Awesome Partners Day

Today was officially Administrative Professionals (AP) Day.  In actuality, every day should be a day that we tell our hard-working administrative professionals how much we appreciate them.  I like to consider that today was Awesome Partners (AP) Day.  I have the privilege of working closely with two amazing administrative professionals who partner with me through the exciting and mundane with high energy, positive attitudes and a willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve success.  That's a real cause for celebration!

It Could Happen to Anyone

Edgar has joined the Way Station ministry at our church, Palmer Memorial Episcopal, serving a hot breakfast to hundreds of hungry Houstonians each Friday.  He always comes home so moved by the experience.  Friday was more emotional than ever, as he greeted a well-educated colleague in the line.  The impact of job loss became far more than a statistic when this former classmate shared his story. 

It makes me realize just how very fortunate I am to have a great job that I love. 

I Love Thanksgiving Leftovers

I love everything about Thanksgiving including the leftovers. I treasure the time with family, friends of all ages popping in for a visit, spades competitions and the Thanksgiving evening feast.  This year everyone except Papa made a signature dish.  It was fun having everyone in the kitchen infusing the food with love, talent and tradition.  And the menu evolves each year to incorporate yummy new recipes to complement our must have favorites.

As much as I enjoy every bite of the actual feast, I also eagerly anticipate the day after Thanksgiving leftovers.  The food is terrific when formally served on Thanksgiving Day and equally delicious when casually enjoyed the next day.  It's fun to see the contrast.  Everyone enjoys some of everything within their dietary restrictions on Thanksgiving.  The next day some family members choose equally broadly and others very narrowly. Some microwave a replica of the previous evening's meal; others choose only dessert or heaping sandwiches on reheated rolls.  And I can almost taste the potato soup that we'll create from last night's mashed potatoes.

I'm thankful for all of my blessings including Thanksgiving leftovers.

Lovely Surprise

I was so eagerly anticipating Julia's arrival yesterday, but anxious about her arriving at 8:00 p.m. on the busiest air travel day of the year.  Two of her classes were canceled and unbeknownst to us she called Continental and booked the last seat on an earlier flight.  To complete the surprise she called a friend to pick her up at the airport.  When Mama and I came home from a most successful shopping trip, Julia had just arrived.  There's so much to be thankful for including the lovely surprise of several more holiday hours with Julia.

Thanksgiving Has Begun

I love Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for including family, friends, faith, health, career and volunteering.  Though I express gratitude for my blessings every day, it is wonderful to have a holiday focused on thankfulness.

We've been eagerly anticipating a long weekend filled with love and laughter. Mama and Daddy have arrived and Julia comes in this evening.  The fun has already begun.

Giving Thanks

Sterling Bank just hosted our 5th Annual Thanksgiving reception to honor non-profit executives and our 50-hour volunteers.  It's one of my favorite events of the year.  Our hardworking non-profit friends spend their days thanking donors.  This is our chance to turn the tables and recognize the significant impact they make in our community.  In conjunction with the celebration, we also announced Thanksgiving Grant recipients.  This year we doubled our grant funding to complete 28 classroom projects in high poverty schools in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. 

I'm thankful that so many wonderful individuals share their talents to make an enormous difference in our community.

Why Aren't You Smiling?

I've had the opportunity to stand in many airport security lines and have become puzzled by the fact that very few people are smiling.  Most travelers are visiting loved ones, taking care of business or returning home after a trip.  Anticipation of a great visit, successful business meeting and homecoming are all reasons to smile.  Gratitude for love in my life and an exciting job brings a smile to my face.

Stress Buster

It is easy to focus on what is missing from our lives. Stress is often the result of too much to do with too little time or too few resources.   When I recognize how thankful I am for abundant opportunities my attitude of gratitude is an instant stress buster.

Blessed

Our children are incredible blessings.  I feel so very fortunate to have two amazing children.  My frequent prayer is "thank you that my blessings and challenges are mine".

