Day 4: Attitude of Gratitude
I'm grateful, today and every day, that my daily life provides so many beautiful opportunities to nurture my creativity and express myself artistically.
Attitude of Gratitude: Day 5
Today I am grateful for friendship, and all the ways it shows up in my life. Best friends, childhood friends, friendly acquaintances, work friends, writing friends, neighbor friends, internet friends, high school friends, family friends, furry friends, faraway friends, college friends, new friends, friends I haven’t met yet, and even former friends - every one of them has helped shape my values, behaviors, and beliefs, added value to the depth, richness, and quality of my experiences, and contributed somehow to getting me where I am today. I love where I am today, so today’s gratitude belongs to you, my friends.
​Attitude of Gratitude: Day 6
Today I am expressing gratitude for the power, wisdom, and beauty of trees.
​I’ve always been something of a tree hugger; I love their magnificent displays of color in the autumn as they remind us it’s okay to let go, I love the way they model resting for the winter, and I love way they begin anew in the spring. I adore the way they flower, provide food and shelter, and communicate with a language all their own. Trees are special, and I’m thrilled to be planting a new one in our yard today.

Attitude of Gratitude: Day 11
Today I am grateful for the sacrifices - visible and invisible - that our veterans have made in the name of protecting and defending human rights.
I’m grateful for those who heed their calling to serve. I’m grateful that I can take for granted the opportunity to spend a whole month listing out things I’m grateful for on the internet because I live in a time and place where the ideal of saying what I want to say when I want to say it has been established, safeguarded, and upheld. It’s not lost on me that the privilege, security, and comfort of my life experience is, in part, due to the selflessness and bravery of our nation’s veterans. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Attitude of Gratitude: Day 12
Today, I am grateful for Taylor Swift, and no, I’m not kidding.
She is a musical trailblazer, a savvy businessperson, a lyrical genius, and the main soundtrack to the past 15 years of my life.
I walked down the aisle at my wedding to an instrumental version of “Today was a Fairytale,” she sang about Bad Blood and Big Reputations during my legal debacle, and lyrics like, “I’m the one who burned us down/but it’s not what I meant/sorry that I hurt you” popped into random shuffles like divinely-appointed apologies as I worked on healing and forgiveness.
Today, Taylor re-releases her version of her album Red, which originally debuted in 2012, the year I met and fell in love with my husband. I am over-the-moon excited to press “repeat all,” sit back, and enjoy the emotional ride down Memory Lane.
Attitude of Gratitude: Day 13
Today, I’m grateful for my geographical location.
We took a chance and it paid off! Tennessee is beautiful, friendly, entertaining, and in close, easy proximity to a slew of other places that are fun to visit, like Gulf Shores, Alabama, where we are headed right this very minute.
Attitude of Gratitude: Day 14
Today, I am grateful for sleep.
It keeps me happy, it keeps me healthy, it’s one of my top priorities and favorite things to do. I love crawling into bed to read each night and I love the luxury of waking up without an alarm each morning. I love pajamas, I love naps, I love the complexity of my dreams; I just love all of it.
​Attitude of Gratitude: Day 15
Today, I am grateful for perfect days with my favorite guy.

Attitude of Gratitude: Day 22
Today I’m grateful for the duality of the human experience.
There exists a wide spectrum of emotion in each of us, and it’s not uncommon for me to feel a slew of them in quick succession or even simultaneously. I can be heartbroken over news stories coming from my home state of Wisconsin and still laugh at my husband’s jokes. I can denounce the historical context of Thanksgiving and still be looking forward to Thursday. I can be having a frustrating day (slow drivers! late doctors! road closures! wrong turns!) and still be grateful for moments of time within it.
I’m grateful to have “Yes And” awareness.
Attitude of Gratitude: Day 23
Today I’m grateful for books.
​Reading has been a mainstay hobby for my entire life; it’s one of my favorite ways to pass time. Books entertain, educate, and inspire me. They take me places I might not otherwise go; they open my mind to different ways of thinking and expand my worldview, which, in turn, expands my compassion, empathy, and ability to be kind.
​Attitude of Gratitude: Day 24
Today, I’m expressing gratitude for one of the great loves of my life, Simon. We hit the jackpot when we rescued this dog. He’s intelligent and hilarious, an impressive communicator, and an absolute snuggle bug. He loves his people, and takes his self-appointed job of being our protector very seriously (did you know Lhasa Apsos originated in Tibet and were bred as sentinels in palaces and Buddhist monasteries?). He’s a faithful companion, a total charmer, and matches all the typical temperament characteristics of the breed: playful, assertive, devoted, confident, friendly, steady, energetic (two walks a day, every day!), fearless, lively, spirited, and obedient. Well, maybe not that last one.
I thank my lucky stars for Simon multiple times each and every day. I’ve never known another dog quite like him, and I suspect I never will.

