I'm thankful, but lately I've been in a funk. Nothing wrong, I'm truly blessed with more than I deserve. Changes happening at work, and shifts happen , and sometimes I let it get to me. My answer has always been to reach out and encourage someone when I'm in the pit. You can't be in the pit and thankful at the same time. I am encouraged when I encourage others. So - I wrote several notes today for those who came to mind during my quiet time this morning. Knowing that gratitude is freedom - and for that I am so very thankful today.

Today I wrote to my neighbor. Our kids were having a lemonade stand on our country road on a Saturday...only four customers bought over 3 hours. My wife and I were 2 of them. One of them was a neighbor who is very sweet that we haven't had time with. She asked how much the kids were raising ($200 for a new boat motor). She appreciated they were out on a hot day, and offered them $200 to build her a chicken coop. They brought over the supplies, and while at our house, the husband shared about the cities plans to build near our property. They had private access (due to one of their jobs) and showed exactly the dividing lines where the city was building up to. This was invaluable info for us to plan the expansion of our little farm. Then they invited the kids over to fish on their pond. I know these are very random details, but they were huge deposits into our families bucket. Living in the country we've made some connections, but many drifted off since we don't cross paths often. It just reminds me that relationships that stay in existence are based in continual support. Asking for favors, offering help, inviting people over. They are initiated, activated, and fortified through continuous effort. A great reminder of something I can get better at. So...that's who I got my card out to today.

I've written 10 cards so far... gratitude helps my mindset. It has not been a great week with wins in the business - lots of cancellations - normal but disappointing. Much of what we do is not fun. Darren Hardy calls it "embracing the suck"... Doing the daily disciplines even when we don't feel like it. Starting my morning writing notes shifts my focus on the wins, the grace, the good, the joy. There is much to be thankful for, and today I choose to focus on the goodness.

waking up every morning with a thankful heart... Thanks for the reminder John and Gratitude Crew- In all things find the Joy and gratitude. :)