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