Wisdom from the (S)ages

In addition to my older relatives, I love all that I've learned from my other special elders:

Mr. Mac:

• People matter more than things. (He always cheerfully greeted everyone.)
• Small can be extraordinary.  (He had penny candy in his corner grocery.)
• When you realistically trust others you will be rewarded. (He had credit accounts for groceries.)
• Sales tax doesn't discriminate.  (I saved my pennies to buy a 29 cent pair of sunglasses when I was 6 years old.  When I made my purchase, I was made aware that sales tax was added to every purchase.)
• Big (empty) boxes (toilet paper, etc.) yield countless hours of pleasure.  We made incredible creations using Mr. Mac's big boxes.
• Family is broader than birth.  We didn't realize for many years that Amy and Beth weren't our cousins.

Mrs. Hayden:

• There's always time to visit.
• Friendship can transcend age and distance.

Miss Gray:

• We also benefit when we help others achieve their goals.
• Learning what we are not passionate about propels us to discover what matters.
• Communicating with older friends keeps us connected.
• I am not a pianist. Practice and passion are required to perfect musical ability. However, reading and appreciating classical music are life skills that I treasure.
• Creating our own annual stage allows us to celebrate many successes.

Mrs. Craig:

• Age is just a number.
• Staying active keeps us young.
• There are certain things that I cannot physically do.
• I can do things that those older than I am cannot.
• Family includes genetics and preferences.

Mr. Condry:

• The workplace recognizes role v. age.  Do what you are hired to do.
• Mentors help.
• Results rule.
• Presentations can make or break.
• Everyone needs someone to respect them.
• When we are willing to learn, we also teach.

Left-Overs

I love Thanksgiving!  It's all about the food, family and fellowship.  There's a wide-spread attitude of gratitude.  And there's a fridge full of wonderful left-overs to enjoy during the weekend as we pause and play together. These left-overs will soon vanish.  The left-overs worth preserving throughout the year are our Thanksgiving attitude and our focus on those who are important. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are You Thankful For?

I am thankful for:
Attitude, Ambition, Able-bodiedness
Brothers, Beauty, Books
Cats, Creativity
Daddy
Edgar, Education, Empathy, Experience
Faith, Family, Friends, Freedom, Flexibility, Feeling
Gar, Gratitude
Health, Heart, Humor, Home, Hearing
Independence, Ideas
Julia, Joy
Kindness, Kaleidoscopes, Kiva
Love, Learning
Mama, Memories
Nest, Network
Opportunity, Options, Optimism
Prayer, Passion
Quiet
Resources
Sight, Smell
Time, Talent, Treasure, Touch
U.S.A.
Victories
Writing
eXellence, eXperience
Yesterday
Zeal, Zip

And so much more! An attitude of gratitude serves us well!

Little Things are Big

We can make a positive impact when we exercise any of the following actions.

Smile
Hug
Kiss
Kind Word
Wave
Congratulatory Note
Verbal Acknowledgement
Birthday Greeting
Acknowledgement of a Job Well Done
Holding a Door
Stopping an Elevator
Change an Airplane Seat to Accommodate a Large Passenger
Prayer
Email
Note
Phone Call
Voice Mail
Personal Recommendation
Favor
Appreciative Gesture
Accommodation for Tardiness
Gift for No Occassion
Kleenex
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Compassionate Interaction
Dessert
Meal
Drink
Tip
Advice
Introduction
Flattering Story
Shared Photograph
Recommendation of Service Provider
Letting You Change Lanes
Compliment
Empathetic Ear
Job
Certificate
Handshake
Greeting
Joke
Story
Dutch treat lunch turns into a hosted event
Unexpected recommendation on LinkedIn
Positive feedback on a blog entry
Making the bed when it’s not your turn
Bringing the paper and breakfast upstairs

I want to always remember that it doesn't take much to make someone's day. Thanks to each of you who have made my day(s)!

Celebrate!

I think there are millions of reasons to celebrate including - Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, morning, afternoon, evening, an A, a passing grade, knowledge gained, graduations, project completed, new insight, progress made, a positive diagnosis, new job, internship, promotion, preserving a job amidst layoffs, making someone's day, having someone make your day, making it through the day, a friend's arrival, relationships, weddings, births, new hires, retirements, a loving family, awards, recognition, positive press, giving a helping hand, receiving a helping hand, being valued, being loved, being cherished.