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P Katz December 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:
- My Celebration Log - MS Word Doc (334 kb)
- My Celebration Log - PDF Format (280 kb)
Dec 1 - Today I celebrate ... the ease with which I can conduct a media interview. It was fun responding to the CBC Blue Sky host and callers.
Dec 2 - Today I celebrate ... old houses and their history. A Christmas party at the Dowager on Queen Street. She's looking mighty fine.
Dec 3 - Today I celebrate ... an act of creativity. How sweet to see the enjoyment on shut-in Aunt Eileen's face, when we brought breakfast to her. We cooked up bacon and eggs on a griddle in her suite. Her comment: "Gawd, I love bacon!"
Dec 4 - Today I celebrate ... being able to fly to Regina (instead of driving icy roads), and finding my books on the shelf at the Book and Briar.
Dec 5 - Today I celebrate ... facilitating a good session despite last minute surprises and the hotel's overlapping commitments. Tough to stay focused when the staff is dismantling tables around you.
Dec 6 - Today I celebrate ... that a lengthy fall project (video editing and the production of a demo DVD) is done. Whoohoo!
Dec 7 - Today I celebrate ... warm greetings from old colleagues. That's a big part of why I enjoy CAPS (Canadian Association of Professional Speakers) conventions.
Dec 8 - Today I celebrate ... a quiet dinner with colleague, Jim. A chance to catch up on news and support a good friend.
Dec 9 - Today I celebrate ... my buddy, Kit, being honored with the Spirit of CAPS award. No one deserves it more.
Dec 10 - Today I celebrate ... the joy of working with a coach on my presentation content. Carla was fun and creative. She drew that creativity out of me.
Dec 11 - Today I celebrate ... airline schedules that let me use a gap in the timing to take my kids to dinner in Calgary.
Dec 12 - Today I celebrate ... the on again / off again nature of some speaking engagements. Let me not get too attached to plans that bend in the wind.
Dec 13 - Today I celebrate ... flexibility. Yes, I missed attending a Christmas social but I gave my youngest a much-needed assist. Choice well made.
Dec 14 - Today I celebrate ... the discovery of a kindred professional spirit - Jessica de Groot has been working on life balance for the last couple of years, and my work caught her eye. We had a great conversation. Who knows where it may lead?
Dec 15 - Today I celebrate ... the joy of a great novel. I'm absolutely enthralled by The Memory Keeper's Daughter.
Dec 16 - Today I celebrate ... the fact that Tim Horton's IS open for business at 2:30 in the morning when you really need a cup of coffee to see you through a long delayed flight arrival.
Dec 17 - Today I celebrate ... a fine dinner with good friends and the continuous pursuit of creativity and innovation that is a hallmark of their lives.
Dec 18 - Today I celebrate ... the serendipitous moment. I stand from my desk, stretch, look out the window at the exact moment that a winter white weasel skims across the surface of the backyard snow. Did I really see it? Did it really happen? Yes and yes. There lies the trail and the tale.
Dec 19 - Today I celebrate ... the completion of an 11 segment slide show with the highlights of Tristan and Marc's wedding. After having spent some 18 hours pulling it together, today it goes by courier to Newfoundland.
Dec 20 - Today I celebrate ... lunch with Linda followed by drinks with the GEMS. Friends matter so much.
Dec 21 - Today I celebrate ... progress on my presentation coaching and also on the promotion brochure. 2007 will be an awesome business year. I know it.
Dec 22 - Today I celebrate ... the literally 'just in time' delivery of the DVD in time for the Newfoundland wedding reception. Today I appreciate Canada Post keeping its promise.
Dec 23 - Today I celebrate ... the fact that every neighbour to whom I delivered a hand made Christmas table centre was at home. A new record and some good visits to boot.
Dec 24 - Today I celebrate ... a Christmas Eve service at the cathedral with Lindsay at my side.
Dec 25 - Today I celebrate ... yet one more Christmas at the farm. Though today we are half the usual numbers, we are still a family filled with the spirit of love - from Newfoundland to Ontario to Arizona to Alberta.
Dec 26 - Today I celebrate ... the relaxed and easygoing pace of Boxing Day. Time to savor the presence of those we love - to sink into the moment.
Dec 27 - Today I celebrate ... the luxury of a mid day nap with nothing that has to be done. No preparations, no deadlines - just permission to slip into the easy chair and drift off to sleep.
Dec 28 - Today I celebrate ... the memory of Uncle Mont who passed away five years ago today. What wonderful times we shared in all those Labor Day visits. I can still hear his hearty guffaws as he read the funny papers.
Dec 29 - Today I celebrate ... having our eldest and her new husband home for the holidays. Though Christmas Day and its excitement are behind us, their presence is the best gift of all.
Dec 30 - Today I celebrate ... a leisurely launch to the day in the company of those I love. French toast, bacon, coffee and most importantly, heartfelt conversation.
Dec 31 - Today I celebrate ... all the goodness in my life. Family, friends, health, wealth, prosperity, and the good fortune to be born and raised in this peaceful part of the world. What a year! What a blessing! What a life!
© 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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