taken for yourself lately?

And so the vacation  to an end…..what wonderful last six days it has been. Today, was the conclusion to a very packed yet productive weekend. While, I completed almost everything on my to do list I spent a considerable amount of time relaxing. This has made my heart very happy and am ready to return to workplace in the morning. I am grateful to have had lots of time today to lounge (if you haven’t noticed already this is one of my most enjoyable things to do.

Am also grateful that the gym offers a new high impact 30 minute workout. It’s a tough 30 minutes but it is quick and easy to pack into the day. Love when new classes are offered as variety for me is essential to m workout routine. Typically, if I workout doing the same thing I get bored and then end up quitting. Am determined to not let that happen.

Now that it’s December, so many have ended your expressions of your gratitude….I encourage you to continue. It doesn’t need to be formal, written, or even expressed to anyone else. It simply is powerful when expressed.