Dear Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson

I wanted to write a post to Katheryn Hudson known to the world as Katy Perry after spending my birthday (and celebrating my daughter's 10th) at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento to WITNESS her latest tour spectacle. I brought along my 15 year sold step-daughter and both girls enjoyed their very first concert.

This is a post of gratitude. 

Dearest Katheryn,

As a parent (and step-parent) of girls it is important that they have real role models. I work hard to lead by example but girls like to rebel against their mother's best efforts and guidance to forge their own path. I did it (sorry mom) and now so are my girls.They need to look to strong women outside of their home. That someone was you on the stage in Sacramento, swathed in sequins and Swarovski crystals. My girls hung on your every word and I was impressed by the series of messages you had throughout the show.

Clearly you are talented and creative but I was so pleased and inspired to see what a great sense of humor you have and a humbleness and wisdom that only comes from experience and getting kicked around by life and loved ones and getting up again, stronger and better. 

The call to your father was a great example. It is a sweet, humorous gesture that had an impact on my girls. To remind everyone in the audience to spend more time with loved ones, to always tell them that you love them was extremely important. It also inspired my girls to turn to me in the midst of your giant telephone moment and tell me that they love me and thank me for bringing them to your show.

After sitting on Saturn and orbiting over our heads you chose that boy from the audience and discussed the importance of collective energy, positive energy, intention, and putting it out there for manifestation by wishing on your star, again so eloquently done dripping in diamond hair, a silver sequin bodysuit and sparkle intergalactic footwear. I trust someone in sequins over an asshole in a suit any day and apparently so do my girls. Your discussion about material items not being the symbol of success but how happiness is truly all that matters in this life was a poignant one. It is sad that many (including your on stage guest) envy the fame and fortune you have but fail to see the other side of the proverbial coin. The shit you take, leeches you deal with, things you have sacrificed to be in the position you are in.  It was striking when above all your declaration of happiness is all that matters. These statements resonated immediately and I could see it in my girls eyes. All that society celebrates isn't what is important at all, but their eyes collectively glaze over when I start preaching about this simple truth but somehow your message got though to them. 

 And most of all, Thank you for sharing your music, joy, pain, talents and triumphs with the world. The look on my daughters face is the most meaningful manifestation of your work. The people you help with your lyrics/music and message. The girls self esteem you assist in building. The people going through hard times that your songs uplift and elevate. The singers, songwriters, poets and performance artists that you inspire to keep following their dreams.

When we put ourselves out there what we risk in vulnerability and judgment pales in comparison to the happiness and inspiration we can give to others. So when you feel unmotivated, judged, exhausted and wonder why the hell you do all of this whilst icing your knees and rocking those yoga toes .. please remember my daughters photo above and my gratitude as a parent and a woman. The future is FEMALE because of women standing up and sharing their truth, lessons, mistakes and inspiring those to do the same, to heal and to live their best lives.

I wish I could have said all of this to you in person in Sacramento ... next time.

Thank you.

Gratitude Gifts

We are in the home stretch, the final week of school and summer is literally days away. At the end of another year I have time to take pause and reflect on everything that has happened. My son with Down Syndrome was included in a General Educational classroom setting with the proper behavioral and academic supports and my daughter spent an amazing year in the third grade, achieving countless awards and spreading her wings performing in the school talent show.

It was a great year of ups and downs and delightfully more ups! The end of the year is a great time for "Gratitude Gifts" for all of the teachers and staff who had a hand in my children's education this year.

This year I chose special, bright colored and delicate Orchids for my son's main teacher and his para educator or aide.

The homemade cards say "Thank You for helping me grow" - Love Blake 2016/17 with images. I created them on my computer, printed and laminated them.

For the service providers (Speech & Occupational Therapy) I purchased locally made bath bombs from Babylonian Soap Company in Morro Bay, CA. The bath bombs were freshly made this past Friday and ready for these ladies to relax in a well deserved hot bath. Self care as a woman in any occupation is so essential.

I also made their cards that say YOU ARE THE BOMB!

I also purchased a Japanese Plum Blossom VOLUSPA candle from the soap company as well for my daughters teacher.

Signed, SCENTcerely, Kaleigh. 

The VOLUSPA scented candles are my personal FAV now! (I purchased a Sugar Plum scent at Christmas from Babylonian soap company).

