LOOKING BACK AT A TRANSFORMATIVE YEAR WITH GRATITUDE

I keep hearing about this gratitude thing. Fine, I’ll play along. As I shift my brain into “grateful mode” so many things start to bubble to the surface. First of all, I am GRATEFUL for YOU - my friends and clients. My friends are truly my lifeline. I wouldn’t/couldn’t go on without you. I really am blessed to have friends step in where I lack siblings and family. 

And whether you are a client from long ago, a one-time client or someone who has seen their life transform by us working together - THANK YOU! I have learned SO much from you. I have grown SO much from you. 

I am one of those who live by the saying, “If you can’t DO, then TEACH.” So much of my coaching actually helped me grow and learn. And so much of my holistic work has helped me find ways to heal myself. Without you, I’d still be 100 lbs heavier and in bed - sick, horribly depressed and without hope. THANK YOU ALL!!!

I have suffered with chronic fatigue for almost 30 years and this is the FIRST YEAR it hasn’t caused me to be sick. I had a small cold returning from New York & THAT’S IT! This is the most overwhelmingly wonderful thing ever. I NEVER thought I’d see my immune system kick in like this. I am SO GRATEFUL. I mean, I haven’t been without health issues this year (feet, liver, kidneys) but none of them came in the form of chronic fatigue. I still can’t believe it. I’ll take whatever health my body wants to give me! :-)

And I’m SO GRATEFUL for both Kurt losing his job this year and him finding a job this month. After finally being able to visit New York and Bethel with the family, it was such great timing for him to have the whole summer off with the boys and be able to volunteer so much time in the ministry work we do. It was such a good example for our boys and he was able to spend time doing LDC work with a great group of friends. And then, finding a job at the last moment - his first check of the new job is coming a week after the last check of his severance. For those with faith - “All good gifts come from God” - for those without faith - what an amazing coincidence! LOL

Thinking about gratefulness reminds me of one of those years I was SO sick and Kurt and I were going through a tremendous amount of stress. Things weren’t looking good for us. We both were at the breaking point. So I suggested every night we should write five things we were grateful for in a journal. Kurt agreed but didn’t want to share what he had written - that was fine. So we did that every night for a month. One day I peaked and read what he had written and I was so moved. For as angry as he was that year, he was still kind and loving in what he had written. And I truly believe that exercise helped us heal. Being grateful changes our brains, changes our body’s chemicals, changes our thoughts and thaws the walls we build.

I’m also GRATEFUL (and shocked) for my kiddos. For those of you who know my kids, they really are special. And I’m not just being biased. I was a horrible, moody, angsty teenager and my kids are the opposite. They are kind, fun, hard working, funny people; loving with good attitudes and so far, very little angst. I know it helps that we’re a tight-knit family unit but A TON OF CREDIT goes to the amazing adaptogens we use daily. I am SURE I would still be the yelling, crying, depressed mom I used to be and they’d be misunderstood, angsty teens if I hadn’t found Solle Naturals. But because I did, and we have made it part of our daily diet, I am amazed that I have three teenagers without the attitude or blankness I see in almost all other teens I deal with. #GRATEFUL

And lastly, I'm even GRATEFUL for the hard times we've experienced with certain family members (yeah, not my family) because it's made me grow, learn boundaries, get on the same team as my husband & learn how to forgive & move on - not 7 times, but 77. (More like 777, but who's keeping track?)

As you look back at this year, I hope you see it has brought you more ups than downs.

What are you GRATEFUL for? I’d love to hear from you.