Gratitude Challenge – Day Five

1) I am so grateful for my furry friends

Over the course of my life I have had sea monkeys, ants, fish, crawdads (thanks Randy), tortoise, turtles, rats, guinea pigs, mice, hamsters, gerbils, dogs, parakeets, doves, chickens …. Hmmm what am I missing?

CATS!! (oooohhhh, and in the future, a ferret, rabbit and chinchilla, but back to CATSSS!!!!

“Crazy cat lady” Go ahead, call me what you will, but there is a special bond between me and my feline roommates. Jade, Bailey, Tabitha and Lucian – trusted companions. So grateful to them. Add Knight, Yosarrian, Este, Ailbe, Lyra and Uisce and my heart is full.

2) I am so grateful for my “cat friends”

Just as there is a special bond between me and my feline roommates there is a special bond between my crazy cat friends and our Ounce family.

I am very grateful for my wonderful mentor, Canie, who was introduced to me my no other than the simply amazing Donnette (my first cat friend). I am appreciative for Beth and Lori for their friendship. Cory for always offering a beer (cheers!). Jess for loving her cats more than anyone I know. Jon for his knowledge and huge heart. And, Robyn, who started as a “cat friend” but is one of my truly best friends. These co-crazy cat people have brought so much joy in my life. We have laughed, cried and shared a lot of cat pictures. Lol. Thank you friends.

I am equally as grateful for the parents of every kitten born from Ounce. We have been so blessed to find the most wonderful parents who love these kittens endlessly. I am so grateful for the sharing through the pictures, the stories and watching through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social mediums. You, Ounce Parents, I am so grateful for.

Gratitude Challenge – Day Four

1) I am so grateful for my work

I started with I am so grateful to be employed. But “employed” doesn’t really cut it…
I am grateful to work for a company that each and every day I can make a difference at. Not just for me, but for shareholders and for the customer.
I believe I am doing work that is building a life of success and significance. There is not another job I would like to be doing or another company that I would want to do it for. Now, I will say this current role will not sustain me. I know that about myself. But I am so lucky to work for a company that when I am ready, there will be another job – just for me.
Steve Jobs said, “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”
I believe in great work. I know to do great work you have to love what you do. I love what I do.
The investment in me has been so tremendous , which leads me to number two on the gratitude list for today.

2) I am grateful to be surrounded by superstars at work
Some of the greatest friends I have I have met through work.
Brilliant thinkers, strategic allies, credible challengers….my twenty years have been filled by amazing people who have inspired, motivated and stretched me to new thinking and ideals not to mention new skillsets and opportunities.
Also the superstars that I have been privilieged to manage. Again, superstars who are so passionate day to day about doing the right thing for our customers. So motivational... br> I intentionally am not going to name names here (because you all know who you are), except these two whose role in my career made such an impact in my work life. I will be forever grateful. Marc M – For seeing the potential in a young professional. For saying, “I will train you” and meaning it. For allowing me to fail, to fall, to get up, to succeed. For believing in me and my potential, before I believed in myself.
Victor N – When Walter told me I was going to be Victor’s Chief of Staff, I was completely shocked. My first reaction, was “not going to do it”. After my first conversation with Victor, I was hooked. I mention above that I wouldn’t work anywhere else, well I lie…. If Victor called me up tomorrow and asked me to work for him I would without a second thought. Victor is brilliant. During my year learning under his leadership, there wasn’t a problem he couldn’t solve. There wasn’t anything he would ask his team that he wouldn’t do. He was honest, authentic and full of integrity. He is a true leader. Not only did his behavior trickle down into the work environment, but I noticed our culture rising through hard work, showing gratitude and pursuit of the noble goal. I haven’t fully recovered from his departure and I am still hoping (every wishbone!) that he will return.

Gratitude Challenge – Day Three, Part Deux

2) I am grateful to be an American

Lee Greenwood sings a song about his pride in America, he says, “if tomorrow all the things were gone, I’d work for all my life and had to start again with just my children and my wife. I’d thank my lucky stars, to be living here today. ‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away. And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me and I would gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today ‘cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land. God bless the USA.”

I love driving down my street and seeing the flags wave in the breeze. It reminds me each and every day how truly grateful I am to be an American.
As I watch Scotland’s YES Campaign and Hong Kong’s desire for democracy, I am reminded how great it is to live in a country that is so passionate about their people and our freedom.

I truly believe we are better united than separate. And how glorious it is when Americans come together whether it be to fight or mourn or celebrate. We as a people are unstoppable when united with a noble goal.

I am appreciative of individuals who speak up for what they believe. Doesn’t matter what party, just matters that they are passionate enough about America to want to be the change.

When I have felt the leaders of our country have swayed too far left or right, I always find solace in the Declaration of Independence that binds us starting with “We the People”. I find joy in the Bill of Rights and the amendments that were added to prevent misuse of power.

I am thankful that I am living the American Dream where I can work hard and be rewarded.

I am in awe that America continues to be a melting pot where every person and each family can come and live and bring their unique viewpoints and traditions.

I could go on and on …. But I will end with my appreciation of those that serve or served in our armed forces. Their sacrifice for country is so selfless that it reinforces my love for this great country of ours.