Attitude of Gratitude: Day 25
Today, I’m grateful for sleeping late, family walks in the rain, long hot showers, Bloody Marys, parades, dog shows, football, turkey, butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, gluten-free stuffing, holiday decorations, the walk down memory lane as I place ornaments on the tree, snuggles on the couch, cribbage, text messages and phone calls with loved ones, and you.
Attitude of Gratitude: Day 26
I’m grateful for my sister and the special friendship we’ve cultivated over the years. She’s my lifelong bestie and always my first phone call when I have something amazing or awful to share; sometimes, those phone calls last for hours and hours. She’s the person who gets me best - we laugh till we cry and cry until we laugh, and talk each other off ledges on a rotating basis. I love spending time with her, and being able to do it more frequently was a major factor in our decision to move to Tennessee. She’s an incredible human being, my sister, and I feel fortunate to have her in my world, never mind my very own family. 
​Attitude of Gratitude: Day 27
Today, I’m grateful for my new kitchen shelves. We live for a good DIY project around here, and this one was a long time coming.

​Attitude of Gratitude: Day 28
I’m grateful for experiences that teach me it’s okay to let go and walk away.
This is not something that comes easily to me - since I was a child, I’ve held some oddly embedded beliefs around loyalty and follow-through and finishing what I start, and while there IS value to be found in that, it’s equally important to recognize when it’s time to fold ‘em.
Not everything in life needs to include suffering; joy doesn’t need to be the exception.
If something or someone makes me consistently miserable or uncomfortable or feel emotionally unsafe, I now know I have absolute permission to leave, no explanation necessary.
Hey, I do love crossing the finish line of a good challenge, but I’ve come to value my ability to discern when it’s time to quit without shame or guilt as the sweetest victory of all.
Attitude of Gratitude: Day 29
Today I am grateful for the helpers.
I’m grateful for people who go into service industries to be of assistance in making other people’s experiences pleasant, I’m grateful for customer service departments, and I’m grateful for the people who reflexively spring to action when they see someone in need, whether they know them or not. I’m grateful for people who encourage, uplift, and inspire with their words, the ones who show up to lend a hand when the world falls apart, and the ones who make it a habit to practice random, anonymous acts of kindness. I’m grateful for first responders, front line workers, and those who risk their lives every time they do their job. I’m grateful for people who use their time, energy, and resources to better the collective. I’m grateful for decision-makers who understand that strong communities are the backbone of successful societies, that health is our greatest wealth, that a rising tide lifts all ships.
It’s the helpers that make this world go ‘round, and that is not lost on me.
Attitude of Gratitude: Day 30 
I have saved the best for last. 
Today, like every day of the last nine years and 11 months, I am grateful for my husband, James.  
James makes everything better. He is smart and thoughtful and funny and kind. Just yesterday, he ran an errand. It was a surprisingly chilly day, given all the bright sunshine, and he was standing outside waiting for the notary’s office to open. There was also an elderly woman waiting, shivering because she’d misjudged the temps and didn’t have a jacket. “Didn’t expect it to be this cold!” she said to him as she rubbed her hands together.
My husband immediately gave her his leather motorcycle jacket to wrap around her shoulders while they waited.
If you know James, you probably just said something like, “Of course he did,” in your head when you read that.
Because of course he did.
I am grateful for how often and how loudly he makes me laugh. I am grateful that he always reaches for my hand and then says, "There. That's better." I'm grateful for his constant willingness to learn new ideas, try new things, and go new places. It helps me do the same.
I’m grateful for the beautiful way he loves, cares for, and honors me with his words and his actions, the way he makes decisions based on what is best for our family, the way he gives me space when I need space and a hug when I need a hug.
I'm grateful that he sets up the coffee maker each night and brings a mug to my bedside every morning, even though he, himself, is not a coffee drinker. I'm grateful for how diligently he keeps me safe and takes tender care of my heart. I am grateful that he is a man of integrity and action, and that I can trust him completely and indefinitely.
Last month, a friend of mine met James after reading about him in my book. “It’s an honor to meet you,” she said, “you are such a strong example of Divine Masculine Energy.“
I can’t stop thinking that. She’s so right.
He's my perfect partner, my best friend, and just a complete gem of a human being. I still can hardly believe the luck, getting to spend our lives together, and for that, I am grateful.

​It’s a space you (presumably) use every day, so it makes sense to get it organized and let it work for you.

