the curriculum I have been putting together, the program, the E books, the counseling sessions curriculum are bearing fruit in terms of young people doing better. they are moving towards building a happy life. their passions are catching fire and their anxieties/fears are lessening.

we are all truly connected. the energy I put forth has an effect on everyone. we can truly be harmonious because we are built to be that. the chaos exists because of perceived differences and resistance to the fact we are all from the same source.

the leadership of the school district I work in.

on Mother’s Day…the transitioning of my mom a little over a year ago. it has made me grateful I showed gratitude while she walked the earth. I get to reflect on wisdom she gave and love she showed. It has created even more empathy towards anyone that has “lost” a loved one.

I have grown stronger through all of the experiences in my life. I am fortunate that I wake up each day with a purpose, passion, and love in my life.

*we make changing patterns a difficult task. *many parents are going through difficult personal lives and taking it out on their children. *gratefulness is much more powerful than complaining and spreading this “gospel” is extremely important. my personal insight of greatest importance is I need to really take care of myself so I can go full force each day n continue what I’m called to do.

children’s homework folders and toys, our dog, our home…togetherness, not things really but symbols of family and possibilities and love.

passion and kindness. listening and working with and for others. pushing my dreams forward along with nudging others dreams along with them. feeling w empathy measured with resolve/toughness to overcome.

it’s not possible to “truly live” and never take risks. going out of my comfort zone has yielded gains thru failure or success every time. even though I have a spiritual component to my life…I firmly believe that my atheist friends have similar experiences to mine w different labels.

the dictionary definition of vulnerable is extremely negative. I’ve always defined vulnerable as being open/willing to feel…not weak, powerless, defenseless. in my work/vocation there have been situations when tears come to my eyes as they tell me their story/what they have been or are going through. it creates a connection and a level of trust. I can take that connection n begin to build strategies towards healing and happiness.

opportunities reside in every situation. it goes to how we look at life in general. e.g. the “conflict cycle” diagram begins w how the person that has a stressful incident feels about themself. so yes, when I am mindful in every crisis, I gain wisdom, power, information about myself, and new abilities.

I bring energy n passion each day. I am grateful for the health n frame of mind to do so. my core values of moving myself towards happiness/assisting others as they move towards happiness w love and working to mess up “the system” wake me up each day fired up. fired up to serve, to learn, to listen, to live.

I have been less wholehearted about money. I have viewed money as “evil” since my youth. recently I have been working to view money as a means to help make changes for good for many.

our experiences are definitely different…although connected somehow. in my initial session w students I try to acknowledge what the daily question is asking. I tell them if I knew u already n ur story I’d be like WOW….u been through all that!!?? and u have made it to school!!?? ur amazing!! additionally, I’m at a point where even really hard days are giant blessings w lessons learned and new “muscles” formed.

different “strangers” yesterday. be polite and helpful in the grocery store. exchange good mornings and smiles. ask about the meaning of + > ÷ on my t shirt n engage in a brief discussion.

gratefulness is not boastful nor loud. it’s a recognition that moments, feelings, things we attain, etc are to be celebrated…but celebrated in a spirit of thankfulness along w the joy.

ultimately we do measure by moments because that’s what we reflect upon, draw joy from, draw wisdom from, etc… but the clock gets us to many of those moments. now, when a schedule prevents me from appreciating/listening to/finding the moments going on around me…then that is a problem I need to fix.

my gratefulness for each new day to do better…to create more/better ways to help others/myself…to express passion for life and how we can maximize it personally & collectively.

for all the small and great surprises that each day brings! for the amazing continuity of sunrises and sunsets…even as we seem to work so hard as a species to upset it. for people that work thru difficult times/disappointments/losses and still persevere and create a better life for others and themselves.