100 Days of Gratitude – Day 95

I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak at a fabulous event with Pete Halliwell (Country Energy) tonight.  It was an energy forum, where Pete shared info about how to save energy, and then we facilitated the participants to come up with ideas about how they can implement changes. Even just in being aware of the event coming up, over the last couple of weeks I’ve been noticing my energy habits – turning lights off when I’m not using them, boiling the jug once, before making a cup of tea… (as opposed to boiling it, getting wrapped up in writing again, remembering an hour later, re-boiling it…) and similar little things.

I’m also grateful for my parents arrival home from Perth, where they spent a few days at Dad’s Ag College reunion.

As I log onto facebook each day, I’m grateful all over again for the connections I’ve made all over the world.  Some are genuine connections and I know I’ll meet them one day. One new friend sent me a beautiful powerpoint presentation yesterday about gratitude, which I hope to attach to this blog in the next few days.

Have a great week,
Love Kerrie

100 Days of Gratitude – Day 94

Today I’m happy to say that I’m grateful to have sent my completed book to the publisher.  I took the printed book down to Stephen’s Patisserie to read it and enjoy a great coffee and a different environment. Of course I found a few typo’s that have slipped past many proofreaders eyes, so I came back to the office, fixed them, and gave Lyndon the honour of sending the file.  Then we went to celebrate with a little shopping – deciding on seafood to create a fabulous, and quick stir-fry for dinner.  (And chocolate of course) Ethan was so excited and suggested we skip through the shopping centre.  I love that kids don’t care who sees them skipping, so I held his hand and joined him. I’m also grateful that Ethan and Lyndon have both been supporting me in writing and completing the book.

I’m grateful for the people who have shared their stories with me for the book – they are so inspiring and their words move me even as I proofread and skim over when looking at the chapters from a layout perspective.  I can’t wait to share it with people, and I’m looking forward to reading it over the Christmas break when I can just read to enjoy. There are a few other books on my Christmas holidays list too!

There are so many things I can list that I’m grateful for, but even just in relation to this book project there are many.  The comments I’ve had on my facebook wall from friends have been so encouraging and it’s evidence of the little things we do making such a difference.  Someone may have visited my page for a moment, but leaving their thoughts on it has lifted me a little more.  This is especially lovely when you’re very tired!

Thanks to all who do the little things that make a big difference. So easy, and yet so significant.

Love Kerrie

PS. Lyndon took this pic at 1.25am, when it was all printed out.

100 Days of Gratitude – Day 93

I’m grateful for my facebook world, as I see the impact it has in the real world.
For example, my friend Teonie, is a facebook friend, who I connected with by a reconnection with a school friend.  We’ve discovered a lot of things in common, and she’s introduced me to a company she’s passionate about. It’s a company that pours their profits into fighting poverty.  They provided rickshaws for indian families so they can create an income, and orphanages, which is something I’m passionate about too.
I’ve just ordered my sample pack and poured over the inspiring website – check it out here.

It’s amazing how technology and the speed of change can bring challenges, but the opportunities are just amazing.  Teonie is just one of the beautiful people I’ve connected with through social media, and I love that the connections you can make online can have an incredible ripple effect elsewhere.

100 Days of Gratitude – Day 92

I’m thankful for technical glitches.  I don’t enjoy them, especially when I don’t understand, however, due to formatting changing as Lyndon and I worked on completing the layout for the book (to go to the publishers layout team), we picked up a couple of errors that otherwise would have been missed!  A silver lining, a benefit in the bother.  So I see again, how useful challenges can be.  It’s usually afterwards that the learning and other benefits comes, but it’s worth persevering through challenges and looking for the gold, as it’s there!

Due to this, my final page is not complete, (as I had coaching sessions today, not a usual Saturday activity, but a great one), but if I don’t have it sorted by late tonight or tomorrow I’ll be very surprised.

How lovely to be so very close to completion – of this part of the journey – but the wild ride and constant learning continues.

I’m grateful that I can now see the potential for gold to come from challenges, as my approach in my younger days was frustration and disappointment. Sometimes when the challenge is enormous I get excited when I think about the possible enormous benefits that could be on the other side!  The toughest part of a challenge is just before the breakthrough, and it’s darkest, just before the dawn. Hang in there!

Cheering you on,

Love Kerrie

100 Days of Gratitude – Day 91

Tonight I’m grateful for the energy to stay focused on the final edits and layout of my book, Lifting the Lid on Quiet Achievers, and grateful that Lyndon and Ethan decided that tonight would be a good night to go out for dinner and celebrate the completion of the book.  We’re so close we thought we may have finished this afternoon, but after a few technical glitches slowing things down, we realised that tomorrow is more realistic.  So Lyndon and I were discussing leaving the celebrating until tomorrow night, but when Ethan came into the office looking gorgeous in his Sunday best we decided we’d go.  We celebrated that we’ve come this far, and I acknowledged Ethan for his patience throughout the book journey, and Lyndon for his ongoing support and all the work he’s done in layout and managing files, such as photos, quotes and images for the book.

We celebrated in style at the new Lime Thai restaurant in Dubbo, and Lyndon took this photo, Ethan’s first photo since having the cast removed from his arm earlier today.  I’m grateful for that too! It looks a little skinnier than his right arm, but I’m sure it will be back to full health soon.

Have a wonderful weekend my friends,

Love Kerrie

PS.  I’m also grateful for inspiring conversations today with contributors to my book, Mary, Robin, Ellen and Mark.  I love that these people are in my world… I’m so blessed and very grateful!

100 Days of Gratitude – Day 90

I’m grateful for wonderful books.  I came across this one, Everyday Greatness, (Stephen R Covey, David K Hatch) at the library last week when Ethan was stocking up.  It has heaps of great quotes, and some short stories that are incredibly inspiring. I learned more about Abraham Lincoln’s early days, in the chapter titled Humility. His attitude in the face of opposition and outright scorn was amazing.

I don’t have time to read the whole book now, as mine’s getting ready for printing, but taking breaks from the computer I’ve walked around reading a few quotes here and there.

After speaking with Pam Hardgrave from Lillydale, QLD, who is one of the inspiring entrepreneurs in my new book, I found this quote – relevant to Pam who has a great sense of humour, even in challenging times.

“If you’re going to be able to look back on something and laugh about it, you might as well laugh about it now. – Marie Osmond

I have another great book called the pocket book of positives, which my dear friend Sandra Groom gave me last year when she visited us.  It’s useful to have a book like these within reach for when you want a break from the detail of editing, or are doing anything else that drains your energy.

Cheering you on,

Love Kerrie