As with ANY organizing project, start by removing things that don’t belong in the room.

Next, empty every shelf, drawer, and cabinet.

Take stock of what you have by going through each item one by one. Toss anything that is expired, empty, doesn’t work, or you don’t use.

When replacing items you use, consider what you use the MOST, and give it prime real estate - the eye level shelf, the top drawer, the closest cabinet.

Group like with like: make-up and beauty items, appliances, first aid, excess tissue and tp, etc. Use baskets and drawer separators where you can. Find a place for everything you want to keep, and put everything in its place. Consider moving full toiletries in good shape to a guest bath or donating to a women’s shelter.

Clean all surfaces. Once everything is sorted and put away, wipe down any and all counters, sinks, mirrors, toilets and floors; empty and wipe down the trashcan.

Establish a day for weekly or monthly maintenance, depending on your schedule and needs.

Here’s another space that likely gets used on a daily basis (or maybe even hourly, if your home is like our home).

The longer it’s been since you’ve cleaned and organized the fridge, the longer it might take to get it back into tip top shape. (On the flip side, the more often you do it, the easier it becomes!)

First step, as always, is to take it all out. Remove every single item from the shelves, drawers, and doors and take inventory.

Release anything expired, empty, you don’t like or don’t use; consolidate where applicable.

Clean all inside surfaces, remove and rinse/wipe drawers, wipe down doors and handles.

Only replace items you will use, and be mindful of where you put what. We keep our veggies on the eye-level shelf for easy access and easy inventory - seeing them every time I open the fridge acts as a trigger for me to assess if I can add them in to whatever it is I’m about to make vs. “out of sight, out of mind.”
​

​I love, love, love organizing closets! I’m a strong believer that your closet should be a place that inspires and comforts you.

As such, everything in your closet should fit you comfortably, be aligned with your personal style, be in a clean, wearable condition, serve a specific function or speak to a specific type of occasion, and/or be appropriate for the season/s in which you currently live.

Does yours pass the test? If not, carve out some time to get it in order - the cusp of a new season is actually perfect timing!

To start, empty the entire closet out (just like we did with our bathrooms and our refrigerators). We do this because it’s much easier to be discerning about what goes into an empty space than about what should come out of a disheveled one.

Clean all the surfaces - vacuum, dust, spray and wipe. You won’t see this space empty again any time soon, so take advantage.

Go through each item one by one. Ask yourself: Does it fit? Do I love it? How often do I reach for it? Do I like the way I look and feel in it? Would I buy it again?

Decide if you’ll discard, donate, or repair items with stains, missing buttons, ripped hems, small holes, or other signs of wear and tear. (Don’t forget to also look at your shoes, coats, scarves, hats, purses, socks, etc.!)

Hang up as much as possible; group like with like. When you opt for hanging over folding, your cloths will have less wrinkles and it’ll be easier to see your options.

Categorize by type: tops (long sleeve, short sleeve, sleeveless), dresses, skirts, blazers, cardigans, pants, workout clothes, pajamas, etc.

Pro Tip: Color-coding each category can save you time in the long run (plus, color-coded anything is always more aesthetically pleasing!).

Mend, donate, or sell gently used items within 7-10 days. Any longer and you’ll suffer an unintended consequence of having to navigate a new pile of clutter in your home.

Final step: bask in the fresh energy and gorgeous state of your newly organized closet!

​What’s something you want to do more of that would make your life healthier and happier?

It might be something you already do but want to increase its duration and/or frequency, or something you don’t do yet but are now ready to begin.

A key component to setting yourself up for success is knowing WHERE you’ll execute your chosen activity.

Whether you want to…

💛meditate/journal
💛lift weights
💛knit/sew/quilt
💛food prep
💛work from home
💛paint/sketch/draw
💛practice yoga
💛grow your own food
💛read/write books
💛get better sleep

…then you need to make room for it to happen!

Designated space doesn’t have to be elaborate or expansive. You don’t need to have completed different rooms set up for meditating, exercising, and crafting - you just need to have spaces that cater to the activities you want to incorporate into your life.

Today, pick an activity you want to increase that supports your health and/or happiness, then designate the place in your home to set up specifically for it.

Outer order invites inner calm - we are happier and more productive in tidier spaces.

Plus, it’s much easier to KEEP an area tidy than it is to MAKE an area tidy.

PLUS, knowing there is a finite time you are going to dedicate to the task each day helps alleviate potential feelings of overwhelm.

Studies show a cluttered home can be a stressful home, and while there are different schools of thought regarding HOW to best declutter (touch everything! touch nothing! do it all at once! break it into bite-sized chunks!) the bottom line stays the same - a tidier home makes you happier.

