As of this writing, we are officially eleven weeks away from Thanksgiving, my very favorite holiday. I have some half written essays in my head and down on "paper" that deserve completion, not because what or how I'm writing is spectacular, but because they are about people who have made such an impactful imprint on my life that I quite literally would not be on the good track that I'm on without them.
At the end of January of this year I moved out of my apartment, and I've been transient ever since. I'm not without direction, but I am without a home. I am restructuring and rebuilding. One of my strong suits (and coping mechanisms) is cleaning things up. When all else fails, I organize: files, closets, kitchens, my planner, my writing, my mind...But I don't have things of my own to clean up right now, so I decided to clean up my writing, and in doing so I found some unfinished essays about people who deserve my gratitude.
I came across this photo I took of some of my favorite coffee mugs before I packed them up, and I started to associate some of the mugs with the unfinished essays about my people. I miss my mugs, but they are waiting for me when the time comes to set up my own place again. Until then, I have plenty to do in this rebuild, including, but not limited to, finishing these tributes. I have been so well loved and supported, and each one of these individuals have given me things that I will to take into my own coaching practice. I have been so, so lucky to come into contact with people who have strong wills, determination, and good hearts. They've worked hard to sharpen their skills and they are willing to share their work with and invest in those around them. And I have been the beneficiary of those things.
This era I'm in has a lot of challenging moments and it can be easy to let my mind pull me into what I've lost, and let the doubt convince me that I'm not up for the challenge of what's ahead.
OR...
I can spend some time, with a grateful heart, completing these essays.
Of course I feel compelled to include this caveat: these essays about the wonderful people who have influenced me is not all inclusive! I have loads of wonderful people in my life, and the people (and experiences) I am writing about are among them, but, in addition, they have specifically been a great influence on the confluence of my writing & running & coaching, which has changed the course of my life.
"I am wealthy in my friends." William Shakespeare.
A Season of Gratitude. Every Thursday.