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P Katz April Celebration Log

2006 marked my twentieth year in business. To commemorate the occasion, my friend and colleague, Maggie, gave me a wall stencil with the word 'Celebrate'. I affixed that to the wall in my office and declared the year 2006 to be a year of celebration.

In 2006 I celebrated my 54th birthday and my 32nd wedding anniversary. My children reached 26 and 21 years of age; and my eldest daughter married. Major milestones always stand out, but my intent was to find something to celebrate every single day of the year.

This log is the expression of that intent. Day by day, I recorded experiences, events, and conditions – large and small. Despite life's challenges and disappointments, I always found something to celebrate.

I'm sharing this with you in the hopes that it might help you notice and celebrate more of the good things to be found in your everyday life, too.

Appreciatively yours, Patricia

PS – Why not try this yourself? Download one of the Celebration Log templates and create your own record of appreciation day by day. It's available in two forms with my compliments:

Apr 1 - Today I celebrate ... the joy of a puttering day of shopping. Found: my mother of the bride outfit for the wedding.

Apr 2 - Today I celebrate ... my artwork on display at Gardenscapes. No sales, but exciting to exhibit.

Apr 3 - Today I celebrate ... the courage to make the calls that need to be made – early in the day and early in the week.

Apr 4 - Today I celebrate ... my creative spirit. A day spent with Edward De Bono's Six Thinking Hats. I knew from the beginning that the green hat was for me.

Apr 5 - Today I celebrate ... the gift of three days to spend learning. What a treat to be a participant in the Women's Leadership Intensive.

Apr 6 - Today I celebrate ... the gift of reflection. I see my life in the mirror that is the face and voice of women half my age, as they embark on a journey many miles of which I've already traveled.

Apr 7 - Today I celebrate ... diving deep. A new direction for my life and work. Who knows where it will take me?

Apr 8 - Today I celebrate ... bakeries – the smell, the look, the taste. Christie's Bakery rocks.

Apr 9 - Today I celebrate ... the gift of synchronicity. Tristan tells me she thinks we should have the wedding in the tent, and forget about trying to rearrange the patio area. I'd reached the same conclusion. A load is lifted from our shoulders.

Apr 10 - Today I celebrate ... an impromptu lunch with the young'uns. Now I remember why we never had carpet under the dining room table while the kids were small.

Apr 11 - Today I celebrate ... opportunities that were meant to be. A program in need of a speaker. A speaker in need of an audience. A demo video is born.

Apr 12 - Today I celebrate ... the warmth of the sun and the kiss of the breeze in springtime. What a treat it was to wander the garden with coffee in hand, searching for new growth.

Apr 13 - Today I celebrate ... reaching the end of the 'must do' list, freeing myself for an Easter weekend of fun and relaxation. Yahoo!

Apr 14 - Today I celebrate ... the kind of day that is made for getting out in the garden cleaning up from the winter. Let me at it!

Apr 15 - Today I celebrate ... the sound of water spilling over the waterfall, trickling down the creek bed, and dropping happily into the pond. Ah, yes, the pump works and the water flows.

Apr 16 - Today I celebrate ... the joy of extended family. Three generations happily gathered on my sister's glassed-in veranda – warmed by the sun, the good humored conversation, and the presence of the ones we love.

Apr 17 - Today I celebrate ... the power of pen to paper at the start of the day. A way to capture my dreams, focus my intentions, and clear my mind for the week ahead.

Apr 18 - Today I celebrate ... Dave's willingness to help me sort out technical computer problems. I would be lost without him.

Apr 19 - Today I celebrate ... the power of going with the flow. So what if the sales rep measured incorrectly, there's not enough vinyl flooring, and we'll have to wait a week to have the other bathroom done. Life and death it's not! Easygoing R Us!

Apr 20 - Today I celebrate ... Heather's generosity and willingness to go the extra distance in finding the right venue for the SWN program - so that my goals and hers can be met.

Apr 21 - Today I celebrate ... my daughter's perseverance. Despite problems with her practicum mentor, she stuck it out. She resisted the urge to duck out, and faced the challenge to learn what she could in difficult circumstances. Good for her!

Apr 22 - Today I celebrate ... the little flower girl of 50 years ago. The sweet blond haired child with my name who wore her blue frothy gown and carried her nosegay - shy but present nonetheless.

Apr 23 - Today I celebrate ... my Dad. It's his 81st birthday today and we were able to enjoy a brunch party with him and many others in the family. I love that guy to bits.

Apr 24 - Today I celebrate ... the power of perennials. Despite the long winter, the freezing temperatures, the deep snow ... here they are. Alive, well, greening and reaching for the sun.

Apr 25 - Today I celebrate ... the completion of a job. The vinyl is in. New floors are done.

Apr 26 - Today I celebrate ... a road trip with my mother, and the kindness of my sister, Shelley, who continues to show her confidence in me and her support for my work by booking me for business again and again.

Apr 27 - Today I celebrate ... again - craftsmen who know what they're doing. The new countertop is installed in the kitchen, and it looks fine.

Apr 28 - Today I celebrate ... colleagues, like Elaine, who generously share their expertise and information to help advance my business.

Apr 29 - Today I celebrate ... the joy of sleeping in.

Apr 30 - Today I celebrate ... the certain arrival of spring. How sweet it is!

© 2007 - Patricia Katz MCE CHRP of Optimus Consulting is a speaker, author and consultant who helps individuals and organizations restore the rhythm of renewal to work and life. To bring Patricia's expertise to your organization, contact her at www.patkatz.com or toll free at (877) 728-5289.

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Note: You are welcome to reprint or repost this article with the understanding that: 1) Optimus Consulting retains full copyright. 2) Contact information is included as it appears at the end of the article. 3) Patricia Katz of Optimus Consulting is contacted and sent a copy of the publication or notice of the link in which the article appears.

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