Day 217: Writing + Responses

Today I learned...

...that writing about Rick's pain is really helpful to me.

Today I am thankful for...

...the beautiful and loving responses I receive in regards to Rick and his chronic pain. 

Day 157: Problem-Solving + Official Facebook

Today I learned...
...that even when solutions aren't clear, talking to a friend about the problem helps immensely (and gets the wheels turning!).

Today I am thankful for...
...dinner with an MSW friend which led me to the decision to create an official "public figure" Facebook page to separate my personal life from my professional life. The dinner was great and so was watching the "likes" for my new page go up, up, up right before my eyes in a matter of minutes. How powerful! How grateful I am!

Day 70: Epiphanies + YOU

Today I learned...
...that there is more to my driving anxiety than meets the eye. New strategies have begun. I shall conquer you, driving phobia!

Today I am thankful for...
...YOU. Yes, all of you. I really mean it. It's awesome to wake up in the morning to a ton of messages or comments or emails or tweets or whatever. It's fantastic to know that you're loving positivity and are learning from gratitude. It's great to have to tell myself to go to bed at night, because I keep wanting to respond to your beautiful words. I LOVE being connected to the world. I love being connected to all of YOU. I love being part of something bigger. I love knowing that we're all part of the human race, leaving our unique impact. :-)

Day 36: Surprise Sincerity + a Nomination

Today I learned...
...that a lot of people really look forward to the letters I leave for strangers that I post about on Mondays. Multiple people have stopped me throughout my day on a Monday to ask me excitedly where I left my letter. Multiple people have told me that my Letters on Monday is one good thing about Mondays now! Multiple people have thanked me for doing it, because it inspires them or makes them feel good. And multiple people have told me that they pretend the letters I leave for strangers (and then post) are for them.

All of this makes me so happy. And yet, I am surprised every time I learn about another person who is waiting for the announcement of the next letter. It's such a learning experience. I am surprised by the sincerity and straightforwardness with which people approach me about this. I am taken aback when they express excitement or eagerness and ARE NOT AFRAID TO SAY SO OUT LOUD. I love that. And yes, I will always tell you where I left my Monday letter - though you may have to wait until it appears on Facebook or my personal blog. And yes, it IS one good thing about Mondays now! That's part of the point. I like to put a positive spin on things that aren't always seen so positively. And yes, I love to inspire and make you feel good. You can do what I'm doing. I'm not special. :-) And yes, the letters are as much for YOU as they are for the people who find them. That's the reason why I post photos of the actual letters I leave instead of just saying that I left another letter. If you read it and it speaks to you, take it to heart. It's for you.

Today I am thankful for...
...the nomination for the Love Warrior 2013 award. The EDRS (Eating Disorder Recovery Support, Inc.) nominated 5 women and I am honored to be among them, because quite frankly, they all rock! The winner will be announced at their annual conference on Feb 7th in California. I was invited to the event, but unfortunately due to cost of travel and crazy schedule, had to decline. Regardless of outcome, I am so appreciative for the recognition and the thanks. I feel so blessed these last few weeks!

Day 21: Surprises + Followers

Today I learned...
...that unexpected phone calls don't have to be bad. While I was writing a paper for grad school today, my cell phone rang - a blocked number - and I checked my annoyance and welcomed the interruption by changing my thinking. Instead of a) not answering it as I usually do when I don't know the caller or b) anticipating bad news or something that would bother me, I held my phone for a few seconds as it continued to ring and said, "Thank you for the magnificent outcome of this phone call." This is something I learned from The Magic. (By applying gratitude to something before it happens, an unexpected occurrence can be magical.) Then I answered the phone. What transpired was, in a nutshell, an opportunity to be interviewed by Nancy Werteen for Channel 69 News about eating disorder recovery.

Today I am thankful for...
...the opportunity I listed above...but really so much more: for all the positive feedback from my video viewers and blog readers, for all the Thank You emails and messages from men and women, parents, and professionals, for all the support from people who love me, and for all my followers across the globe - it's AMAZING! I love everyone and it's my honor to help when and where I can.