A Letter of Gratitude + Good Mood Update

A year ago today, I was lying in a hospital bed, scared for my baby’s future, and struggling with a lot of pain that my mind had convinced me to be true. The following 6 months proceeded to be the darkest emotional period of my life.
Looking back, it all seems so far away. A blurry memory from the past.
I am a believer that things happen to us for a reason, and that reason is a gift –often disguised as challenges- that helps us grow and to fully experience the beautiful subtleties of Life. If nothing else, at least to remind us to appreciate the good in our lives, which we often take for granted.
Today, our 4lb preemie baby is a healthy, happy, active, and very curious little boy. Ryan now has 8 teeth, is in the 90^th percentile for height, can stand on his own, and can crawl faster than I can catch him.

My friend Derek thinks we should stop calling him a “preemie”, and instead call him “advanced”. He was so eager to learn about the world, that he came out of the “oven” 8 weeks early.
And myself? Today, I feel like I’ve reached another peak of personal fulfillment and Joy. I am happier, more centered, and more grateful to the little gifts of everyday life. I have learned so much through this past year.
Things aren’t always smooth (as with everyone’s life), but today, I am better able to re-adjust the sail of my emotional boat than ever before. I feel that I am much more fluid at accepting and adapting to the fluctuations of daily life, which we all encounter.
I wanted to take a moment to thank YOU, from the depth of my Being, for being so supportive of me over the past years, and months, and weeks, and days.
Thank you for being patient with me, when I was too disturbed with my own struggles to write. For being the most outrageous cheerleaders, when the good mood blogging contest was going down.
Thank you for pointing out my typos and spelling booboos. For encouraging me with words of comfort when I needed it. For participating and sharing openly about your life on our facebook page.
Thank you for being uniquely you, and for reminding me to be uniquely me.
You guys, truly rock my world.

I can’t wait to see what 2011 has in store for us. And I have a hunch it’s going to be something extraordinary! Something that will bring us even closer together – a community of happiness soldiers, spreading messages of joy and conscious living in a massive way. I can’t wait!
I’ve converted the Happiness Team email list (originally created to remind people to vote) to a Think Simple Now thought of the day mailing list – where I share, casually, some thought that inspired me each day. I do my best to send something daily. The messages are immediate, unpolished, and frequent. If you’ve enjoyed our regular Think Simple Now articles here, come by and have a look at the Thought Of The Day mailing list. See you on the inside!
From my family to yours, wishing you abundance, happiness, and laughter. I love you.

Good Mood Gig2 Blogger Contest Results

In other news, I just got a call from the SAM-e Good Mood Blogger contest people, and the verdict is: we won!
*happy dance*
When I took the call, I was standing in the middle of the grocery store, holding several packages of frozen goods. My heart was beating so loud –as if it was bouncing 5 meters out of my chest- I could barely hear the representative’s voice.
I was so nervous, I don’t actually remember what she said. The only thing I remember now is that I had won, and the sound of my heart beating loudly. And now, I can finally release the breath I’ve been holding for the past 2 months, and begin to breathe and function like a normal human again. *smiles*
During the contest period, I was deeply moved by all the support from you, all the emails with words of encouragement and wisdom, and for everyone going out of your way to get your family and friends to vote. I am sincerely grateful.
I’ve written about this in the Daily Emails. To summarize: I’ve received so many gifts as a result of this contest, that even if we didn’t win, I would have walked away feeling like a winner – after all, winning is a psychological state in our own minds.
Through this time, I got to connect closely with so many of you. I got to hear your stories. And through your transparency, and heart felt writing, often your stories would bring tears to my eyes.
I have so much to learn. And I’m glad we can do this together.
The other big gift I received as a result is reconnecting with my voice, which I thought that I had lost after diving into “mommy brain” mode for several months.
I’ve enjoyed writing the daily emails to many of you in the mailing list – for those who wanted daily vote reminders. I learned that good articles don’t have to take 20 hours to produce. The conditions don’t have to be perfect. I can write, or do anything, whenever I set my mind to it. It’s all a matter of intention.
I’ve also become unexpected friends with a finalist from last year, Suzanne McMinn – who was so generous, and shared so much wisdom with me; not just about the contest, but also some much needed advice on how to become a better pro-blogger.
Until the new year -when I start to post daily snippets of happiness on the good mood blog- you can join our daily conversation on facebook (I’d love to see you there), or sign up to receive the Thought Of The Day email.
I thank you again, from the wholeness of my heart.
Have a beautiful week!
Enjoy the Holidays.
Tina

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