A Year of Gratitude - Day One Hundred Fifty-three

Day 153 - New Territory

I had a wonderful day today!  I had the chance to be in Victoria, BC, and spend the day (actually the weekend) with someone very special.  And in doing so, I got to see a part of the city I have never experienced before.  Yes, we went by the landmarks you know as a tourist, but I wasn’t really a tourist this time.  I was a visitor.

We went shopping at a local market so I could make my (mom’s) Macaroni & Cheese for dinner; I wouldn’t normally think of going to a grocery store as a special event (except when I’m really hungry), but given the nature of the visit, this was quite special.

It was nice to have a new experience with someone I care about; it was a wonderful departure from the day-to-day challenges of life - a mini-vacation - and I loved the day, rain and all, and I am indeed grateful.

A Year of Gratitude - Day One Hundred Fifty-two

Day 152 - Reconnecting

I had the opportunity today to reconnect with someone I met awhile ago and with whom I felt a strong connection.  It was wonderful to spend some time together, and I look forward to more.

It reminds me that there are many people with whom I have not communicated in awhile, and I’m grateful for the various chances to reach out and find out how they are doing.  Friends bring so much to my life, and I wish I had the ability to gather them all up in one place at one time and express to them how I feel about what they do for me, and how much I love and care about them.  Friendship is an amazing process.

Let’s talk soon.

A Year of Gratitude - Day One Hundred Fifty-one

Day 151 - Being Unsettled

As I was reviewing what I have written so far, I found that I skipped a day by mistake, so my numbers are a bit off.  What I have listed as Day 144 was actually 145; so I’ll write about what I was grateful for on day 144 now.  And tomorrow, I'll be back on track.

I was having coffee with my friend and yoga instructor, Denny, and we were talking about how sometimes this gratitude blog wasn’t easy to write - sometimes I can’t think of anything to be grateful for, and at the moment, I’m feeling unsettled.  He said, “So write about that.”

He’s right, of course.  Similar to my post about loneliness, feeling unsettled brings me awareness of - and appreciation for - the times when my life seems clear and focused.  If I were never confused or weary, I’d never recognize the value of the times when I have clarity.  There is always something positive that comes from every situation.

Thank you, Denny, for being the catalyst for positive thought.

A Year of Gratitude - Day One Hundred Fifty

Day 150 - A New Effort

I decided recently to expand my networking efforts to include Seattle.  I am familiar with the city; I have family and friends there, and have some great memories.  What surprised me the most was how energized I was as I began the networking efforts.

Networking in one town can help the process in another.  I had the chance to meet with a colleague in Seattle who is a member of a networking group here in Portland.  It began a fairly successful effort that I hope will continue to get some traction.  I will return in a few weeks to follow up, and look forward to more excitement.

I’m glad to have something that fires me up and gets me out of the house.

A Year of Gratitude - Day One Hundred Forty-nine

Day 149 - Second Chances

I had a very important experience today.  It wasn’t the first time, but it was the first time in awhile.  

I had the opportunity to offer a mock interview to a colleague, and I felt as if I were the better for it.  When we first met well over two years ago in a business networking group, I had heard some less than flattering things about him from others in our organization.  He was responsible for some things that hadn’t gone well, and unfortunately was not held in high esteem by some of the other members.

He hired me a few weeks ago to do some interviewing coaching, and today was the mock interview.  He turned out to be very articulate, smart, engaging... and if I were to have had a position open, I would have hired him on the spot.  

So why is this an important experience for which I would be grateful?  It offered me a second chance to create my own opinion of him apart from earlier connections; I feel better about our friendship, and that is always a good thing.

A Year of Gratitude - Day One Hundred Forty-eight

Day 148 - Developing Reputations

I have been working for some time now to get the word out that I’m interested and available to speak to groups about Interviewing Skills, and it appears that ever since I began moderating a job seekers group almost a month ago, the opportunities have begun to appear.

I spoke at the Hillsboro Job Seekers Network today, and had a wonderful time.  Sure, technical things didn’t start out right, but it all worked out well in the end.  I received some kind feedback, and they have asked me to come back in December or January.  I may even get some work from it.  We’ll see.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to develop a positive reputation.  I try to give as much as I can afford; I do what I love, and trust the money will come someday soon.

A Year of Gratitude - Day One Hundred Forty-seven

Day 147 - Diversions

I had a brief visit with some friends from out of town, and I enjoyed it immensely.  They were only here for a couple days, so I had but one chance to get together.  Great people.

Later, I went to my Monday networking meeting and shared a couple hours with fellow job seekers, some of whom are becoming real friends.  I enjoyed the presentation given, and felt that it was time well spent.

Then Mom and I went to the glass school’s annual Macaroni & Cheese night - taking Mom’s famous Mac&Cheese, naturally, and had a nice time there, too.  

It is fun - and healthy - to have occasional diversions - friends who make me smile, something different to do.  Everyone needs to smile from time to time.