Happy Thanksgiving!
What were you most thankful for this year? The feast? The family and friends? Traditions?
This was my first year spending Thanksgiving with my new in-laws. I married into a big family filled with lots of great cooks. This holiday was made for them. I'm not much of a cook, but I'm a fan of good food and my new family members, so it all works out well.
Holidays can be great. They can also be stressful. From the travel, the preparation, and even the fun times with family and friends, holiday events can be overwhelming. Typically, this is known as the "most wonderful time of the year," but it's also the time when many of us are feeling our worst. So as we come into this holiday season, how are you coping with the stress that's coming your way?
This year I'm trying to think of things a little differently than I have in the past. I've been focusing on being more thankful throughout the month, and I've noticed a boost attitude. It makes sense that we begin this busy holiday season with Thanksgiving and end it with a chance to start of a new year with new hopes. My personal goal this holiday season is to continue focusing on the things that make me happy and grateful and to avoid getting caught up in the minutia that drives me crazy.
How do you survive the holidays?
TAMARA DURICKA JOHNSON ~ Author ~ Speaker ~ Journalist ~ Coach
Showing posts with label Thursday Thanks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thursday Thanks. Show all posts
November 25, 2010
November 18, 2010
Thursday Thanks
Thank you to those of you who've already beaten me to the punch with sending in some Thursday Thanks!
How are your thanks coming along? This week I thought of stepping up my efforts a little bit by sending actual thank you notes to a couple people (my grandmother would be so proud). I actually am feeling as if my attitude is improving a little. How about you?
Okay so here are a few things I'm grateful for today:
*My friends. Near and far, they are such an incredible blessing.
*My new little office. It's a big writing space about a mile or so away from our place. (Maybe my walks to work will help me get rid of this freshman 15!)
*I'm grateful for wonderful editors, agents, and other professionals who know what they're doing and don't mind guiding me when I feel like I'm bumbling around.
*The excitement from the many Harry Potter fans in my life. Their giddyness = constantly referring to themselves as muggles.
*Having my mom nearby.
*All the people I've worked with in the past. My mom, my husband, and I went to see "Morning Glory" this week and it made me miss working with such fun, collaborative teams. It did not, however, make me miss waking up in the middle of the night to begin my workday.
*Inspiring writers who share their insights. Every day I read a blog from one of TV's greatest writers, Ken Levine. And today he answered my question about why he became a writer. A good read!
How are your thanks coming along? This week I thought of stepping up my efforts a little bit by sending actual thank you notes to a couple people (my grandmother would be so proud). I actually am feeling as if my attitude is improving a little. How about you?
Okay so here are a few things I'm grateful for today:
*My friends. Near and far, they are such an incredible blessing.
*My new little office. It's a big writing space about a mile or so away from our place. (Maybe my walks to work will help me get rid of this freshman 15!)
*I'm grateful for wonderful editors, agents, and other professionals who know what they're doing and don't mind guiding me when I feel like I'm bumbling around.
*The excitement from the many Harry Potter fans in my life. Their giddyness = constantly referring to themselves as muggles.
*Having my mom nearby.
*All the people I've worked with in the past. My mom, my husband, and I went to see "Morning Glory" this week and it made me miss working with such fun, collaborative teams. It did not, however, make me miss waking up in the middle of the night to begin my workday.
*Inspiring writers who share their insights. Every day I read a blog from one of TV's greatest writers, Ken Levine. And today he answered my question about why he became a writer. A good read!
November 11, 2010
Thursday Thanks
Okay, friends! Let's continue our adventure into our month of feeling a little more gratitude. Is there anything in your life making you a little more grateful today?
Here are my Thursday Thanks, just to get us started for the day:
*Thank goodness for webcams, Skype, and good friends who stay close no matter how many miles are in between us.
*Good chats with girl friends.
*The new movies coming out this season. So far I'm liking The Social Network, Made in Dagenham, and 127 Hours. And I can't wait to see Morning Glory, which might end up feeling less like a movie and more like a documentary on my former sleepless life in network morning news.
*I'm grateful for hot chocolate and leftover Halloween candy.
*Somehow, I've been able to stop looking at the Facebook pages that somehow end up making me feel bad about myself. So that's good.
*And I'm grateful for the people who delight in the changing color of Fall leaves! I miss them so dearly. Fall foliage is seriously on my list of top three things about being alive, so I'm so grateful for the people who describe the joy of those colors so vividly. Last week, one person mentioned that the leaves reminded them of the 5 Life Savors colors. How wonderful! The description itself makes me giddy!
What's making you feel grateful today?
Here are my Thursday Thanks, just to get us started for the day:
*Thank goodness for webcams, Skype, and good friends who stay close no matter how many miles are in between us.
*Good chats with girl friends.
