November Challenge - Thirty Days of Giving Thanks

It's simple.

Take a moment each day in November and thank someone in your life. 

Send a text, make a call, leave a post-it,  

write an old fashioned letter...

Make eye contact.

Smile.

And say, "thanks."

It doesn't matter how you thank them.  Simply think of someone in your life - each day - and tell them why you are thankful for them.  Give them your thanks.

Thank thirty people in thirty days.

Can't think of thirty people?  

Look more closely at the people you encounter in a day. 

The postman.

The barista.

The nice man at the bank.

The woman who always stamps your parking ticket.

Your neighbor down the street.

Is there a local store owner who makes you feel welcome every time you shop? 

Do you have a favorite sacker at the grocery store?

How about someone you work with that makes you laugh?

Is there a person from your past that you always wished you would have thanked?

Do you have a favorite hair stylist, or a massage therapist, or have you appreciated the listening ear of a good friend?

Did you ever thank your favorite teacher?

Has anyone helped change the course of your life?

What about someone you are really close to - like your kids or spouse - what thanks would you like to share with them?

If you choose to join us - let me know!  You can leave a comment here, or email me at livefreely@mac.com.

Post your stories on my Facebook Page, share your blog links there, too.  Send out tweets and use #thirtydaysofthanks to mark your posts.  

And as a special thanks from me to you, check back weekly the entire month of November for your chance to win some fabulous give-aways.

<center><a href="http://freespiritknits.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://www.afreespiritlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/FINI-30-days-of-thanks.jpg"/></a></center>

Grab a badge.

(Thank you, Meg, for your awesome design!
Thank you, Michelle, for the code!)

Spread the word.

And let's enjoy 

Thirty Days of Giving Thanks

together!

Where Are We Rushing To?

I notice I use words like, "Let me tell you this story real quick."  Or "I'm going to run to the store."  Or I catch myself telling my 3-year-old, "Hurry up, we are going to be late." Or "Come on, Kestan, we gotta get going."

Ick. Tired. Blah. Done.

I'm done with rushing.  I'm making a choice to STOP.  This past week I've practiced every day - walking slower, moving slower, being...slower.  I notice it's pretty hard.  My natural tendency in the morning is to bounce out of bed and start the day with excitement and thoughts of what are we going to do today? And usually if I have a morning plan - say story time, meeting friends for breakfast, doctor's appointment, whatever - there is this feeling of urgency.  WE ARE GOING TO BE LATE IF WE DON'T GET IN THE CAR RIGHT NOW!

Yuck.

Photos by Chris Duh.

And I think it's actually why I hardly ever make plans to be anywhere in the morning (at least before 10) because I can't stand rushing my kids.  So, I've been moving more at their pace.  And yes, it's hard not to say, "Hurry up.  Let's go," especially when I'm ready to move on.  BUT, the more I practice it, the easier it is becoming.

And I'm noticing I actually am more productive and have less irritation when I move slower.  

Doesn't that seem kind of funny?  But think about it, when you are running late to work or getting the kids off to school and you are running all over the house to get ready, isn't that the time when you spill the milk inside the refrigerator or place your keys somewhere that you'll never find again?

Sure, I can still sense my restlessness (Come on already, why does it take you so long to get in your car seat!?)  But, these kids know something.  When you let them lead the way and set the pace, everyone seems a bit more peaceful.

On this day in the woods we spontaneously went out on an adventure.  I left my phone in the car on purpose, mostly to prevent myself from taking more photos (since I'm still clearing clutter and have over 1000 pictures on my phone yet to clear), but I also loved not knowing what time it was.

We played.

We explored.

We let the kids lead the way.

And time stood still.

It just didn't matter what we were doing, where we were going or what time we were going to get there.

Sure, there are many moments in our daily lives when we have to be somewhere at a certain time.  Yet, I'm wondering if we can get there without all the rushing.  Can we move about our day with less urgency, less worry, and less stress about what the future will bring?  Can we find the peace that comes from slowing down?

I guess I'm willing to try.

Your Personal Reflection:  Do you rush through your day with a sense of urgency? Where are you going?  Notice your pace today.  Try walking a little slower wherever you go.  Try breathing a little deeper and fuller.  Notice how that feels when you slooooooooow down.

(Psst...I've posted the dates for my next Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery e-course.  Registration opens December 5th.  I hope you will slow down and make some space in your life to join us!)

ONE!

It's been a year since the birth of our sweet Ashton Quinn.  Seems crazy that this one-year-old was a newborn just four seasons ago.  Now he is our joyful, wild-hair-blond, smiling from ear-to-ear, gotta climb on everything, must have that ball, needs to scale those stairs, and occasionally has to butt things with his head.  

And of course, whenever there's music or he even hears the word "dance," well, there's just no holding back.

Today we are dancing with wild abandon and beaming hearts because we are just so dang happy this little dude took his first breath a year ago today, and that we were the lucky family he chose to laugh, learn and grow with.

Life is a gift - that is for sure.  Thank you, Ashton Quinn, for gracing us with yours.

And now...we dance!

Your Personal Reflection:  What makes you wanna dance?  Get up off your seat and join us!

Such Beauty

Your Personal Reflection:  What beauty do you see around YOU?

Courage to Create

Another word for creativity is courage. -George Prince

Artist Stephanie Levy, invited me to take part in her interview series for her new e-course, Creative Courage.  I was honored to be included!  And my friend and fellow blogger, Aimee with Artsyville, happened to be interviewed for this e-course, too. 

Stephanie, who lives in Germany, had no idea that Aimee and I were blogging pals.  We also only live 45 minutes apart. But not for long, as Aimee and her family are heading to the east coast very soon.  So we met yesterday morning to catch up before her big move.

We shared coffee and doodled our way through inspiring conversation, and the boys played right alongside us.  Which was really cool considering a recent exercise in both Inside Out and Creative Courage were to doodle, create and play like children. Their lack of hesitation is amazing and as soon as I pulled out the old school crayolas, Kestan and Ashton wreaked havoc on the blank page.  And Aimee and I couldn't help but to join in on the creative fun.

Starting my day with Aimee - a woman who exudes what it means to create with courage - set the tone for the rest of my day.  I left feeling excited and happy to be living a creative life, too.

Whether you are picking up a crayon for the first time in years, or signing up for that painting class that scares you, or making a decision to start a creative business, or taking a few small steps towards the direction of your dreams - it does take courage! YOU are creative and you can live a creative, courageous life, too. And you have that courage within yourself.  So find your strength, get the support you need and start moving.  Life is too short not to.

And if you are looking for more inspiration on ways to build your creative courage and live your creative dreams, then you must check out Goddess Leonie's World's Biggest Summit.  You can register for a FREE ticket to receive classes from 100 inspiring teachers on topics like health, wealth, spirituality, creativity and business. Teachers like SARK, Julia Cameron and Andrea Scher are all speaking.  And, I'm thrilled to be one of the teachers, too.  So go sign-up and be on the lookout for my upcoming video on the summit, Finding Stillness in this Go, Go, Go World. (Making this video took a wee bit of courage, too, I must say!)

Kids are wild.  Kids are uninhibited.  Kids are JOY-filled.  Kids are creative.  Kids are courageous.  Kids are free.  So free in fact, that towards the end of our creative play I found Kestan coloring on the floor of the coffee shop!  (Also visit HERE to see Aimee's post about our visit, where she shares funny photos from downtown Kansas City.)

Your Personal Reflection:   When's the last time you had the courage to create, play, be messy and have fun like kids do?