Sharing gratitude is something we should do everyday to everyone we encounter. At this time of year it is hard working teachers and support staff who deserve the recognition!  Don't restrict yourself to just a purchased gift if that is not what is available to you. There are so many amazing DIY crafts, homemade cards and more that you can tailor to your teachers!

Check out these Apple Themed Gifts from "Teacher Appreciation Week" that you could create for end of the year gratitude gifts! Tori Spelling share's some great ideas on EdiTORIal HERE (I love the tote bags and apple stamps)

How will you share your gratitude? 

The WRITE Thing To Do

November 11th marks a significant day in the year, a day of remembrance, gratitude and respect. As a Canadian living in the United States I have a unique view of this day from both sides. In the US, California specifically the schools are closed on Veterans day. I assumed naturally so the kids could stay home, participate in local Veterans day events, pay respects to their veterans and not have their head stuck in their iPhones. When I was in elementary school in Canada we ALWAYS went to school. We attended assembly's, listened to a live performance of 'Taps', recited "In Flanders Fields" and really honored our veterans and active service members together as a school. So in lieu of ceremony like I have had in my past, my children, husband and I spent part of the afternoon writing gratitude letters to the soldiers. My husband and I provided our own historical lessons to the children as well.

When is the last time you wrote a hand written thank you card, note or letter to anyone? Have you ever expressed your gratitude to a soldier?

I write personal thank you cards and notes all the time but I can't remember the last time I wrote a letter to anyone and shamefully I have never written to a soldier. We all love to feel appreciated and our efforts valued. Soldier's efforts are on another level from anything we as civilians can imagine. I can sit and type on this fabulous computer in the comfort of my own home because other human beings gave up their comforts to secure mine. Some lost their lives and others returned home forever changed. I have sincere gratitude for what they have done but unexpressed I feel like it means very little, I had to do the 'write' thing.

So the way we celebrated Veterans day was to write a gratitude letter to one Canadian soldier and one American soldier. 

My kids decorated their cards/letters. 

My husband poured his heart out of his pen. My teenage step son would not let any of us read his but fully participated in the experience and said that he learned a lot during the time we spent. Much of the information we discussed is sadly absent from the History lessons in school.

Writing a letter to a stranger was an interesting exercise all on it's own. The time spend bonding with our children, talking about both countries history in combat and socially was something that I will always remember and continue to do each year. 

Message from my 5 year old: "Thank you for keeping us safe"

Expressing your gratitude and thankfulness to everyone, everyday is ALWAYS the right thing to do!

Do you want to send a Christmas Card? or a note of gratitude to a soldier? Here is where we sent ours!

Canada:

Red Fridays Foundation of Canada

Christmas Cards to the troops

398 Charrington Ave 

Oshawa, Ontario 

L1G 7B2

Will you do the 'write' thing?

Gratitude: Look Inward

I have not been posting lately as I am preparing for the next chapter of my life in a sense. A physical move into a new home and a new showroom space for Evolution Vintage.  I have also been mentally preparing to push my business aspirations forward along with my physical well being complete with a spiritual shift. This complied with 4 children (2 bio & 2 step) leaves little time to indulge in my love for writing/blogging.. but I promise I will be back soon.

In the meantime we should all take pause to be grateful for our lives.  The tragedy in Boston is the most recent reminder at just how short our lives can be.  Do you have a difficult time trying to find something in life to be grateful for?

My cousin shared this amazing quote recently on her Facebook page and I am compelled to share it here:

"If you have nothing to be grateful for - check your pulse" ~ Author Unknown 

It is easy to be grateful for all the material things that surround us in life, but taking time to be grateful for living or life itself requires you did a little deeper. It is also very rewarding.  Look inward and all the treasures you seek are all ready there. Enjoy!

I am excited for the new chapter in my life, complete with a daily gratitude ritual for myself, husband and children. No TV at mealtimes means an opportunity to promote dialogue about gratitude in all of our lives. I am excited to hear what everyone shares each day about what/whom they are grateful for!

2012 Gratitude

As the year comes to a close I have to say I do spend the last few days in a deep reflective mode.  Thanking everyone who has supported me this year, through this journey and expressing my gratitude wherever I can. I have had a tough year in some respects; the loss of family members, friendships coming to an end, stress in personal life and in business. No one has a perfect life but many are too focused on what is wrong rather than what is right.

