The ABCs of Life
When I started my job at the local community foundation in 2005, I was wide-eyed and wondering, “How do I do my best work in an organization that is part of a movement I don’t fully understand, knowing that we are in a complete start-up phase?” I was completely committed to this exciting work, confident that it had significant potential for the community.
To be fair, there had been lots of good hard thinking prior to my start and there were some basic policies in place. I had some non-specific and general marching orders to ‘go do good’, one step at a time. But, at this moment of organizational and personal transition, I didn’t have much cement in the mixer.
One of the board members who was on the hiring committee declared in one of our earliest meetings, “Let’s start as we wish to continue.”
About the same time, the rest of the members were checking their pockets, looking for $20 bills that would allow the purchase of paper, paper clips and business cards. I was using my personal computer and perching in a shared office space that one of the founding board members had generously offered. When I left, the balance sheet told a completely different story, but the beginnings were modest – to say the least.
Most of us start each new chapter with a few solid resources, a vague idea of priorities, and spend a lot of time exploring, navigating the myriad of choices with as much confidence as we can muster. It is normal to start tentatively when we are in transition or starting something big.
Early on, I also committed to a ‘daily walk-about’ – a chance to get some fresh air, take a break, say hello to people on the street, and visit the Post Office. My route took me past the window of a store displaying a plaque, “The ABC’s of Life”. After a few weeks of walking by and trying to memorize the whole list, I decided I needed to buy the thing on my own dime.
That ABC plaque is still guiding me as I take my next small step on this, my newest venture, The Gratitude Project.
The ABC’s of Life begins: A for Accept Differences. B for Be Kind. C for Count your blessings. D for Dream.
By selectively reading this alphabetical list, I can interpret at least half of the instructions as different ways to encourage Gratitude. For example, E for Express thanks. G for Give freely. H for Harm no one. R for Reciprocate. T for Touch hearts. Z for Zealously support a worthy cause.
Harm no one and Gratitude? Yes – science asserts that there are no known detrimental side-effects to being grateful. Amazing. Without a word of a lie… gratitude is a power tool. I know some think that gratitude is an overused word and sounds too sentimental and cheesy. With intention and practice Gratitude becomes a profound lens to reframe the past and open new doors to self-awareness, self-acceptance, and finding joy, sometimes hiding in the thorns.
Gratitude connects the tenderness in your heart to the object of your gratitude – person, place or thing. Gratitude is a quick and easy go-to when savouring the moment, feeling joyful, dealing with hassles, living with grief, or looking for your next step on the way to building a multi-million dollar fund.
Interested in learning more? For anyone who is curious or skeptical or confident about the benefits of gratitude, there is still room to join Grapes’n’Gratitude – check it out and connect with new people, remind yourself of some basic ABC’s and make your transition into winter 2020 a happier one.
Grapes ‘N’ Gratitude… A Christmas Series
⭐️ 3 spots remaining! ⭐️
Five Tuesdays of creative journaling and memory lane-ing – you will gain clarity and confidence as you strengthen your gratitude practice, make new friends and get ready for the season of high emotions.
Dates: Four Tuesdays (November 3, 10, 17, 24) – online via Zoom
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Final Celebration: December 1 – this event will be face to face, Time & Location TBA
Equipment: Your memory, a pen and a journal or notebook
Maximum Group Size: 6
Cost: $100