*The new movies coming out this season. So far I'm liking The Social Network, Made in Dagenham, and 127 Hours. And I can't wait to see Morning Glory, which might end up feeling less like a movie and more like a documentary on my former sleepless life in network morning news.
*I'm grateful for hot chocolate and leftover Halloween candy.
*Somehow, I've been able to stop looking at the Facebook pages that somehow end up making me feel bad about myself. So that's good.
*And I'm grateful for the people who delight in the changing color of Fall leaves! I miss them so dearly. Fall foliage is seriously on my list of top three things about being alive, so I'm so grateful for the people who describe the joy of those colors so vividly. Last week, one person mentioned that the leaves reminded them of the 5 Life Savors colors. How wonderful! The description itself makes me giddy!
What's making you feel grateful today?
November 4, 2010
Thursday Thanks
It's time for an attitude adjustment.
Admittedly, I've been feeling a bit surly lately.
It's not a good look for me.
In my search for a secret potion to change my attitude, I keep coming back to one essential item that could strengthen my relationships, reduce my stress, and maybe even help me improve my focus. That secret potion? Gratitude.
How can gratitude help you?
*It reduces negativity
*strengthens your relationships
*helps you get what you want
*helps you keep what you have
*improves sleep
*increases energy and helps immune systems
...just to name a few.
You tell me. How can having a little more gratitude help you?
Yesterday one of my dearest friends that I've known since childhood sent me an email. Her husband had not only just lost a local election this week, he had also recently lost his job. She knew that, while their family was facing a challenging time, that they were also in a time of transition and would eventually be blessed with the silver lining. I was so impressed with her positive outlook, especially during such tough economic times.
For the month of November, I'm declaring Thursdays as the day to focus on gratitude. Maybe this will make Thanksgiving be even more exciting at the end of the month (although I can't imagine much making Thanksgiving better than yummy pumpkin/pecan pie).
A few years ago, a small group of friends started a little tradition. Once a week, we would email the group a Gratitude List, where we would share the details of our lives that made us smile. Some weeks were easier to come up with lists than others. But we still stuck to the idea, focusing on the blessings even in the midst of pitfalls. Will you be part of my Gratitude Group for the month?
Every Thursday, take a few minutes to write down a few things that make you most grateful. I realize that some days you will feel as if you're pulling at strings, but just try it. See if it adds to your overall attitude. Count your smiles, your warm fuzzies, or just those moments you don't want to pull out your hair. Feel free to leave your list here. Feel free to be anonymous. But at least give it a shot and see how it goes.
To get us started, here are a few things that I'm most grateful for today:
1. a place to call home
2. friends who keep in touch and keep me grounded
3. a husband who cooks
4. creative outlets
and 5... this fantastic photo that a friend posted on his Facebook page. Check out Google's second suggestion to his query:
Good luck this month!
Admittedly, I've been feeling a bit surly lately.
It's not a good look for me.
In my search for a secret potion to change my attitude, I keep coming back to one essential item that could strengthen my relationships, reduce my stress, and maybe even help me improve my focus. That secret potion? Gratitude.
How can gratitude help you?
*It reduces negativity
*strengthens your relationships
*helps you get what you want
*helps you keep what you have
*improves sleep
*increases energy and helps immune systems
...just to name a few.
You tell me. How can having a little more gratitude help you?
Yesterday one of my dearest friends that I've known since childhood sent me an email. Her husband had not only just lost a local election this week, he had also recently lost his job. She knew that, while their family was facing a challenging time, that they were also in a time of transition and would eventually be blessed with the silver lining. I was so impressed with her positive outlook, especially during such tough economic times.
For the month of November, I'm declaring Thursdays as the day to focus on gratitude. Maybe this will make Thanksgiving be even more exciting at the end of the month (although I can't imagine much making Thanksgiving better than yummy pumpkin/pecan pie).
A few years ago, a small group of friends started a little tradition. Once a week, we would email the group a Gratitude List, where we would share the details of our lives that made us smile. Some weeks were easier to come up with lists than others. But we still stuck to the idea, focusing on the blessings even in the midst of pitfalls. Will you be part of my Gratitude Group for the month?
Every Thursday, take a few minutes to write down a few things that make you most grateful. I realize that some days you will feel as if you're pulling at strings, but just try it. See if it adds to your overall attitude. Count your smiles, your warm fuzzies, or just those moments you don't want to pull out your hair. Feel free to leave your list here. Feel free to be anonymous. But at least give it a shot and see how it goes.
To get us started, here are a few things that I'm most grateful for today:
1. a place to call home
2. friends who keep in touch and keep me grounded
3. a husband who cooks
4. creative outlets
and 5... this fantastic photo that a friend posted on his Facebook page. Check out Google's second suggestion to his query:
Good luck this month!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