I create a gratitude list for myself. It helps me truly focus on what, in this last year I am truly thankful for and to create my goals for 2013. My gratitude lists are simple. I choose 5 or 6 BIG things and write a statement for each. I also write myself a statement.

I review my list and then file it for times that I feel stuck, pissed off, or frustrated. I read it and end up feeling silly that a person or situation caused me to be upset at all and waste TIME. The most precious commodity we all have.

Are you ready to make your list? 

My List:

1a) FAMILY - My husband and children who love and support me. I am thankful for their health and who they are.

1b) Extended Family - My mom, dad, grandmother, sister, nieces and nephew. All of my cousins. I am grateful for their presence in my life which has shaped who I am.

2) FRIENDS - NEW and old. I am grateful to those who have revealed who they are through both word and deed this year.  I am grateful for the love and support I receive from the 'positive' ones.

3) CREATIVITY - Listening to my inner voice and acting on my creative impulses - win or loose - has helped me this year. May my creative cup be full and my voice never silent.

4) TIME - I am thankful for the time I have been given. Time to create, to love my family/friends, and to choose. I am thankful for my alone time and my family time.

5) NATURE - All elements of nature forever serve to inspire me. Inspire me to create, to live better and to do better.

6) CHANGE - Without change there can be no growth.

Statement: I look optimistically toward 2013 - I CHOOSE to look for the joy, the opportunities and the love. I choose to embrace it all with grace and gratitude.

BLOG GOAL: To continue to write my blog in the hopes of empowering and/or inspiring my readers. At the  very least the provision of entertainment to those who stumble upon my little digital space. 

What's on your gratitude list? Do you make resolutions or goals as a new year approaches?

Giving Thanks

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving in America. Words alone could never convey the gratitude I have for my life and all of the people in it, both friends and family. As I begin to prepare my VEGAN meal for my family I am left thinking about this countries history and that of my native country Canada (who celebrates their Thanksgiving in October). I guess we all get so bogged down with "tradition" and social norms we never sit and realize how this celebration came to be or even stop to give gratitude to those who were forced to sacrificed their lives and land so we could sit up to our tables today with our loved ones. I think about the millions of slaughtered Turkeys and all of the Natives who lost their land and lives so "we" could call this country OURS. I had to share this statement by Russell Simmons as it really spoke to me today.

"I hope everyone has a wonderful time today with their family and friends, while reflecting on all the things they have to be thankful for. 

In my house, however, we’ll be doing things a little bit differently than most Americans. Instead of eating Turkey flesh, we’ll be chowing down on some delicious Tofu Turkey. And instead of celebrating the story of the Pilgrims, we’ll be reflecting on how the kindness of the Wampanoag tribe who helped them got paid back with enslavement, violence and death.

I don’t say that to judge what anyone else is doing today, but rather to explain why sometimes I have a hard time “celebrating” a day that’s built around the enslavement and impoverishment of indigenous Americans and the annual slaughter of millions of innocent animals.

So today, try to take a moment from your celebration and at the very least be mindful of the suffering the Wampanoag and so many other Native Americans went through. And then take another moment to reflect on the suffering that turkey on your plate must have gone through too. 

No matter what you end up eating and how you end up celebrating today, please have a safe, relaxing and loving time with you family and friends. But please also take that moment to reflect on the real stories behind this “Holiday.” You owe it to the Native Americans, the turkeys and yourself." - Russell Simmons

Enjoy each moment today regardless of your beliefs or traditions. Express your gratitude each and every day to those who you love and to strangers as well. Never forget to say "Thank You" every time someone does something for you, no matter how big or small. I am appalled to see how many people do not thank others or are devoid of simple manners. DO for others and be the example of compassion for all living things. Count your blessings and share them with others. The capacity to do so is what you REALLY should be giving thanks for.

Let today inspire the gratitude you should have all year long!

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." ~ 

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Thanks

Thanksgiving (and other holidays)always makes me stop to take a life inventory; count my blessings and share my gratitude with everyone in my life. I'm left wondering why we all don't do this all year? It literally took me a few moments to tweet, update facebook status, send a group MMS and make a few calls to say "Thank You" and "I Love You". During the holiday season I really do take time to look around. I have observed that people are much more polite, courteous, thoughtful, expressive and kind. I wonder why it takes a Hallmark holiday to make us all become human again (this includes the Christmas holiday season which I guess in America officially starts tomorrow, Black Friday style!).

