Monday Morning Match is a simple post – maybe a quote, inspirational story or idea – intended to spark some motivation inside each of you so your week gets off to a fantastic start on Monday morning.

It’s Thanksgiving week here in the United States. It is the official beginning of the holiday season with Christmas and the New Year’s celebrations to follow. While many of the children look forward to the gifts and magic of Christmas, it seems that as you get older you realize that you have more to be thankful for.

I was in Northwest Arkansas last week delivering a full-day presentation and it kicked it off with a simple exercise that challenged the attendees to identify things that made them happy. Here’s a sampling of some of their replies…

A call from a friend for no reason

Trying something new

Taking a walk by myself

Reading a good book

Hearing my children’s laughter

Family breakfasts on Saturday mornings

Floating in a canoe on a sunny day

The feeling of a smallmouth bass on the other end of my fishing pole

Getting into a sun-warmed car on a cold day

Getting hugs from my children

Staring at the ocean with a drink in my hand

Hitting every green light on the way home at the end of the day

Sleeping in

Riding my motorcycle

Being loved

Sunrise in the country.

As we start to think ahead to the new year while doing everything in our power to finish this year strong, it’s a great time to remind yourself what Albert Schweitzer once said,

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.

May the week ahead be filled with building relationships, solving problems, and having fun with family and friends before you get re-focused for a strong final few weeks of the year.

Photo courtesy of Gabriel Gurrola

Photo courtesy of Timothy Eberly

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