The root word of gratitude is grace—a way of living that expresses the inherent understanding of the gift of life. Through the lens of gratitude, we see the gift of life as a fundamental way of navigating our internal and external landscapes. The personal benefits of this practice are many—gratitude elicits feelings of joy, passion, meaning and purpose. Gratitude connects us to others and stops us from ruminating. Gratitude can be an antidote to depression, anxiety, stress and jealousy.
In other words, gratitude is a gift. What are you grateful for?
What I’m Producing
Last week, I launched the Everyday Essentials podcast. The intention of this podcast is to share tips on small steps towards transformation. Each podcast is less than 2 minutes and contains a kernel of information about small steps that go a long way towards making positive change in your life.
Each day of the week has a theme including Mindful Monday, Transformational Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, and Philanthropy Friday.Check out week one, particularly the Everyday Essentials Intro episode with guest host, Greg Holdsman, Creator and Host of Philly Famous Podcast. I thank Greg for teaching me that perfect is the enemy of good and it was time to just get started.
What I’m Contemplating
Last week, Michael Bloomberg gave $1.8 billion to Johns Hopkins for scholarships, the largest gift to an American university in history. As an architect of scholarship programs, I strongly believe in the power of scholarships as a vehicle for educational opportunity for people who otherwise would not have access to a high quality education due to limited financial resources. As a leadership coach and philanthropic advisor, I work with individuals and families to help align their personal, philosophical, and values-based intentions with their community engagement investments of time, talent, treasure, and ties. Read here for more thoughts.
What I’m Reading
As a curious observer,
Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
Everybody has a story and it can be both heart wrenching and beautifully told. An honest testament to the power of education.
As a coach,
A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas
by Warren Berger
A powerful question never sleeps. It can get deep in your head, to the point that you may find yourself working on it both consciously and unconsciously. Keep yourself away from the answers but alive in the middle of the question.
As an entrepreneur,
This is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to See by Seth Godin
Sonder is defined as that moment when you realize that everyone around you has an internal life as rich and as conflicted as yours. Everyone has noise in their heads.
Above it all, I am grateful this experience of life as we know it. It’s the simple things for which I have the most gratitude- the smell of coffee in the morning, the remaining colorful leaves on the trees, the warmth of my yoga studio, and of course, dogs.
CALL TO ACTION
Want to experience more gratitude in your life? Experience gratitude through giving.
Let’s get started!
Schedule your 20 minute complimentary call now.
Click on “schedule a meeting”, then follow the prompts
or call 215-510-0195 directly.
I coach individuals and families on their philanthropic
and community engagement strategy. Let me know how I can help.
I am grateful for authentic connections. I hope to have an opportunity to work together.
Warmly,
Amy Tress Holdsman
President and CEO
Essential Leadership