Have you ever felt uncomfortable receiving a compliment? Or wished someone expressed just a bit of gratitude? Beyond etiquette or social graces, expressing thanks is an opportunity to connect with others and personally with one's self.  There is a continuum from approval to appreciation, and ultimately to gratitude.  Being open to receiving is a skill to be practiced, and a Thank You is the gift we give in return, and also the gift we give ourselves when we stop to take a moment to express it and mean it.  Let's move from an annual day of Thanksgiving to a spirit of Thanks-living.  

Have you ever regretted holding yourself back, or kicked yourself with the thought  “if only I had …” ? Delete the narrative you tell yourself that keeps you from being bold!  A missed opportunity is a bigger deal than the fear of a little temporary awkwardness, embarrassment or rejection. Practice recognizing the opportunity of Now, and embolden yourself, to ask and go after what you want. Weigh the risks of not doing and not trying, and the regret of things you didn’t do over what you did do.  Go for it!

Have you ever been afraid to try something new? Don’t wait to be invited— invite yourself to possibilities, and create new opportunities! Impress yourself for your first impressions.  Celebrate your courage to show up, and your daring to be in the room or to stand in the arena, to be a part of what’s New, because that where life is meant to be lived.

Have you ever avoided or anticipated something with dread? Life isn’t a dress rehearsal; it’s lived in the moment. Rehearsing fear, sadness, or dread brings more drama than peace, experiencing emotions that don’t have to be felt in advance! Consider what we bring to the present by worrying about the future.  Why rehearse the suck? Instead be open to any experience, just to be in the moment as it’s happening.  It is what it’s going to be.  You’ll find out when you get there. 

Have you ever felt an emotion like anger, and then felt guilty about it? It's okay to be angry! An emotion, like anger, in and of itself isn't bad. Have it, recognize it, release it, and move forward. It's not whether to express it or not. It's the choice of how to express it that heals. Whether it's by what you do or what you say, make the choice to express yourself for your sake, FFS. 

Have you ever felt like "just" a bystander? Have you ever felt, in this perfect-selfie world, like you're the only one struggling? Know you're not alone. We can connect instead of distance, relate instead of isolate, and rather than lead One-to-Many, we can lead One-to-One, many many times. Like Dear Evan Hansen, "when you don't feel strong enough to stand, you can reach out your hand" and we will lift each other up. We're all in this together.

Have you ever felt hurt by disappointment by a friend, colleague, or partner? Rather than letting the disappointment fester, pierce it to express it, and then heal.  Recognize what's in front of you the entire time.  By seeing something as it is, rather than the idea or wish of what we'd like to believe, we can have memories and present experiences without tainted emotion, to wisely navigate and enjoy the different depths of relationships.

Have you ever felt the weight of expectations, not only of yourself but of others? Do your expectations change how you show up in every situation? Connect, rather than separate, by recognizing interpretations over translations, to create a network out of individual operating systems.  Since we can only control ourselves, we can self-check and turn the finger back to own and be accountable for how we show up and own our experiences.

Have you ever believed your age defines you? You can choose if a number imprisons you or liberates you! There are different seasons of life, so don't envy youth, or apologize for lessons learned and wisdom earned. Order the chicken fingers and tater tots! Taste, save and enJOY the hot fudge sundae! You don't have to always strive to be "adulting", and you can definitely take your youth with you! Every day you wake up and have breath is a birthday, especially when you consider the alternative.  

Have you ever felt in need of a pick-me-up? Y’know, “adulting” and play are not mutually exclusive.  You have the choice of which lens you see the world! There are no rules; make up a holiday and spark a celebration.  Let loose, woot-woot, chee hoo, laugh like Chewbacca, and the lasting memories make the celebration a gift that keeps on giving.  Celebrate along the way and then life itself becomes a celebration!