Tag Archives | family

Gratitude for the Gift of Time

By on June 25, 2010 in Personal Growth

You’ve heard that old saying, “The best things in life are free.” I always thought it was kind of lame and not really an appropriate sentiment in this era of consumerism and material gift giving. Who doesn’t like shiny jewelry, new clothes, great perfume, a wonderful book or fresh flowers? I sure do!

Despite this sort of underlying cultural pressure, I underwent a drastic change in perspective several years ago. I had become so tired of the last minute, just run to the store and whip out your credit card for a gift type process. In a flash of insight, I requested “experiences” from all of my children for Mother’s Day one year. I thought this was the easiest holiday to start with since it was all about me! They seemed sort of confused at first and didn’t really know what to do with that request – even my husband groaned. But soon they caught on and the practice has now spilled over to other holidays as well.

picnicI have been given amusement park outings, picnics, horseback riding, photography hikes, massages, pedicures and historic garden tours. We have started giving this type of gift to others as well: lessons, concerts, mini-trips, shows, manicures, facials, wine tours and special meals. Just last week my youngest son took me on a picnic to our favorite spot for Mother’s Day.  It was an entire afternoon of food, photos, nature and fun. The conversation and connecting that happens on these outings is simply unrivaled. I couldn’t help but create my own “American Express type” commercial:

  • Picnic lunch at Dave’s Diner – $20
  • Entrance fee for Pratt’s Falls – $1
  • The smile on my son’s face – Priceless!

“The best things in life really are free.”

Pratts Falls

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One Month to Live

By on June 17, 2010 in Personal Growth

What would you do differently if you only had one month to live? Would you change jobs or leave relationship? Would you apologize or be more caring to others? Would you take a risk you’ve always wanted to take? Everyone’s answer will be different. The book One Month to Live: Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life by Kerry & Chris Shook can help you answer those questions and guide you along that journey of changing the way you live your life.

From the book:

“Be brutally honest with yourself. Your time on earth is limited. Shouldn’t you start making the most of it? If you knew you had one month to live, you would look at everything from a different perspective. Many of the things you do now that seem so important would immediately become meaningless. You would have total clarity about what matters most, and you wouldn’t hesitate to be spontaneous and risk your heart. You wouldn’t wait until tomorrow to do what you need to do today. The way you lived that month would be the way you wished you had lived your whole life.

If you knew you had one month to live, your life would be radically transformed. But why do we wait until we’re diagnosed with cancer or we lose a loved one to accept this knowledge and allow it to free us? Don’t we want all that life has to offer? Don’t we want to fulfill the purpose for which we were created? Wouldn’t life be a lot more satisfying if we lived this way?

I’m challenging you to start living your life as though you have one month to live, and I’ve designed this book to help you. There are four universal principles in the one-month-to-live lifestyle: to live passionately, to love completely, to learn humbly, and to leave boldly. I’ve divided this book into four sections or “weeks” accordingly, and I encourage you to live these next thirty days as if they were your last.”

I find this book to be fascinating, thought-provoking and inspiring. Happy reading! What will you do with your one month?

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A day to say goodbye

Happy Memorial Day

By on May 31, 2010 in Gratitude

Today, I am taking a break from regular productivity posts to reflect on something I feel is important – and that is actually a productive way to spend my day!

This is not just a holiday for us to picnic and party; remember the real reason behind Memorial Day. It has never been more personal to me than this year as we count down to our next deployment this summer. It is with a heavy heart, but one bursting with pride that I loan my husband – my personal veteran and soldier – to the service of his country. I have never been more grateful to all of those who currently serve and to especially those who we celebrate today who have made the ultimate sacrifice to secure our freedom, our safety and our future.

A day to say goodbye

A day to say goodbye

No matter your party, your politics, your religion or your beliefs take a minute today to reflect on the men and women who have fought for freedom and democracy for more than 200 years. Be involved, have an opinion, vote, exercise your freedom to voice support or dissent. You have that right and I would argue the duty to speak up as I am doing today. But whatever your views PLEASE show respect and gratitude for the individual soldier and his or her family. To them it is a matter of integrity, of doing what they believe is right and of being willing to leave their families behind to do so. It’s missed birthdays, holidays, milestones, soccer games, concerts, awards, school plays and everyday talks, hugs and bedtime kisses – months of family life lost that can never be retrieved.

My most heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the 3 million active duty and ready reserve members for everything they do every day to protect me and YOU. And a fond farewell to those we remember today and their families – Thank you for your sacrifice.

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