This is one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite founding fathers. He crushed it in the quotes department. This one made sense to share this, the week of my birthday.

My family doesn’t really go overboard for birthdays. We call, sing happy birthday, send cute texts and emojis. And when it’s my birthday, for the most part, I get no presents. Sure, I love when someone gives me something unexpected and special. But I don’t like anyone feeling the pressure to do so either. It’s the thought that counts, and for me, generally, the thought really is enough. 

During a long walk this week, I started thinking about the gifts I’d given myself since my last birthday. It became a long list! 

Here what I got for my birthday (kinda):

I got KNOWLEDGE

• I got the knowledge and entertainment of reading or listening to over 26 books. 
  
  

• I got a certificate of completion when I graduated from my foundation coach training program - 60  hours of coursework, 20 hours of practice. (Note to self - It’s hard to be a student again after over 30 years, but worth it!)!

I got PEOPLE

• I got some amazing memories when I said yes to a spontaneous trip with my dearest friends to a cold February weekend in Yosemite on the off chance we’d see the firefall. (We didn’t.)

• I got a high school graduate

• I got a deeper connection to family and friends who took a chance on my mental fitness coaching program.

• I got to surprise my darling nephew for his birthday

• I got to hold and play with that darling nephew’s darling baby. 

I Got CLARITY

• I got exercise and a clear head from walking around the same pond with my dog more times than I can count. 

• I got more peace by letting go of a lot of  ‘what if’ stress.  

• I got more peace by letting go of a lot of  ‘I, we, they, ‘should’ stress. 

• I got awareness by keeping up my daily and weekly review habit. 

• I got some linen overalls, a thing that feels amazing to wear. 
  

I got COMPASSION

• I did my best to show up for people who needed me. 

• I forgave myself for when I didn’t.

I got JOY

• I got to keep doing things I love - talking to my friends, yoga, waking up before everyone else. 

• I got kissed my dog a million and a half times.

• I got to live. Every day is a gift. The best birthday present. 

I hope this doesn’t come across as a brag list. I did have a good year of personal development. But so did you. My experience with many of my clients and friends is that they rarely give themselves credit for what they accomplish each and every day. They check things off, move on, and forget the things that went well. Then beat themselves up for unfinished tasks, missed opportunities, dreams deferred. 

What would you see if you reviewed your day, your week, your year?  At the very least, you probably kissed your dog (cat, baby…) a million and a half times and that is a definite gift.

What I’m Consuming This Month…

Podcast - Normal Gossip

Big shout out to my pal Natalie for recommending this podcast to me! Listen to tales of crazy situations happening to everyday people, guided by terrific hosts with fun special guests. Great for when you just want to be entertained. Excellent car content.

As I lay Dying

by William Faulkner

The OPPOSITE of Normal Gossip. So, I found myself with nothing to read and this was on the shelf. I’ve tried to read Faulkner before and it’s soooooo hard. I’ve decided it’s a good challenge to do so. I am determined to get through it, despite barely being able to comprehend the language. Getting some helpful advice from this article on Oprah.com: How to Read Faulkner

News About StepOne

Put Me in Coach!

Many of you may not have known that I have added coaching to my skill set over the last three years. Been coaching clients since 2020 and am now working to finalize my coaching certifications, which will include ACC level Certified Productivity Coach (CPC) and Positive Intelligence Certified PQ Coach. My mental fitness boot camp is part of my coaching offerings.

Mental Fitness Bootcamp

Would you like to have more fun? Be content every day? Have relationships with great communication and understanding? Be less stressed? Achieve peace of mind? Live a life of ease, and flow?  Have the clarity to design a life that aligns with what matters most to you?!?

Sounds like a tall order, but if you are mentally fit, you can have all this and more. 

My 10-week mental fitness bootcamp, a program founded in neuroscience that incorporates all the essential elements to lasting change: awareness, mindfulness, accountability and daily practice.  Learn More

Want to Learn More About Working with Me? Click below to schedule a free discovery call to discuss your specific coaching, organizing, and productivity needs.

This page may contain links to Amazon.com or other sites from which I may receive commission at no additional cost to you on purchases you make after clicking on such links.