Disappearing at Midnight

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  

It turns problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. It can turn an existence into a real life, and disconnected situations into important and beneficial lessons.  

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Gratitude makes things right.” — Melody Beattie, bestselling author.

Patty’s Perspective . . .

I know that’s a long quote, but I wanted to share it in its entirety. Melody Beattie’s perspective is important and I believe it’s true. My life experience (both the good and bad) backs it up and my life is full and happy because of the meaningful work I do and the special people in my world. 

I heard a clever twist on the traditional ‘what are you grateful for?’ exercise.  

This year, imagine I asked you to make a list of everything you’re grateful for and whatever you don’t put on the list by midnight, that thing will disappear. 

Suddenly, you’ll be grateful for your feet, your teeth, your hair, your heart, your smile, your spouse, your children, and on and on. For me, it puts a new spin on every big and small thing that brings me joy and makes me thankful. 

And of course there is much to be thankful for in your business. 

The business survived. Maybe it grew. Good clients trusted you. People referred you. The work mattered. Revenue came in. Wisdom deepened. Relationships held. There were moments this year when your experience truly made someone else’s life easier, steadier, more possible. 

Thanksgiving, at its best, can offer a pause long enough to notice what remains when the noise drops. The wisdom you carry in your bones. The fact that after all the years of building, proving, adapting, and recovering, there are still parts of you that are tender, alert, and capable of wonder. 

I’m wishing you a healthy and happy holiday!