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Beyond Gratitude
November 2006
A Moment For You
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Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratitude (grat’ i tood’ ) From the Latin gratus: pleasing– (n) the state of being grateful; thankfulness; to live in grace; to recognize that life is fragile and all good things are to be recognized and celebrated.

Every year at this time we focus on gratitude: Gratitude about “having” -- family, friendships, material possessions, good health.

That’s good. Gratitude keeps the heart and mind focused positively. More and more, brain research shows that we are healthier when we keep negativity, cynicism, and skepticism at bay.

gratitude
Yet, as a minister’s kid, I’m acutely aware that this week starts the ‘heavy season’ for some. This is when the disparity between the messages of the holiday – JOY! PEACE! BLISS! – often clash with their reality of separation, depression, divorce, death, and illness.

Happiness and contentment have always been a relative term. Each of us has our own peculiar and unique measure of bliss. Ben Franklin said it best: "There are two ways of being happy: we may either diminish our wants or augment our means. Either will do, the result is the same. And it is for each man to decide for himself and do that which happens to be the easiest."

I remember years ago giving my “room boy” in Bali $5 tips each day. A room boy in Indonesian hotels has the job of keeping your room clean, shining your shoes, and running errands. I had a heavy business schedule so I was in heaven. To me, $5 was nothing for those gifts of his time. He told me I was “goddess-sent.” I found out later his monthly take-home pay was $60! He was grateful for $30 extra in his pocket. How does that compare to your measure of happiness?

What is Gratitude if not shared in some tangible way with those coping with the heavier side of the holidays? Being grateful is a good start, but we can do more. I have mentioned here before that I regularly “Do my Gratitudes” -- each morning naming 10 things I’m grateful for, and at 11:11 each day, naming 11 things that make my life precious and special. These rituals keep me focused on the miracle of life and love.

While recognizing how fortunate we are, it’s good to reach out and share our gifts. That is Living Beyond Gratitude. Share your wisdom with kids and with those entering your field of expertise. Give to the Food Banks (not just this month, but every month.) Donate goods to the Salvation Army, Goodwill, Savers, homeless shelters, domestic abuse shelters, your church, your neighborhood collection center.

Be thankful for what you have. Pass your good fortune on to those who have little. Save yourself the hassles of yard sales, overstuffed closets and garages. Stop holding on to things you no longer need. Someone else can use it more than you!

Reach out. Share. Good things come to those with outstretched arms.

And, have a Blessed Thanksgiving,
Beth
cicero
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others. Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC), 'Pro Plancio,' 54 B.C.

Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy. Jacques Maritain (1882 - 1973), Reflections on America, 1958
csp_solo
Beth is putting her 2007 schedule together. If you need to motivate your staff, learn or refresh your skills about Change, Customer Service, Stress, or Managing Conflict, contact Beth today. To get on her schedule send an email to beth@bethterry.com. She travels the world, so no location is too far. Beth's Virtual Press Kit

Go check out the updated BethTerry.com. We are adding to it daily. Very soon we will have links to all the books Beth recommends in her seminars. If you have any favorite books, send us an email and we will include it on our list: balance@bethterry.com

Join Beth in Phoenix on November 28 for a session on “Getting Out of Overwhelm: Handling Holiday Stress” – we will be at the brand new Sherman Training Center
Jackson Pollack
From my friend Rich Carsel This is so cool...move your mouse on the blank page, click your mouse to change color... Be a Jackson Pollack Artist!

A perfect movie for this time of year. I have received this from many of my readers. Bless you for sending it! May You Be Blessed

I was asked for this one again. If you are traveling this holiday season - check for the best airfare and times to buy at FareCast.
Xena 200
Beth says I am her muse. She was struggling with this month’s letter. One of her speaker friends died unexpectedly, and she had a hard time being enthusiastic about writing, let alone anything else. (She abandoned the topic of Enthusiasm for this month ‘cuz she said she needs to feel it to write it! She promises she will finish the “Success series” next month!)

So, since she was sitting in front of the computer forEVER, I decided to help out. I climbed onto her lap and – bingo bongo – she started to write. She told me she’s grateful for all the ideas I gave her for this newsletter. I told her Gratitude is a better topic this month anyway.

I think you two-leggeds take things too seriously. I mean, this is a busy week. Who knows if anyone’s reading this anyway! You are all running around like wackos to buy more food than anyone can eat, sometimes for people you aren’t all that fond of but invite because you have to, just to store it away in the refrigerator and NOT give it to your dog! That’s just nuts! Anyway, if you ARE reading this, send me a note at xena@bethterry.com, and I will make sure she sees it.

Hugs to you all. Thanks for reading my column and for being Beth’s friend.

Xena
Beth,
What a great milestone in your life you have recorded with your 17th anniversary celebration as a fulltime Professional Speaker! I know how difficult it is to achieve that status in the first place, and to continue to hold the title and the esteem of your peers for that length of time is a wonderful achievement.

The very first time I heard you speak, I thought to myself, "I'd like to be like her when I grow up." You are a very entertaining and motivational speaker who gives your audience a great deal to think about long after we have all gone back to our regular lives. The newsletter you've put out is just a continuation of the energy and the personality which you display in person. Thanks for continuing to inspire and motivate through that medium as well as your personal appearances.

Many good wishes for your continued success,

Joan Tucker
President
Volunteer Service League, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center
Phoenix, AZ

Thanks for taking this moment for you. You deserve a little "me" time once in awhile, and we are honored that you would spend some of it with us.

Take care of yourself, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Beth

© 2006 Beth Terry Seminars, Inc., Phoenix, AZ USA
Beth Terry
Beth Terry Seminars

phone: 877-672-5008

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