Today, again I am going to take this digital opportunity to say THANKS to everyone who has blessed my life; my beautiful children Kaleigh Rain and Blake, my amazing husband who loves and supports me like no other, my family and friends spread throughout North America .... The Canucks and Yanks. I am also going to make a pledge to be more aware and expressive regarding my gratitude. The best gift I was given; this amazing life I have (thanks mom). I am completely guilty of letting my fast paced life sweep me away in a sea of responsibility, work and obligation with perceived little time left for expressing my appreciation to those who are a part of my universe. This also extends to random strangers and 'the little things'. There are really no excuses not to be present, slow down and say THANKS.

Life is full of struggle, tough times, disappointments and not so amazing moments but it is the thankfulness and appreciation for the great ones that makes life a truly extraordinary experience! NONE of us navigate this life alone. So THANK YOU to all of you who have loved me, helped me, laughed and cried with me, supported me and those who continue to travel with me down my path!

Gratitude

Gratitude. An emotion often felt but not expressed often enough in words and even less in gesture or action. I have just celebrated one of the most joyous and suffered one of the most traumatic moments in my life. The birth of my son Blake. I had a very fast and traumatic natural delivery which left my new born son blue, virtually lifeless and fighting to breath in the NICU. What was anticipated by me to be one of the happiest days of my life ended up being one of the most stressful and horrifying quite frankly.

Now that the initial shock has worn off, oxygen tubes removed and Blake has been safely delivered to his new home I have had time to reflect on my personal gratitude, blessings and gifts.

My gratitude extends beyond the delivering midwife, nurses at French Hospital and those in the special care nursery who cared for Blake 24/7 (literally). My eternal gratitude goes to my chosen family of Central Coast Sisters who unselfishly sprung into action to help me start picking up the pieces and ensuring that structure that surrounded me stayed strong. I did not have the strength from my little mini-alcatraz a.k.a. hospital bed to express my gratitude, until now.

THANK YOU - for the visits, lunches, laughs, gifts and TIME. For cleaning my home, doing my laundry and grocery shopping. For the food in the freezer, flowers and hugs. The Half Black/Half passion, no sugar. For the available ear to listen, the shoulder to cry and the warm arms I needed to hold me when my husbands were too exhausted. For the positive energy, prayer and vibes sent to me every moment of every day. For all this and more I am sincerely GRATEFUL.

I raise my glass to the following special ladies in my life



who each in their own fabulous ways have helped me through this time and enriched my life in general.










Thank you Maggie (Hair Stylist extraordinaire) for making a house call, reviving my locks, bringing dinner, clothes for Blake and so much support and LOVE! xo I now feel like a human being again ... one with fabulous hair ;) xo



A shout out to my digital support team! Thank you for all the lovely messages, texts, BBM's, Tweets and Facebook messages during the dark days and beyond. Even though we were geographically separated your love and support was felt each day; JESSIE, CHELSA, CINDY, LAURA, NICOLE, KERRY, My cousins/brothers: CHRIS & COLIN, JO JO, KRISTEN, MARIE, .. and my Facebook and Twitter Family. I can honestly say that your wishes, prayers and positive energy helped and reached us.


To My Sister Lori; My gratitude can never really be expressed in words for your grand gesture of love to our family. Jumping on a plane and flying 2,700 miles at first word that Blake's situation was less than ideal is amazing! You left your busy life that is full of responsibly to your job(s), kids and derby team to come and help with Kaleigh, tend to my household, make me laugh and cheer me. Most of all unselfishly lending your ear and heart to my feelings and struggle. I will be eternally thankful for both your actions and words during this time.



To my Mother; I can never properly articulate my gratitude for all your help during this time and over my entire life. You have always been there for me and I am FOREVER thankful to you and your generous heart and soul. You have been an amazing mother to me and Lori and an even more amazing grandmother (Nanny) to Kaleigh and Blake. I love you.




Special Thanks to TORI and KIMORA who have taken the time to inquire about Blake, provide words of support and encouragement and illustrate through words and action what amazing women they are.





HAVE YOU THANKED THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE WHO HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE? BIG OR SMALL?

Start a gratitude journal today. Each day write at least one thing you are grateful for. At the end of the year you will have at least 365 reasons to celebrate your life and the people in it!

Lisa
OXO

There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed. If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude. ~Robert Brault