SW Maxims #5: Gratitude
November 5, 2020
Although many of us practice an attitude of gratitude throughout the year, November turns up the heat on the concept of thanks. Celebrating Thanksgiving in America with family and friends annually reminds us of all we have to be thankful for: freedom, family, friends, health, shelter, and the ability to dream our dreams and pursue our goals.
For that reason, SW Maxim #5 is Gratitude. Include the readiness to show appreciation in your professional and personal life and watch how gratitude changes everything for you.
Maybe 2020 doesn’t look like there’s much to be appreciative of when so many have been affected by Covid-19. However finding the good, the silver lining, the positive among the negative can lift our spirits, change our perspective.
I keep a gratitude journal by my bedside. Although I don’t always remember to write daily all that I am profoundly grateful for, I try to give myself reminders whenever possible.
The other day a client asked me for a headshot, so I went through the photos on my laptop. Looking at so many images of family, friends, clients, nature, travel, and treasures, I was overcome with a sense of appreciation and thankfulness.
Thank you List
- My children. I guess being a mother defines me in a way that words cannot fully capture. Those three humans mean more to me than anything.
- My health. As a cancer survivor, I know how precious life can be. Health is wealth. I am forever grateful for my health.
- My mom, brothers, and extended family. My father, of blessed memory, who was my champion in all things. Gone too soon.
- My friends. My friends are the family I have chosen and I have been blessed with so many wonderful people throughout my life. I firmly believe that to have a friend, you have to be a friend. And I strive to be the very best I can be.
- My home. About six years ago I moved into the first house that I totally own and live in by myself. While there are definitely ups and downs to that story, because my home is where I work and play, live and love, I am so very thankful to have this place I call home – anchor, safe harbor, thought laboratory, memory repository.
- My books. Marie Kondo and William Morris say you should only live with what you love and I love my books. Books have always been important in my life.
- My garden. Especially this year, my garden has saved my sanity, gotten me outside with my hands in the soil. It’s a great feeling. I’m far from the best gardener that I know, but I give myself points for trying!
- My dogs – past. Perhaps – future? Dogs are very good judges of character. They love unconditionally. No dog will ever mean as much to me as Pepper, our Portuguese Water Dog. Eight years later, I still miss him. I loved having Memphis with me for 8 months and getting to know him when he was a puppy. I miss him, but he’s where he belongs with my son in Amsterdam. He’s an Amsterdog now.
- My clients. To all past, present and future clients, thank you. Thank you for your faith in me and Savvy Words.
I have been blessed this year with clients who have become friends, mentors, and inspirational guides.
❥Dane Austin, Dane Austin Design
❥Diane Burcz, Diane Burcz Interior Design
❥Jodi Swartz, KitchenVisions
❥Kevin Cradock, Kevin Cradock Builders
❥Bob Paladino & Emily Coutu, Mellowes & Paladino Architects
❥Brad Smith, Audio Video Design
❥Carol Marsh & Chris Hosford, Helios Design Group
❥Dava Muramatsu, Nymph Jewels & Dava Muramatsu.com
Along with my wonderful clients, I am grateful for the many colleagues and collaborators with whom I work: professional photographers Jared Kuzia and Greg Premru; stylists Karin Lidbeck, Darcy Hammer and Bethany Compagna; editors Jenna Talbott of NEH, Andrea Timpano and Michele Snow of Boston Home; writers Marni Katz, Regina Cole and Barbara Ballinger; website designers and gurus Lily Weitzman of Lawwwnch and Yian Quach of The Art of You; Nina Brogna of Boston Home, and Jill Korff, Kim Sansoucy, Kathy Bush-Dutton of New England Home; Melanie Perillo and Lisa Almquist of BDG; Graphic designers Rob Silsby, Creativex2 Studio, and Bob Hamilton, Hairpin.
I am exceedingly grateful to Deb Bishop (Dwell On It) and her team who got my upstairs, full bath to the finish line. Thanks to all of my clients for their help and input when I asked!
My other sources of inspiration (and sanity): Amy Cafazzo of Studio A Marketing, Melissa Bunis, Boston Stone Restoration, Dawn Duplessis, Marketing at EM NARI, Michelle Glassburn, Executive Director of EM NARI, Scott Palmer, Executive Director of BRAGB, Justin Zeller, President of EM NARI, Kyle Tripp, AVD & IFDA; Allison Iantosca, President of F.H. Perry, Ann Handley, author and marketing genius, Lisa Nickerson who got me through the beginning of the pandemic with her lunchtime online series, and Julie Brown, Networking Maven. - Me. I don’t always put myself last on the list. Gotta be honest. But I am today because I wouldn’t be anywhere or anything without everything before me on this list. On the other hand, all that I am makes my thank you list #1-9 possible.
The same client who recently asked for my headshot also asked me to take a free personality test on VIA. So what did I learn? Well, it wasn’t really a surprise to me that my number one character trait is love. Love drives me – to learn, to help others, to grow, to be the best me I can be. And for all that, and so much more, I am utterly grateful.