The Power of Gratitude

Inspiring Individuals of 2010

As I was reviewing my year, I thought through all the inspiring people I was able to meet and work alongside. It's been an incredible year on so many levels.

 

Have you ever set a big goal and when you achieved it there was sort of a let down afterward, like "That was it? I expected more." Or maybe it left you needing another "big thing" like a drug that never satisfies. That's the way I feel almost every time I reach a major goal. But the Light the World: Birthing Your Destiny Retreat was the total opposite. It was a rare time when the message and the music came together with the right presenters and the perfect participants to create a synergistic miracle. I'm still feeling the positive effects of that April 2010 event, and the people involved are my treasured friends. It's a gift that keeps on giving!

So I'd like to acknowledge those who helped make it happen --

My partners

• Judy Rankin Hansen www.TrustingSpiritNow.com and
• Lisa Rae Preston www.StepIntoDestiny.com

 along with energy healer Janice Erickson www.TotalPrevention.com and

incredible musicians/presenters

• Jamie Bartschi www.JamieMusician.com and
• Sheldon Pickering

Talk about the perfect team to work with! And then there are the wonderful participants who joined us:

• Amy Oliver
• Debi Jones 
• Elaine Rasmussen
• Jean Grossnickle
• Joyce Pierce - author of Saving Nikki
• Laurel Pehrson www.TheAvocadoGirl.com 
• Laurie Pergler
• Lynne Clark Brunson
• Martina Muir
• Quincy Magalei
• Rebecca Thalman
• Renae Pelo - www.WomenLovingLifeWorldwide.com 
• Stephanie Servoss
• Susan Parr
• Tina Kurrels

Thank you all for being a part of my big dream!

I also had the privilege of sharing the stage with some top-notch women entrepreneurs at the Radiant Success Event in Raleigh, NC.

• Janis Pettit
• Ellen Britt
• Denise Wakeman
• Kathleen Gage
• Adela Rubio
• Karon Thackston
• Terri Zwierzynski

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting these ladies for the first time in person -- after working with many of them virtually for years! If I'm rich in anything, it's in good friends!

Gratitude & Accomplishing the Impossible

I appeared on the Women's Information Network Show (The WIN Show) to talk about the formula for accomplishing the impossible. I call it "HALO over Gratitude" or if you want to see it as a mathematical formula, it's

HALO
---------
Gratitude

This short video is that appearance:

Would love to hear what you think!  And please do stop by and listen to my Light the World show on the WIN.

You Don't Have to Make Everything Right in the World

I was talking with my friend Phil Davis today, and he made an important observation. In a nuthsell, he said that when we start taking credit for our own successes, the weight of the world descends upon our shoulders. If we think we’re the ones making things happen, then we feel we must keep on making it happen. But, the moment we step back in awesome gratitude for the miracles we are allowed to witness, the weight is lifted from our shoulders. We’re no longer responsible for making everything right in the world.

What a liberating feeling!

Maybe this is why Jesus said, "My yoke is easy and My burden is light."  When we realize that it's not about us (not about our ability to say the right thing, do the right thing, or force the right outcome), we step into true power. When we do our best and let God make up the rest, outcomes no longer depend upon our human capabilities. Instead, through heartfelt gratitude, we tap into His enabling power. We know that ultimately He is in control and all things are going to work together for our good . . . in spite of our inadequacies.

Humble gratitude (acknowledgement that we are not the masters of our universe) is the key that unlocks His grace on our behalf.

Have You Seen God's Hand Today?

This is a great video about looking for God's hand in our lives each and every day and documenting what we see. This is a practice I'd like to start myself in order to increase my awareness and gratitude for God's blessings . . . Watch Video.  Will you join me? :)

Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy

This is hands-down one of the best videos I've seen in a while. It really makes you realize how grateful we should be for all we have. What's more, it's hilarious!

Daily Gratitude Thought

My friends Nancy Spivey and Nancy Gerber have put together a daily gratitude thought that you can receive by email. I subscribed a few days ago and are really enjoying them. To get them, you just send an email to [email protected]

Here's a brief introduction from my friend Nancy Spivey: "Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest.   In these challenging times exploited daily by the media and negative conversations, it is difficult to stay consistently focused on our blessings.  Imagine what it would be like to remain in that place of Thanksgiving and gratitude all the time.   What a joy it would be!

Taking the time to note your blessings offers big benefits.  Studies show that people who kept written records of gratitude experienced the following:

More satisfaction in life
More frequent exercise
Fewer health complaints
Longer sleep
Practicing gratitude has also been linked with positive mental health. "

I hope you'll join me in the daily gratitude emails! To participate, just send an email to [email protected]

What Are You Grateful For?

6 things I'm grateful for today:

1. I'm grateful for the blessings God continually showers my way to help me live my purpose. Whether it's nuggets of truth and aha moments or support and encouragement from others, I'm truly blessed.

2. I'm grateful for my husband and good children who make it possible for me to do all I do. I certainly wouldn't be who I am without them.

3. I'm grateful to be able to promote and interact with a phenomenal group of experts at IdeaMarketers.com. I learn so much from them and rubbing shoulders with them is a joy.

4. I'm grateful for good parents who taught me correct principles, encouraged and fostered the development of my talents, and have always been my biggest fans.

5. I think I have the best friends on the planet. They're always there when I need them and ever-willing to share their unique gifts, talents and wisdom with me.

6. I am privileged to work with the young women at church and I love them so much. They are such sweet and fun girls. The other women who work alongside me are amazing. Each one has unique gifts and talents she brings to the organization. I'm constantly amazed by their unconditional love and energy and am grateful that they are strong where I am weak.

What are you grateful for?