Your Action Step here is to set a timer for 10 minutes each evening before (or as part of) your bedtime routine, with the goal being to knock out as many “it takes less than a minute” tidying tasks as you can before the countdown ends. When the timer stops, so do you.  ​

​I say it every month in my love letters - you are an investment worth making.

I believe in the power of self-care to serve as a foundational piece of our overall health and wellness, and I can testify to the way that habits like the ones we’ve covered this month can sustain you even during your darkest hour.

I do Self-Care September for a few reasons. One, I want you to have both the opportunity and the tools to boost your self-care game and strengthen some of the foundational pieces that lend themselves to a successfully healthy life.

I also want to spread the word that taking soulful, loving care of ourselves is accessible, affordable, and so, so, SO important.

Today, make it a point to acknowledge that you know you are an investment worth making. It doesn’t have to be extravagant - just choose at least one way you will invest your time, money, and/or energy towards prioritizing your own well-being.

Maybe you… sign up for that fitness program you’ve been eyeing, commit to the Thought Leader training you’ve been so curious about, book a weekend getaway, buy the new bedsheets, take yourself out to a fancy lunch, order more bath bombs or skin care products or books.

Hire a coach. Find a therapist. Call to make an appointment for your next haircut, facial, or massage.

Take the plunge. Pull the trigger. Treat yourself. Heck, *spoil* yourself.

Life is so short and you are so worthy.

“We do not learn from experience…we learn from reflecting on experience” -John Dewey    

Reflection is a skill worth honing, as it helps you learn from your mistakes, generate new ideas, gain fresh perspective, and understand yourself better.

“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.” -Peter Drucker

Today, take a moment to consider the way you show up for yourself. Ask yourself:

1. What’s going well right now?
2. What’s something I’ve learned about myself recently?
3. Where do my actions need realignment towards my intention?
4. What’s an insight or appreciation from the past month I’d like to fold into my “new normal”?

​This is actually one of the mottos of my marriage - my husband and I always expect the Best Possible Outcome, and we always look for ways to Let it be Easy, whatever “it” may be.

Today, and every day going forward for the rest of the month, stop overcomplicating what doesn’t need to be complicated.

Stop struggling unnecessarily. Stop relentlessly pushing back against what IS.

It’s exhausting and depleting, and it doesn’t need to be happening.

Just let go. Change the pattern.

Keep it simple. Keep it easy.

Reclaim your energy for things that light you up, that bring value and joy and serenity to your life.

Letting it be easy isn’t about ignoring hardship or dodging reality, it’s about releasing resistance and choosing peace.

How can you choose peace today?

Where can you just let it be easy?

​Planning your menus helps you create balanced meals and make healthier choices, and saves you time and money at the grocery store.

(It also dismisses the tedious repetition of the “What do you want to have for dinner tonight?” conversation.)

On top of all that, planning also reduces food waste.

At our house, we plan dinners anywhere from a week to a month ahead, with a few openings to account for last minute plans or changes in our schedule - rigidity doesn’t belong in an eating plan, IMHO.

I always start with proteins and go from there. And because I grocery shop on Monday mornings, part of my Sunday routine is cross-checking our menu plan against our grocery list.

Today, take a few moments to do Future You a solid favor and think about what your dinners will look like this week, then bask in all the extra time you get by not having to think about it over and over and over again.

​If you still make trips to the grocery store yourself these days (raises hand), use these guidelines to set yourself up for health/budget success. If you get your groceries delivered (such a smart way to save time, especially if you work full time and/or have kiddos to raise!), most of them are still applicable when making your choices.

S: Stay primarily around the perimeter of the store, where fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and fish are usually located; be super selective with the center aisles you visit; this is where packaged, over-processed foods lurk.

H: Handle marketing ploys by steering clear of foods with cartoons on the label that are targeted to children. (Pro Tip: If you don't want your kids eating over-processed foods, don't bring them in the house.)

O: Opt out of foods that contain more than five ingredients, artificial ingredients, or ingredients you can't pronounce.

P: Plan ahead and take a list - know what you are actually NEED for the week rather than relying on what looks good to you in the moment.

L: Labels are important! They give you valuable information you can use to determine what kinds of packaged food you will allow into your body.

O: Opt for real food whenever possible, with as little processing and as few additives as possible. If you want more salt or sugar, add it yourself.

V: Voice your desires to management…sometimes all a grocery store needs to start carrying a product is the indication that their customers are looking for it!

E: Educate yourself on food safety; google for fast refreshers:
-Dirty Dozen (buy these organic if/when you can)
-Clean 15 (least amount of pesticides found)