Sharing Thanks

I am always thankful to read a good book. So I am going to add a new feature to Sharing Thanks. Every month I am going to share what books I'm reading! These selections are books I fell in love with over the month. They either provided me with inspiration, comedy, or wild imagination. I love reading while I'm soaking in a hot bath. I also love to read while I am waiting. I am happier waiting if I have a good book. It turns down time in to a learning time for me! This month I loved reading, " 10% Happier" by ABC Nightline reporter Dan Harris.  Don't we all want to be at least 10% Happier. This is a great read as Dan Harris has interviewed many self-help gurus over the years like Eckart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, and even the Dalai Lama. I enjoyed reading about how Dan Harris started practicing meditation. He has some great instructions in the appendix of his book about beginning a basic mindfulness meditation practice, as well as how to do walking meditat

Sharing thanks today by sharing a video my deaf daughter shared with me in a link last week. Since she sent it to me, it seems to have gone viral and I have seen it on the Huffington Post. Having a disability cuts you off from people when you don't speak the same language. How wonderful that this man's neighbors would gather and take the time to learn ASL, to give this man a day he does not expect, We all need to find ways to connect with one another. Enjoy the video and be a good neighbor!

I am so grateful to the 92nd Street Y for showcasing "Seymour: and introduction" in their reel pieces screening and talks. Seymour is about retired concert pianist Seymour Bernstein, who continues teaching lessons to students and master classes at NYU's Tisch school for the arts. I got to share this amazing experience with my good friend and musician Liz. The piano score in the movie is breathtaking. The film documents the emotional experience that music offers to us all. Ethan Hawke's direction to tell Seymour's story and impart his wisdom about how practicing a talent carries over to the discipline and values we hold dear in our personal lives. Below are 4 lessons I learned in watching this brilliant portrait of an artist. Finding and practicing your talent is part of the purpose of your life. Excellence comes from much practice and study. When we listen to an artist perform we need to appreciate the practice and courage that has been done to get a flawl

Gratitude is scientifically proven to make us happier. I've put this Top Ten List together to help jumpstart your gratitude habit! This new thankful attitude will help your mind focus on the little joys available to all of us everyday. These suggestions are easy to do! Share your experiences in adapting some of these thankful habits. Wake up Thankful: When you open your eyes, Say thank you, thank you, thank you! You are alive, and the new day is filled with possibilities for you! Take time to stop and smell the coffee! Take the time to breathe in the sweet aroma of a cup of coffee, or home made blueberry muffins.  Enjoy your morning shower. Is there anything better than clean hot water streaming down on you, especially on these cold winter days. Be thankful for the clean water we have. Take a gratitude break. Incorporate a 1 minute break by taking a deep cleansing breathe and think of something your thankful for in this small moment of peace. Give thanks for your food

New York Botanical replica at the Holiday Garden Trains This month on Sharing Thanks I am sharing thanks for December Joys! My husband grew up with Lionel Trains. Spencer and his Dad would spend many December hours putting up an elaborate train display. Today I took my husband to experience the holiday magic happening at the New York Botanical Gardens. It was wonderful to see so many young children excited about seeing trains on the magnificent replicas of the Brooklyn and Hellgate Bridges. To find out how you can visit here is a link to the New York Botanical Gardens   Below is a short video I took to try to capture the magic. I was thankful to share this experience with my husband. We giggled over the conductor greeting everyone on stilts. Deep inside there is a kid inside all of us. What December Joy did you discover today? I love hearing your gratitude stories. You can share them in the comments of this blog or tweet them to me  @sharingthanks

Santa decoration found on my Neighborhood walk! Today I had some December Joy walking my dog Oreo around the neighborhood. Everyday new holiday decorations appear. This Space Sleigh Santa gave me a smile. When I was younger I remember being confused about seeing lots of different Santa's. I do believe Santa's helpers bring cheer. They help raise money for the Salvation army and raise holiday spirit. I enjoyed taking my kids when they were young to see Santa and snap a Christmas photo with him. We have the Santa spirit when we focus on what we give during the holiday season. The Santa spirit is alive when we read "The Night Before Christmas." It's alive when are kids write letters to Santa and leave him some milk and cookies to help him fuel his journey. I love Santa decorations and signs to the North Pole! I do imagine if I had the power of Santa Clause that I might make my headquarters in Bermuda. Let's spread some Santa cheer by sharing fun Santa pho

Listening to "I Won't Grow Up" reminds me of the summers I spent at Girl Scout camp growing up. After dinner in the mess hall, the camp counselors would lead us to sing, "I Won't Grow Up!" I loved these song fests after dinner. They made me want to learn to play guitar. I'm enjoying watching Peter Pan Live tonight. I love that your imagination can take you to Neverland! The idea of flying through a starlight sky simply enthralls me. Today my Joy is sitting down with my daughter and watching this classic musical! This month we will be sharing gratitude for December Joys! Share your simple joy in the comments or you can tweet them  @sharingthanks  with #DecemberJoys.